Former Chama District council secretary incarcerated for corruption

The Lundazi Magistrate Court has convicted a former Chama District Council Secretary and two (2) Constituency Development Fund Committee (CDF) chairpersons for corruption involving over k700,000.00.

Magistrate Edward Chisanga who presided over the case sentenced the trio to 24months simple imprisonment.

In 2019 the Anti- Corruption Commission (ACC) in Chipata arrested and charged Chama District Council Secretary Yaphet Simpamba aged 64, of Serenje, with one (1) count of abuse of authority of office, contrary to section 21 as read with section 41 of the anti- corruption act no. 3 of 2012.

further, Simpamba was arrested and jointly charged with Chama- north CDF committee chairperson, Ancrate Gondwe, 59, of Chama and Chama– south CDF Committee Chairperson, Sam Lungu, 43, of Chama, with two (2) counts of willful failure to follow laid down procurement procedures and guidelines contrary to section 34 (2)(a)(ii) and (b) as read with section 41 of the anti-corruption act no. 3 of 2012.

Anti-Corruption Commission Spokesperson Queen Chibwe has warned all council officials countrywide that it will bring to book any individual found to have abused the CDF or failed to follow the CDF guidelines and procurement procedures.

Meanwhile Mrs. Chibwe says the ACC in chipata has arrested and charged two (2) judiciary officials for corruption.

Mrs Acklina Bwalya, 35, of showgrounds east area, Petauke district and Ms Christabel Nyirenda, 42, of moth area, Chipata are charged with two counts of theft by public servant contrary to section 265 as read together with section 277 of the penal code, chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.

Details in the 1st count are that Acklina Bwalya on dates unknown but between 1st December 2019 and 1st June 2020, in Chipata District, Eastern Province, being a public officer namely a senior local court messenger of Chipata urban local court stole k3, 300.00, which came into her possession, by virtue of her employment.

Details in the 2nd count are that Christabel Nyirenda on dates unknown but between 1st December 2019 and 1st June 2020, in the Chipata District, Eastern Province, being a public officer namely a court clerk of Chipata Urban Local Court stole k2, 200.00, which came into her possession, by virtue of her employment.

Mrs. Chibwe says the duo has since been released on bond and will appear in court soon.