Police still investigating Chaponda office fire
Police have said they are still investigating the fire that destroyed former minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development George Chaponda’s office wing at Capital Hill on February 14 this year.
The fire came barely a few days after findings of a commission of inquiry instituted by President Peter Mutharika recommended that Chaponda be investigated by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) over his questionable conduct in the maize importation deal from Zambia.
Speaking in an interview yesterday, National Police spokesperson James Kadadzera could not specify how long their investigations into the matter would take, but emphasised that they are taking the matter seriously.
“We are still looking into that issue as investigations are still underway and we are working professionally to make sure that we come to a logical conclusion on the issue,” he said.
Kadadzera assured the public that police will uncover the cause of the fire so that everyone knows the truth.
Following the incident, a week later, on February 21 ACB pounced on the beleaguered former minister’s office at Tikwere House and his residence where they confiscated computers and over K120 million in both local and foreign currency.
In an earlier interview, ACB deputy director Reyneck Matemba confirmed that the inspection of some of Chaponda’s assets were being investigated for his suspicious role in the controversial ‘maizegate’ saga.
The fire was not the first of its kind as in 2004 when the late Chakufwa Chihana was minister of Agriculture, the building was also destroyed by fire with the accounts department the hardest hit following suspicions that coupons meant for the poor had been abused.
