The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested Member of Parliament for Mzimba Hora Constituency, Christopher Mzomera Ngwira, for allegedly obtaining money using corrupt means.
In a statement signed by ACB Senior Public Relations Officer Egrita Ndala, on September 7, 2010, the Anti-Corruption Bureau received an allegation that Ngwira presented invoices from YOGI and Mzimba Hardware on pretext that they had supplied building materials for Lukwelukwe School Project which is funded under Local Development Fund (LDF) under M’mbelwa District Council.
According to Ndala, ACB conducted investigations into the matter and established that Ngwira advised the Project Management Committee (PMC) members to sign blank withdrawal slips and told them not to indicate the total amount to be withdrawn. He later indicated K650, 000 on the withdraw form.
“He is reasonably suspected to have committed an offence under Section 27 (2) of the Corrupt Practices Act (CPA) in that he used his influence as Member of Parliament to award a contract for the construction of Lukwelukwe Teacher’s House project under the LDF programme to Louis Mtonga of Taonga Shopping Centre in Mzimba which was supposed to be done by the Project Management Committee.
Ndala further said, Ngwira is also suspected to have committed an offence under Section 271 (2) (e) of the Penal Code in that he on August 2, 2010 at new Building Society (NBS) branch in Mzimba, converted for his own use, money amounting to K650, 000 meant for Lukwelukwe Teacher’s House Project under the LDF programme.
The bureau says it is yet to record a caution statement from Ngwira at a later date after he has found a lawyer. Meanwhile he has been taken to Court for bail application.
