ACC Arrests Health Minister

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has arrested Minister of Health Dr Chitalu Chilufya following investigations into allegations that he is in possession of property reasonably suspected to be the proceeds of crime.

Dr Chilufya has been charged with offences contrary to section 71 (1) of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act No.19 of 2010. 

The ACC last month confirmed that they had conducted interviews with Dr. Chilufya and recorded a warn and caution statement. Following which there were a growing number of calls for the Minister to step aside.

The Minister has been released on bond and is due to appear before the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court on July 9th. 

His arrest has been welcomed by Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z), who have once again called on President Lungu to consider relieving Dr Chilufya of his ministerial duties so that he can focus on his defence and in order to insulate government from distractions.

“Dr. Chilufya presently plays a sensitive role in the multisectoral response to Covid-19 and such allegations will be an unnecessary distraction. We know that in the recent past, President Lungu, for reasons he alone can explain has failed to act against Ministers facing such allegations, but we still call on him to ask Hon Dr Chitalu to step aside in order to facilitate a smooth investigation into his case,” TI-Z President Rueben Lifuka has previously stated.

Lifuka noted that such a move would be “in conformity with standard practice where public servants that are being investigated have stepped aside to allow for investigations to be carried out independently and without any potential undue influence.”

Health Minister Dr Chitalu Chilufya