Maravi

Roads boss arrested

Roads boss arrested
By REBECCA CHILESHE

DRUG Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested Road Development Agency (RDA) director and chief executive, Watson Ng'ambi, for allegedly attempting to obtain over K3.5 billion by false pretences. DEC spokesperson, Rosten Chulu, said in a statement in Lusaka yesterday that the commission’s Anti Money Laundering Investigations Unit arrested Mr Ng'ambi, of plot 23617 Chainama, Lusaka, along with Mulenga Kapembwa, an accountant of 1369, off Palm Drive in Chelston.

The two men have been charged with attempting to obtain money by false pretences. "While acting jointly with others, the suspects instructed National Road Fund Agency to pay contractors, Turner Construction Limited/Bicon Zambia Limited and GM International Limited /Rankin Engineering Associates for the projects they were undertaking in Chingola, Ndola, Choma and Mazabuka respectively.

It was alleged that the accused, with intent to defraud, re-submitted copies of the advance payments already paid to contractors claiming more payment, thereby creating a double payment amounting to K3 595 577 355. Last Sunday, DEC arrested RDA principal engineer, Stephen Petwe for the same offence.

Meanwhile, the DEC in Central Province has arrested Jonathan Tembo, a businessmen of Matero, Lusaka, for trafficking in 75.2 kilogrammes (Kgs) of cannabis. The commission has also arrested Levis Munyika 29, for trafficking in 0.38 grammes of the same drug. Mr Chulu said in North-Western Province, Brighton Katunda, a businessman of Zambezi, was arrested for trafficking in 13.8 kgs of cannabis. In Northern Province, the commission arrested Clever Mulenga, for trafficking in 10kgs of cannabis. In Eastern Province, Yobe Zimba, Charles Banda, Mpande Lombe and Okisensio Lungu were arrested for trafficking in 750 grammes of cannabis.

Others are Tom Tembo, Fides Chisi, Kabwe Chilambwe, and Stanely Bamba, who trafficked 345.2g of cannabis in separate incidents.

Labels: ARRESTS, DEC, ROAD DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

posted by MrK @ 6:57 PM