Three Arrested As Anti-Corruption Picks Up Pace

The authorities have arrested three former managers at a state-owned company following suspected malpractice during their time in these roles.

On Friday the individuals were arrested following reports that, during their time within the company, they participated in corrupt activities involving over 300 million kwacha.

The anti-corruption commission and the anti-money laundering unit said in a statement that “The trio in their capacities as postmaster general, director of finance and director of operations, respectively, are said to unlawfully diverted social cash transfer funds amounting to 335,108,834 kwacha,”.

The arrests come as a result of President Hakainde Hichilema’s promise to step up the fight against corruption after he was elected in August this year. His vows come as the former Patriotic Front government stole a variety of state assets and left the country with a multi-billion dollar debt crisis.

Corruption under the previous government led Britain, Finland and Sweden to withhold nearly $34 million in aid to the county’s social cash welfare and education sectors in 2018.