ACC nab Mwansabombwe MP, wife for abuse of authority

Anne Mwitwa Mwewa picture by State House

The Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested Mwansabombwe Member of Parliament Rodgers Mwewa and his wife Anne Mwitwa for Abuse of Authority of Office.

Mwewa, 43, and Mwitwa, 35, both of House No. 4061 Musengele Road Sunningdale were arrested today and Mwewa has been charged with One (1) Count of Abuse of Authority of Office, while Mwitwa has been charged with Seven (7) Counts of Abuse of Authority of Office contrary to Section 21(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012 of the Laws of Zambia.

Details in the first count are that Mwewa, on diverse dates but between 14^th April 2012 and 31^st August 2013 in Kawambwa, Luapula Province, being a Public Officer, namely Member of Parliament for Mwansabombwe Constituency and/or Councillor by virtue of being a member of the Constituency Development Committee for the aforesaid Constituency, jointly and whilst acting together with other unknown persons, abused the authority of his office as Member of Parliament when he imposed the purchase of a Toyota Hiace Van Chassis No. RZH125-4005395, 2000 Model which was converted into an ambulance, using Constituency Development funds and subsequently influenced the decision of the Tender Committee of the Kawambwa District Council to award the contract for the said minibus to his brother Thomson Mwewa at the cost of K 220, 000 an act preducial to the rights or interests of the Government and the people of Mwansabombwe.

Meanwhile, Ms Anna Mwitwa is in Count (1) on diverse dates but between 1^st October 2013 and 31^st December 2013, in Kitwe, being Public Officer, namely Permanent Secretary-Administration at Cabinet Office, jointly and whilst acting together with other unknown persons, abused the authority of her office when she awarded a contract worth K888, 374 to Rolly’s Catering Services without following the laid down procedures and/or guidelines, an arbitrary act prejudicial to the rights or interests of the government or any other person.

In Count 2 the details are that Mwitwa, on diverse dates but between 1^st October 2013 and 31^st December 2013, in Kitwe, being Public Officer, namely Permanent Secretary-Administration at Cabinet Office, jointly and whilst acting together with other unknown persons, abused the authority of her office when she awarded a contract worth K142, 000 to Hostels Board of Management without following laid down procurement procedures and/or guidelines, an arbitrary act prejudicial to the rights or interests of the government or any other person.

In Count 3 the details are that Mwitwa, on diverse dates but between 1^st October 2013 and 31^st December 2013, in Kitwe, being Public Officer, namely Permanent Secretary-Administration at Cabinet Office, jointly and whilst acting together with other unknown persons, abused the authority of her office when she awarded a contract worth K 500, 000 to Nobutula Lodge without following the laid down procurement procedures and/or guidelines, an arbitrary act prejudicial to the rights or interests of the government or any other person.

In the 4^th Count, the details are that Mwitwa, on diverse dates but between 1^st October 2013 and 31^st December 2013, in Kitwe, being Public Officer, namely Permanent Secretary-Administration at Cabinet Office, jointly and whilst acting together with other unknown persons, abused the authority of her office when she awarded a contract worth K 179, 984. 70 to Sherbourne Farms Limited without following the laid down procurement procedures and/or guidelines, an arbitrary act prejudicial to the rights or interests of the government or any other person.

In Count 5, the details are that Mwitwa, on diverse dates but between 1^st October 2013 and 31^st December 2013, in Kitwe, being Public Officer, namely Permanent Secretary-Administration at Cabinet Office, jointly and whilst acting together with other unknown persons, abused the authority of her office when she awarded a contract worth K 225, 000 to Rosewood Place without following the laid down procurement procedures and/or guidelines, an arbitrary act prejudicial to the rights or interests of the government or any other person.

In Count 6 the details are that Mwitwa, on diverse dates but between 1^st October 2013 and 31^st December 2013, in Kitwe, being Public Officer, namely Permanent Secretary-Administration at Cabinet Office, jointly and whilst acting together with other unknown persons, abused the authority of her office when she awarded a contract worth K 300, 000 to Vogue Afrique without following the laid down procurement procedures and/or guidelines, an arbitrary act prejudicial to the rights or interests of the government or any other person.

In Count 7 the details are that Mwitwa, on diverse dates but between 1^st October 2013 and 31^st December 2013, in Kitwe, being Public Officer, namely Permanent Secretary-Administration at Cabinet Office, jointly and whilst acting together with other unknown persons, abused the authority of her office when she awarded a contract worth K 290, 000 to Hotel Edingburgh without following the laid down procurement procedures and/or guidelines, an arbitrary act prejudicial to the rights or interests of the government or any other person.

Rodgers Mwewa and Anna Mwitwa Mwewa have both been released on bond and will appear in Court on 18^th May 2015, and 25^th March 2015 respectively.

This is contained in a statement issued to QFM News by ACC Public Relations Manager Timothy Moono.