ACC bemoans corruption increase in public service
By Masuzyo Chakwe
Sun 19 Feb. 2012, 11:59 CAT
THE Anti-Corruption Commission has regretted the increase in the number of corrupt practices involving public service officers.
Announcing the
arrest of a customer service assistant at Public Service and Pensions Fund and a Lusaka resident for corrupt practices, ACC corporate affairs officer Wezzy Chomba stated that the commission had observed with deep regret
the increase in the number of corrupt practices involving public service officers who were supposed to provide services within the confines of their mandate than to take money from vulnerable people such as widows and orphans.
He warned public service officers to desist from engaging in corrupt practices because such activities were detrimental to the provision of equal services to all citizens in Zambia.
Chomba stated that Jusiyele Banda, 42 of house number house number 70/23 New Chawama and an employee of Public Service Pensions Fund and Bright Mukuma, 40 of house number 4705B Mulongoti Road, Matero, Lusaka were arrested and jointly charged with one count of corrupt practices by public officer and private person contrary to section 19(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 38 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia.
He stated that on dates unknown but between January 1, 2012 and February 16, 2012, Banda, being a public officer namely, customer service assistant at Public Service and Pensions Fund, jointly and whilst acting together with Mukuma, a private person and other persons unknown corruptly solicited and actually received K1.5 million cash gratification from a Lusaka widow as an inducement or reward for the duo for having processed terminal benefits for her late husband, a matter of transaction concerning a Public Service Pensions Fund, a public body.
Chomba stated that the duo had been released on bond and would appear in court soon.
Labels: ACC, CIVIL SERVANTS, CORRUPTION, WEZZY CHOMBA
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Sichinga calls for time frame on abuse of funds cases
By Masuzyo Chakwe
Sat 15 Jan. 2011, 04:00 CAT
THERE is need to set a time frame within which investigations involving abuse of public funds should be completed, says Bob Sichinga.
In an interview, Sichinga who is a former parliamentary public accounts committee chairperson said parliamentarians had always been critical of the length it takes to address issues they raised.
He said whenever queries were raised, each ministry was supposed to give an answer on the action it had taken and state the timeframe, which in most cases took longer than the required time.
However, Sichinga said most of the responses were not on the queries and the action taken.
Sichinga said there were many cases pending because there was no law that stipulated the timeframe of investigations.
He said there was no feedback on the process of investigations and what had happened to the people involved.
Sichinga said there was poor and no accountability and queries were gathering dust.
Sichinga’s comments come in the wake of the Anti Corruption Commission’s remarks that investigations into the procurement of police escort vehicles by the Zambia Police were still going on and no arrests had been made so far.
ACC corporate affairs officer Wezzy Chomba on Tuesday said a team had travelled to get the necessary information on the procurement and the results remained in the confinement of the investigative wings.
The investigating wings are probing the police high command for the irregular and overpayment in the purchase of escort vehicles and three bulletproof presidential vehicles in 2006 during the reign of Ephraim Mateyo as inspector general of police and Francis Kabonde as commissioner of police.
Chomba also said investigations into the procurement of hearses at the Ministry of Local Government were still ongoing.
Labels: ROBERT SICHINGA, WEZZY CHOMBA
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ACC arrest Lusaka engineer for corruption involving K12 million
By Chiwoyu Sinyangwe
Wed 21 July 2010, 15:50 CAT
THE Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has arrested a 33-year-old engineer of Lusaka’s Northmead residential area for corrupt practice involving K12 million.
ACC corporate affairs officer Wezzy Chomba stated that Salvator Ndayo Hara of house number 14, Lubambe road, was arrested on Friday July 16, 2010 on two counts of corrupt transactions by private persons contrary to section 31 (i) of the ACC Act chapter 91 of the Laws of Zambia.
Chomba stated that Hara was released on bond and will appear in court for mention and plea this Friday.
He stated that Hara, a former employee of Albidon Limited, was arrested for corruptly soliciting and receiving K10 million cash gratification from a named contractor as an inducement for him to authorize a payment of K49.2 million.
Chomba stated that in the second count, Hara received K2. 1 million gratification from the named contractor as an inducement for him to authorize a payment of K25.7 million.
He stated that the incidents occurred between 2007 and 2008 when Chomba worked for Albidon Zambia Limited.
Chomba also stated that the ACC has arrested Steven Mutale, an acting interpreter of Chililabombwe Subordinate Court for one count of corrupt practices.
He stated that Mutale corruptly received K350,000 cash gratification from Jones Mwale after soliciting for K3 million as an inducement or reward not to execute a bench warrant issued against Mwale, Sydney Makumba and Cheelo Mudenda for contempt of court.
“Mutale has since taken plea before the Kitwe Magistrate court and was released on bail,” stated Chomba.
Labels: ACC, WEZZY CHOMBA
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