Malawi-Zambia maizegate probe concluded-ACC

Thu, 13 Apr 2017 09:37:03 +0000

By SANDRA MACHIMA

THE Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has concluded investigations into the Zambia-Malawi Maize-gate deal and the findings have been submitted for legal opinion.

Speaking during its first quarterly press briefing yesterday, ACC public relations manager Timothy Moono said public and private officials should see corruption as an affront on socio-economic growth.

Mr Moono said it was the Commission’s desire that the public owned the fight against corruption by getting directly involved in reporting corruption and influencing others to desist from engaging in corrupt practices.

And the ACC has disclosed that investigations into alleged corruption against former Minister of Information and Broadcasting Dr. Chishimba Kambwili and the manner in which National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) awarded a contract worth K100 million to Chinese company were on-going.

Mr Moono further said the Commission’s investigations into allegations of Abuse of Authority of Office at National Savings and Credit Bank Investigations have been concluded and the files had been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions for authority to prosecute, adding that investigations into allegations of mismanagement of funds at the National Youth Development Council (NYDC) involving UPP leader Saviour Chishimba investigations have also been concluded and the case has been submitted for legal opinion.

He also revealed that the alleged corruption in the manner the Zambia Revenue Authority awarded a contract worth K140 million for the design, supply, delivery, installation, supervision, configuration, testing, and commissioning of an invoice management system/ electronic fiscal devices to a named company was still being studied.

Mr Moono said the Commission would continue to discharge its mandate without fear or favour, to ensure a non-selective approach in the fight as recently reaffirmed by President Edgar Chagwa Lungu in his State of the National Address to Parliament on 17th March, 2017.

“It is the Commission’s desire to have a Zambian citizenry engaged in the fight against corruption, and as the Commission we believe that curtailing corruption is not just about punishing the corrupt, but to demonstrate that corruption cannot be tolerated and that it is an undesirable crime in society,” he said.

He said the Commission received a total of 274 reports of suspected corruption during the quarter.

Mr Moono said the Commission had continued to build momentum in its efforts towards preventing the corruption scourge and putting in place transparent and accountable systems of governance.