Maravi

ACC nabs Sichone

ACC nabs Sichone
By Times Reporter

THE Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has arrested suspended commissioner of Lands, Frightone Sichone, for alleged abuse of authority of office. And the Task Force on Corruption has recorded a warn and caution statement from former economic advisor to second Republican President, Frederick Chiluba, Donald Chanda. The joint investigation team on the ministry of Lands inquiry arrested Mr Sichone yesterday in Lusaka for abuse of office of authority and charged him with four counts contrary to Section 37 (2) of the ACC Act number 42 of 1996.

Details of the first count are that on April 6, 2006 in Lusaka, Mr Sichone allegedly abused the authority of his office by allocating property number LUS/35210 Mass Media, on title number 49502, to Mizumbi Farms Limited, a company in which he was the co-director and majority shareholder without following procedure, thereby obtaining advantage.

On the second count, Mr Sichone allegedly abused the authority of his office on April 21, 2006 in Lusaka by allocating property number LUS/35211 Mass Media, on title number 50036, to the same company.

Particulars of the third count are that on January 20, 2006 at Lusaka, Mr Sichone allegedly abused the authority of his office by allocating himself property number LUS/35178 Mass Media on title number 75822 without following procedure.

On the fourth count, Mr Sichone on January 20,2006 allegedly abused the authority of his office by allocating himself property number 35185 Mass Media on title number 45036 without following procedure. Mr Sichone was released on police bond and will appear in court today.

Meanwhile, investigations into other cases involving Mr Sichone and officials at the ministry of Lands have reached an advanced stage and more arrests may be effected soon. The commission has so far restricted 114 properties and the process of ascertaining their value and how they were acquired was still continuing.

The commission will like to urge the public with any information in the malpractices at the ministry of Lands to report to ACC as such will assist the team conclude investigations promptly.
In the matter involving Mr Chanda, Task Force acting public relations officer, Victor Makai, said the former economic aide to Dr Chiluba was warned and cautioned on five counts of abuse of authority of office concerning the Carlington maize deal.

He was alleged to have arbitrarily authorised the diversion of $1 million to a lobby contract between January 1 and December 1, 1998. Mr Makai said Mr Chanda was also warned and cautioned for allegedly receiving $9,999 cash and £580 from Carlington as an inducement or reward.

He was further alleged to have abused authority of his office by entering into a consultancy contract with Carlington, a matter that was prejudicial to the interest of the Government of the republic of Zambia.

Following the warn and caution statement recorded, Mr Makai said the matter had now been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions for further instructions.

Labels: ACC, CORRUPTION, FRIGHTONE SICHONE, MINISTRY OF LANDS

posted by MrK @ 3:30 PM