Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
The Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested former Tourism Minister Ronald Chitotela and former Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo.
ACC Spokesperson Queen Chibwe says Mr Chitotela has been arrested in connection with investigations on possession of property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.
Ms. Chibwe says the arrest is in relation to a case in which Mr Chitotela whilst serving as Housing and Infrastructure Minister, was in May 2019 arrested and charged with nine counts of possession of properties reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.
She says a settlement agreement was however entered into between the then Commission management in the previous government and Mr. Chitotela in accordance with Section 80 of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012.
Ms. Chibwe says the said Section under subsection 3 provides that: “the Commission may tender an undertaking, in writing, not to institute criminal proceedings against a person who (a) has given a full and true disclosure of all material facts relating to past corrupt conduct and an illegal activity by that person or others; and (b) has voluntarily paid, deposited or refunded all property the person acquired through corruption or illegal activity..
She however, states that Mr. Chitotela only surrendered a property in Ibex Hill area which was in his wife’s name on which there is an unfinished structure and also paid K100,000 to the State.
Ms Chibwe says the Commission under new Management reviewed the matter and found that the Settlement Agreement was lacking in fulfilling the requirement of the law as provided and Mr. Chitotela is expected to be charged with similar offences.
And Ms Chibwe says Mr. Lusambo, 45, of Chamba Valley area in Lusaka, has been charged with three counts of attempting to interfere with a Witness contrary to section 112 (1) (b) as read with section 389 (1) of the penal code Cap 87 of the laws of Zambia.
Details in the three counts are that, Mr. Lusambo, on dates unknown but between 7th February 2022 and 7th April 2022, in order to obstruct the due course of justice did endeavor to dissuade or prevent three named persons to give evidence as witnesses before a court of law.
Commission Spokesperson Queen Chibwe says Mr. Lusambo has since been detained and will appear in court soon.