By Mubanga Mubanga
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has arrested and charged Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA) Director General Kenneth Nyundu for corruption involving over K700, 000.00.
Nyundu, of Chalala in Lusaka, has been charged with three counts of abuse of authority of office contrary to Section 21(c) of the Anti-Corruption Act Number 3 of 2012.
The allegation in the first count is that Nyundu on dates unknown but between February 5, 2020 and July 30, 2022 in Lusaka, jointly and whist acting together with other persons unknown, with intent to deceive or defraud, made a false document namely Performance Based Contract dated February 5, 2021, a contract allegedly to have been made between WARMA and himself and purporting to show that he was entitled to 20 percent housing allowance and 35 percent vehicle allowance, net of tax of his basic monthly salary when in fact not.
In the second count, the allegation is that Nyundu on dates unknown but between February 5, 2021 and July 30, 2022 in Lusaka, knowingly and fraudulently uttered to Joe Kalusa Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation, a false document namely Performance Based Contract dated February 5, 2021, a contract allegedly to have been made between WARMA and himself and purporting to show that he was entitled to 20 percent housing allowance net of tax and 35 percent vehicle allowance net of tax of his basic monthly salary when in fact not.
The allegation in the third and last count is that Nyundu on dates unknown but between February 5, 2021 and July 30, 2022 in Lusaka, dishonestly obtained an accumulated sum of K709,366.92 as vehicle allowance from WARMA by falsely pretending that he had purchased a Toyota Hilux from a named car dealer when in fact not.
The arrest of the suspect followed investigations conducted on an allegation that he made a false document, namely his contract of employment and inserted the words ‘net of tax’ to the false contract document and this triggered payment to him of more money in allowances which he was not entitled to.
It is also stated that although Nyundu was entitled to a vehicle allowance, this was only to be effected when he purchased a Personal to Holder Motor Vehicle.
However, it is alleged that Nyundu did not purchase a Personal To Holder Motor Vehicle but was using an institutional vehicle, instead presented to WARMA a contract of purchase of a vehicle from a named car dealer purporting to show that he had purchased a vehicle when in fact not.
The suspect has been released on bond and is expected to appear in court soon, according to a statement issued by head of corporate communication Timothy Moono.
