Maravi

Probe team warn, caution Andrew

Probe team warn, caution Andrew
By Bright Mukwasa
Wed 30 May 2012, 13:29 CAT

FORMER president Rupiah Banda's son, Andrew, was yesterday warned and cautioned by the investigative wings for allegedly soliciting for payment from an Italian construction firm and over money suspected to be proceeds of crime.

And the investigative wings also formally charged Zhongui Mining Company, through their lawyer Bonaventure Mutale, for alleged corrupt practices with former mines minister Maxwell Mwale.

Investigative wings in late April interrogated Andrew, who is also deputy High Commissioner to India, for allegedly soliciting for a cut from Italian construction company, Fratelli Locci for a road contract transaction entered into with the government, and over money suspected to be proceeds of crime, allegations he denies.

Investigative wings spokesperson Namukolo Kasumpa said Andrew appeared before the probe team where he was warned.

Kasumpa said Andrew had been cautioned for allegedly soliciting and receiving gratification contrary to the anti-corruption Act No 3 of 2012 and for being in possession of property suspected of being proceeds of crime contrary to section 71(1) of forfeiture of proceeds of crime Act No. 19 of 2010.

"Mr Banda is alleged to have solicited a two per cent payment from an Italian Construction Company against payment received from the Road Development Agency on both current and future projects. The solicitation is alleged to have been by way of an agreement dated 22nd June 2011 signed by Mr Banda and Antonelli Locci and witnessed by Mr Banda's daughter," Kasumpa told journalists yesterday.

"Mr Banda further failed to account for the deposits made to his Stanbic Bank personal account amounting to K360,330,000. The money is suspected to be proceeds of crime."

His lawyer Sikota told The Post early this month that investigative wings have asked Andrew to submit a long list of things he used to buy in his house.

And Kasumpa said Zhongui Mining Company and Mwale would appear in court on Friday, June 1, for alleged corrupt practices with a public officer contrary to section 19(2) as read with section 40 and 46 of the anti-corruption Act No. 38 of 2010.

"Particulars of the offence are that on dates unknown but between July 1, 2011 and August 31, 2011 at Lusaka district, Zhongui Mining Company corruptly gave K473,466,485 million as gratification to one honourable Maxwell Moses Boma Mwale, a former minister in the Ministry of Mines as inducement or reward for the awarding of Mining Prospecting Licences for its mines in North Western Province and other subsidiaries," said Kasumpa.

Mwale is already facing cases in court for alleged abuse of public resources.

Labels: ANDREW BANDA, BONAVENTURE MUTALE, CORRUPTION, COURTS, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 3:02 AM