18 Finance Ministry officials Arrested, as ACC restricts their accounts

18 people have been detained by THE Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in connection with an ongoing investigation into a financial scandal at the Ministry of Finance.

The investigations involve both the misappropriation of public cash and payments made for bogus activities.

The Auditor-General Dr. Dick Sichembe, the Former Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Yamba, the Accountant General Kennedy Musonda, and two Deputy Auditor-Generals named Clara Mazumba and Francis Mbewe are among those detained, according to ACC Head of Corporate Communication Timothy Moono.

Additional individuals detained include the Director of Budget and Economic Affairs, Chomba Kabwe, the Director of Policy and Research, Fides Mulenga, the Principal Accountant for Budget Analysis, Medson Moyo, the Accountant for Budget Analysis, Angela Bwalya, the Director of Local Government and Projects, Mumba Bwalya, the Senior Accountant for Budget Analysis, Edward Zimbizi, the Chief Accountant for Policy, Research, and St.

“The Commission wishes to state that it is not targeting any person at the Ministry of Finance. The investigations are purely professional and based on information of alleged abuse of office and theft of public funds perpetrated by named individuals,” he said.

Mr Moono further clarified that some individuals have voluntarily offered to pay back the funds they illegally received.

“This is provided for under Section 80 of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012,” he said.

Mr Moono said the Commission has subsequently restricted several bank accounts held by individuals suspected to be involved in this saga as part of on-going investigations.