The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has arrested and charged four public officers in connection with the alleged misappropriation of part of a USD 10 million loan facility obtained from the African Development Bank (ADB) under the Strategic Livestock Investment and Management Project (SLIMP).
The arrests bring the total number of suspects arrested in the case to seven, as investigations into the alleged abuse of public resources continue.
In a statement issued by ACC Director General, Daphne Chabu, the suspects were apprehended during the second phase of investigations into the alleged diversion of funds from the SLIMP loan, which was secured by government in 2019 to support livestock development.
The Director General noted that among those arrested is Emmanuel Chilala (41), an Accountant at the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, who has been charged with three counts of corrupt acquisition of public property, contrary to the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012.
She said the charges relate to the alleged fraudulent diversion of K15.6 million, which he is accused of drawing as imprest through his personal account from various SLIMP accounts.
Mr Chilala is also facing three counts of possession of property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime, involving landed properties valued at K4.56 million and a motor vehicle valued at K200,000.
In addition, Ms. Chabu said Mr Chilala has been charged with six counts of concealment of property after allegedly transferring ownership of seven properties in Chilanga District to his mother and a farm to his father.
Another suspect, Ackim Mwalilino (32), an Acting Livestock Research Production Officer, has been charged with one count of corrupt acquisition of public property following the alleged diversion of part of K4.7 million drawn as imprest through his personal account.
The Director stated that Mr Mwalilino has further been charged with three counts of possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime, involving assets valued at K3.45 million.
The Commission has also charged Sharon Hikaumba (40), a Stenographer at the Ministry of Agriculture and spouse to Mr Chilala, with three counts of concealment of property, while the charges relate to the alleged transfer of ownership of three motor vehicles valued at K1.5 million to her grandmother and father-in-law.
Meanwhile, Kabemba Mwambilwa (47), an Assistant Director for Livestock Development, has been charged with two counts of possession of property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime, involving landed properties valued at K11.9 million. Ms. Chabu disclosed that a total of 37 properties have so far been restricted in relation to the case, including 27 houses, three farms, and seven motor vehicles located in different parts of the country.
She added that the Commission has expressed satisfaction with the progress made in the investigations, attributing it to collaboration with key stakeholders.
It reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public resources and carrying out its mandate professionally and impartially.
The Director General further revealed that investigations are still ongoing and that the Office of the Auditor General has been engaged to conduct a forensic audit of the SLIMP loan.
The Commission said the audit may lead to the arrest of more suspects as the full extent of the alleged abuse of public resources is established.
