ACC DIRT EXPOSED
…how former Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya was maliciously prosecuted
By OLIVER SAMBOKO
THE fall of former Minister of Health, Dr Chitalu Chilufya was orchestrated and masterminded by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) which decided to arrest and prosecute him even though there was no evidence against him, a leaked audio recording of a highly classified meeting at the ACC, has revealed.
In the audio, which appears to have been recorded during a meeting to review the case of the then minister, it is apparent that the officers did not have any evidence to take to court but were being forced to do so.
This was a meeting leading to the arrest and prosecution of Dr Chilufya, whose case in court fell apart after ACC failed to show that his properties were proceeds of crime.
In the audio, the team briefs then acting ACC Director General, Rosemary Kuzwayo, that the evidence is not sufficient to take Dr Chilufya to court because their finding was showing that he had the means to acquire the properties in question.
One officer could be heard saying the issue they were struggling with was that the investigations team did what it could do, but the evidence was just not sufficient to proceed with an arrest or to go to court.
“The concern is, why are we going ahead without evidence? All cases at ACC go to the DPP for legal opinion. It is worrying that there were already indications and opinion that we should proceed.
“We want to arrest someone when there is no evidence that he has committed an offence,” one officer complained.”
The legal team advised that the case be taken to the DPP for advice but this idea was shot down by the acting DG who asked the team if all cases go to the DPP.
One officer was heard asking if there was anyone pushing the ACC over the case.
Ms Kuzwayo challenged the team if it was all cases that went to the DPP?
The officer answered that they would be cited for malicious prosecution.
The ACC decided to go ahead to proceed in the public interest.
Another officer wondered why they were moving at jet speed and if there was someone pushing them.
Ends.
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