ACC in K60m haul, civil servants arrested

ACC in K60m haul, civil servants arrested

By Adrian Mwanza

THE Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has arrested a couple and other Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock officials in connection with the embezzlement of part of a US$10 million loan obtained by government from the African Development Bank (AfDB) in 2019.

It has also restricted 37 properties linked to the suspects comprising of 27 houses, three farms and seven motor vehicles located across the country and valued at K59 million.

The money came under the Strategic Livestock Investment and Management Project (SLIMP).

Emmanuel Chilala, an accountant, has been charged with corrupt acquisition of public property after fraudulently diverting K15.6 million.

His wife, Sharon Hikaumba, 40, a stenographer at the Ministry of Agriculture, has also been charged with three counts of concealment of property suspected to be proceeds of crime.

ACC director general Daphne Chabu said Hikaumba transferred ownership of three motor vehicles valued at K1.5 million to her grandmother and father-in-law.

“Hikaumba has been charged with three counts of concealment of property contrary to Section 36 of the Anti-Corruption Act No.3 of 2012. These charges relate to the alleged fraudulent transfer of ownership of three motor vehicles valued at K1.5 million to her grandmother and father-in-law,” she said.

Chabu said Chilala had been charged with three counts of corrupt acquisition of public property or resources, contrary to Section 34 of the Anti-Corruption Act No.3 of 2012.

She said the charges related to the alleged fraudulent diversion of money totaling K15,640,913.43, which he alleged drew as imprest through his personal account.

Chabu said Chilala was also charged with three counts of possession of property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime contrary to Section 71 of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act No.19 of 2010.

The charges relate to landed properties valued at K4,560,000 and a motor vehicle valued at K200,000.

“Chilala has also been charged with six counts of concealment of property contrary to Section 36 of the Anti-Corruption Act No.3 of 2012 valued at K15,867,000. These charges arise from the alleged fraudulent transfer of ownership of seven properties in Chilanga district to his mother, as well as the transfer of a farm to his father,” Chabu said.

She said the ACC had also arrested Ackim Dedeyo Mwalilino, 32, and Kabemba Mwambilwa, 47, both employees of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.

Mwalilino, an acting livestock research production officer, allegedly diverted part of K4.7 million drawn as imprest through his personal account from SLIMP.

“He is also accused of having property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime,” Chabu said.
Mwambilwa, an assistant director for livestock development, was arrested for Chabu said landed properties valued at K11.9 million, also suspected to be proceeds of crime.

“The ACC has restricted 37 properties comprising of 27 houses, three farms and seven motor vehicles located across the country and valued at K59 million. The total number of suspects arrested in relation to the alleged embezzlement of the US$10 million loan now stands at seven, with investigations still ongoing,” she said.

“ACC is encouraged by the progress made so far, which has been achieved through collaboration with various key stakeholders. The Commission reiterates its unwavering commitment to safeguard public resources and executing its mandate professionally and impartially,” Chabu said.