ACB moves in on Cashgate suspects’ property

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) says it will move in and block all property belonging to suspects implicated in the free-for-all plunder of public funds, dubbed Cashgate.

But the graft busting body has said only property it believes was acquired fraudulently—also known as Cashgate property—will be affected by the move.

The move comes in the wake of the second round of Cashgate arrests that have happened over the past weeks.

Speaking in an interview yesterday, ACB deputy director Reyneck Matemba confirmed the development, but said he could not divulge more details “as this could hinder the ongoing process of investigations”.

Since late last year police and the ACB have arrested several people who have mainly been charged with theft and money laundering. Their cases are still in court.

The State has so far secured two convictions: former principal secretary for Tourism Tressa Namathanga Senzani and Victor Sithole, a government accounts assistant.

“We are aware that suspects may try to conceal property or try to dispose of such properties as it is being questioned. We have alerted government departments to be on the lookout for certain names whose property is being investigated,” Matemba said.

According to him, suspects have tendencies of disposing of property or trying to change ownership for fear of being caught.

But he said such people will be caught as ACB has “tightened its corners” and is taking such matters seriously.

“I cannot say much on the property in question or other moves, but be rest assured that we know which property belongs to whom and if they try to move or dispose of it, ACB is watching,” Matemba said.

This is not the first time government is taking such a stringent measure.

In October last year, the bureau froze 20 bank accounts belonging to companies it was probing as part of the Cashgate crackdown—within weeks of the scandal breaking.

Then last November, government also announced issuance of a general order that no change of ownership of motor vehicles, houses and plots be made involving civil servants.