By Merlyn Mwanza
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) says Kabushi member of parliament Bowman Lusambo will be committing an offence if he sneaks into his seized house.
Addressing then media today, ACC spokesperson Queen Chibwe stressed that the commission had seized properties worth 22.8 million Kwacha suspected to be proceeds of crime located in Lusaka’s Chamba Valley area belonging to former Lusaka Province minister Lusambo.
“Investigations into this matter are on-going. Following the seizure, Mr Lusambo has not had any access to these properties from the time the properties were seized. If Mr Lusambo sneaks into the house, he will be committing an offence and will face the consequences. In addition, the Commission working with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPWL) has examined the wild animals at Mr Lusambo’s premises and found that the animals are unhealthy and need to be relocated to a more suitable environment. The wild animals include seven (7) Impalas, two (2) Axis deer, two (2) Zebras, two (2) Puku and two(2) Waterbuck. The Commission is also still making efforts through his lawyers to avail him for questioning,” Chibwe said. “The Commission is also aware of some fake news item on Social media alleging that the Commission sent officers to South Africa in an effort to seize properties there suspected to be linked to Mr Lusambo. This story is false, a total fabrication intended to mislead the public and bring the name of the Commission into disrepute.”
Lusambo recently told Daily Revelation that he has been sleeping in his seized house, saying the commission did not contribute a cent to its construction for them to seize it and that he was seeing the police officers guarding his property from inside the house while he slept peacefully, describing them as his guards.
The commission also catalogued some of the high profile corruption cases they have handled in the first quarter of this year, including handing over K65 million and US$57,900 to the government seized from Faith Chisela Musonda in a case of being in possession of property believed to have been proceeds of crime.
“Allow me to also give you a brief status on some of the cases which have been in public domain and which some of you inquired on during the quarter: 1. Alleged possession of suspected proceeds of crime in form of a house at Kingsland City against Margaret Chisela Musonda, alias Faith Musonda. Following her arrest, the Commission has come across additional information in this matter concerning the same Faith Musonda and this information has led to extended investigations. 2. The case of the “48” Houses. A Senior Accountant at the Ministry of Finance Mr Loyana and his wife Mrs. Loyana, an Assistant Accountant at the Ministry of Works and Supply were jointly arrested and charged with two counts of corrupt practices involving concealment and possession of property valued at over K 37 million, properties reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime,” Chibwe said. “The matter is before the Fast Track Court. 3. The Case involving illegal exportation of Mukula logs. The Commission arrested Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) Former Chief Executive Officer Mr Mateyo Kaluba and Zambia National Service (ZNS) Director of Operations Maliwa Muwanei for abuse of authority of office; A Lusaka businessman, Ackson Tembo was also arrested in this same matter involving exportation of Mukula logs without following laid down procedure. The accused persons are yet to appear before the Fast Track Court.”
Chibwe further talked about the possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime against Former Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo and his wife Nancy, saying the duo was arrested by the commission and are currently facing charges of being in possession of property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime worth $378,000.
“The matter is before the Fast Track Court and is coming up on 17th May 2022.5. Possession of property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime amounting to more than US$539,000 against Patriotic Front Acting President Given Lubinda. Mr Lubinda was arrested and charged with the subject offence and is expected to appear before the Fast Track Court on 21st April 2022. 6. The Honeybee Case: The Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) Director- General Bernice Mwale and Principal Regulatory Officer Brian Kabika were arrested and charged with Willful Failure to Comply with Applicable Law and Procedure. The matter is before the Fast Track Courtand it coming up for ruling on 27th April 2022,” Chibwe said. “7. The Social Cash Transfer Case involving former Postmaster General McPherson Chanda, former Finance Director Best Mwaichi and former Director Operations Isaac Kamwimba who were arrested and charged with 13 counts of Theft by Public Servant. The matter is in the Fast Track Court in Ndola. The accused persons were found with a case to answer and put on their defence which is commencing on 21st and 22nd April 2022.”
Chubwe siad the Commission also arrested former Ministry of Health permanent secretary Kennedy Malala and others involving the procurement of 50 ambulances, including the arrest of DBZ managing director Samuel Bwalya for abuse of company financial resources which were used to pay school fees both local anencephaly abroad inviting over K1million.
“10. Possession of properties reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime against a Lusaka Businessman Emmanuel Mugala. This is in connection with possession of over 62 properties in various parts of Lusaka. The suspect was arrested by the Commission and he is expected to appear before the Fast Track Court on 21st April 2022. 11.Investigations into alleged possession and concealment of properties reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime against former State House Press Aide Amos Chanda. Investigations have reached an advanced stage,” she said.
Chibwe urged the public to own the fight against corruption by getting directly involved in reporting all suspected corruption to ACC and influencing others to desist from engaging in corrupt practices.
“Public and private officials should see corruption as an affront on socio-economic growth. It is a cost to everyone and should not be tolerated. The Commission therefore wishes to appeal to members of the public with information of possession of any property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime to report to the nearest Commission offices. A reward will be given upon successful recovery of properties,” said Chibwe.
