Maravi

Cops arrest ex-ZAF chief over K1.5bn

Cops arrest ex-ZAF chief over K1.5bn
By Mwala Kalaluka
Sat 04 Feb. 2012, 13:01 CAT

FORMER Zambia Air Force commander Lieutenant General Andrew Sakala was yesterday arrested and charged by the joint investigative team probing the plunder of national resources for pocketing K1.5 billion meant for the three defence wings last year.

Spokesperson for the combined team comprising officers from the Drug Enforcement Commission, Anti-Corruption Commission and Zambia Police, Charity Munganga-Chanda confirmed the arrest yesterday afternoon.

Lt Gen Sakala appeared before the joint probe team at Lusaka's Woodlands Police Station yesterday morning and drove off from the station at 13: 15 hours.

Munganga-Chanda said Lt Gen Sakala was formally arrested and charged on two counts of theft by public servant and abuse of authority of office after the interrogations.

"The particulars of offence is that last year he received K1.5 billion which was meant for operations of the three wings of the defence, that is Zambia Army, Air Force and Zambia National Service," Munganga-Chanda said.

"He decided to use it K1.5 billion for personal gain. That is what we have arrested him for."

Munganga-Chanda said Lt Gen Sakala had been released on police bond of K50 million and two surieties had signed for him.

"He will appear in court on the 17th of this month February," said Munganga-Chanda.

On Sunday December 11 last year, Lt Gen Sakala's wife, Nesta, trailed and busted him at a girlfriend's house in Ng'ombe compound of Lusaka.

In anger, Nesta said she would disclose all the dealings her husband was involved in to the Drug Enforcement Commission and President Michael Sata.

Labels: ANDREW SAKALA, CORRUPTION

posted by MrK @ 3:27 AM