ACC closes in on Kambwili

Thu, 12 Jan 2017 13:32:51 +0000

AARON CHIYANZO

INVESTIGATIONS on alleged corrupt practices against the former minister Chishimba Kambwili have reached an advanced stage and the findings will soon be presented before the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for commencement of trial, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has said.

Recently, ACC opened an inquiry into corruption allegations against former minister of Information and Broadcasting Mr Kambwili, alleging that he amassed wealth beyond the ordinary income of a public servant.

Mr Kambwili is alleged to be linked to various government contracts and also as a beneficiary of Zambia’s Africa Cup of Nations prize money when he served as sports minister.

And ACC public relations manager Timothy Moono disclosed that the investigations into the matter had reached an advanced stage and that the Commission would soon present their evidence before the DPP for commencement of trial.

Mr Moono explained that the Commission had considered all the possibilities of corruption and that they would be presenting their findings to the DPP soon.

“I can just confirm that the investigations on alleged corrupt practices against Mr Kambwili have reached an advanced stage and the evidence will soon be given to the DPP so that she can give us a go ahead to take the matter to court,” he said.

Mr Moono, however, said at a press briefing that he could not comment further because the matter was still under investigations.

Meanwhile, the family of Mr Kambwili is alleged to have accused President Edgar Lungu of hating the former minister because of the calamities that had befallen him in the recent past.

The once outspoken former minister, who is also Roan constituency member of Parliament (MP), was fired late last year for undisclosed reasons but all indications pointed to his alleged corrupt practices.

Since he was propelled into the ministerial spotlight in 2011, Mr Kambwili’s path has been accompanied by unproven allegations of corruption, involving mostly land and public infrastructure contracts.