A couple along with other officials, have been arrested by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for alleged involvement in the embezzlement of part of a US$10 million loan facility obtained by the Zambian government from the African Development Bank (AfDB) in 2019 under the Strategic Livestock Investment and Management Project (SLIMP).
Emmanuel Chilala, an accountant at the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, has been charged with corrupt acquisition of public property after allegedly fraudulently diverting K15.6 million.
The funds were allegedly drawn as imprest through his personal account from various SLIMP accounts.
His wife, Sharon Hikaumba, a stenographer at the Ministry of Agriculture, has been charged with three counts of concealment of property.
She allegedly transferred ownership of three motor vehicles valued at K1.5 million to her grandmother and father-in-law.
Also arrested are Ackim Dedeyo Mwalilino and Kabemba Mwambilwa, both employees of the Ministry of Livestock.
ACC Director General Daphne Chabu stated that Mr. Mwalilino, an acting Livestock Research Production Officer, allegedly diverted part of K4.7 million drawn as imprest through his personal account from SLIMP.
He is also accused of possessing property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.
Mr. Mwambilwa, an Assistant Director for Livestock Development, has been arrested for possessing landed properties valued at K11.9 million, also suspected to be proceeds of crime.
In connection with the matter, the ACC has restricted 37 properties—comprising 27 houses, three farms, and seven motor vehicles—located across the country and valued at K59 million.
The total number of suspects arrested in relation to the alleged embezzlement of the US$10 million loan now stands at seven, with investigations still ongoing.
By Darius Choonya
