The Joint Investigations Team (JIT) comprising the Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit (AMLIU) of the Drug Enforcement Commission and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) have arrested former Minister of Community Development and Social Services, Emerine Kabanshi, for abuse of authority of office.
Ms Kabanshi 54, a politician residing at Plot 800, Kanakantapa area in Chongwe District, has been arrested for abuse of authority of office, contrary to the laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offence are that Ms Kabanshi, in her official capacity as Minister of Community Development and Social Services, jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, on dates unknown but between January 1, 2017 and August 21, 2017, in Lusaka did abuse her authority of office by unduly influencing the engagement of Zambia Postal Services Corporation (ZAMPOST) as payment service provider under the Social Cash Transfer Programme.
This act was prejudicial to the interests of the Government of the Republic of Zambia and beneficiaries under the Social Cash Transfer Programme.
Also Ms Kabanshi, on dates unknown but between August 21, 2017 and April 28, 2018, in her official capacity as Minister of Community Development and Social Services did abuse her authority of office by directing the extension of the ZAMPOST Services Corporation scope of works under the Social Cash Transfer Programme to include areas which were not covered in the initial contract.
Further, having probable and justifiable cause to believe that the said contract was duly terminated by the Ministry, Ms Kabanshi did abuse her authority of office by directing the rescission of the termination of the contract between Zampost Services Corporation and the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, an act prejudicial to the interests of the Government of Zambia and Beneficiaries under the said programme.
The suspect is on Police bond and will appear in court soon.
