By MAIMBO MWEEMBA
A Former Forestry Department director has been arrested for alleged corrupt practices involving the exportation of Mukula logs worth over K10 million.
Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has arrested and Ignatius Makumba 56 of Lusaka with two counts of Abuse of Authority of Office.
ACC public relations manager Timothy Moono said details in the two counts are that in September 2021, Mr Makumba, as Director of Forestry Department, allegedly abused his office by arbitrarily resolving to regularize an attempted illegal export of 23 containers of Mukula logs.
Mr Moono said this was done through Chirundu Border and 16 containers of the same Mukula logs through Katima Mulilo Border, which were being transported by Ackson Tembo of ACK General Suppliers Limited for export to China.
He said this was an act prejudicial to the interest of the Government of the Republic of Zambia.
Mr Moono also said the Commission has also arrested Ackson Tembo, 40, proprietor of ACK General Dealers, of plot number 7057/M off Mumbwa road in Lusaka, Bruce Aongola 46, of 45 Godfrey Chitalu Road, Nyumba Yanga, Lusaka, and Colonel Maliwa Muwanei, a Zambia National Service Director of Operations.
He said the three have been charged with 39 counts each of attempt to export Mukula logs contrary to Section 91 as read with Section 99 of the Forestry Act No. 4 of 2015 of the Laws of Zambia.
“Investigations have established that between July, 1st, 2021 and 20th August, 2021, Tembo, Aongola, and Muwanei did attempt to unlawfully export 23 containers laden with Mukula logs through Chirundu Boarder and 16 containers laden with Mukula logs through Katima Mulilo borders without the necessary permits and licenses,” he said.
He said Makumba, Tembo, Muwanei and Aongola have all been released on bond and will appear in court soon.
Early this year, the Commission arrested Mr Tembo and charged him with two counts of Conveyancing of Forestry Produce without a License and one count of Unlawful Export of Mukula timber contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
