ACB arrests two councilors and VDC members over LDF funds
The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested two councilors, a chairperson and three members of Village Development Committees (VDC) on suspicion that they abused Local Development Fund (LDF) Funds in MASAF 4 projects at Mulanje District Council.
In a press statement made available to The Nation, ACB senior public relations officer Egrita Ndala said the arrest follows investigations which established that some funds meant for rehabilitation of roads, fish ponds and afforestation at the District Council were abused.
Councilor Biston Chikadewa of Nambilanje Ward, Councilor Samuel Makwinja of Chambe Ward and Newbry Winiko, Chairman for the VDC in Chambe Ward were arrested on Tuesday while Isaac Beston and Robert White, VDC members in Nambilanje Ward were arrested on Wednesday.
“The two Councilors and two Village Development Committee members are likely to be charged with abuse of office, theft, forgery and uttering a false document contrary to Section 25B (1) of the Corrupt Practices Act, 278, 358 and 360 of the Penal Code respectively,” read the statement in part.
Ndala further said Newby Winiko is facing the charge of aiding and abetting a public officer to abuse public office contrary to Section 35 of the Corrupt Practices Act. They will appear in Court after the Bureau has recorded statements from them.
On Monday, ACB arrested Hendrix Laher a Malawian and Esili Kubwimana, Rwandese in connection to the dubious issuance of Malawian passports to people who were not eligible.
The arrest of the two brings to seven the number of people implicated in the passport scandal including People’s party (PP) interim leader Uladi Mussa, chief immigration officer Hudson Mankhwala and regional immigration manager-centre David Kwanjana.
