By Chisomo Phiri
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has announced that it will commence civil asset forfeiture proceedings against properties suspected to be proceeds of crime linked to the alleged looting of K36.7 billion at the Greenbelt Authority (GBA), in addition to criminal prosecutions.
In a statement, ACB Acting Director General Gabriel Chembezi says 11 suspects connected to the case have been formally charged and that trial proceedings are expected to commence later this year.
Chembezi indicates that the suspects have been charged with various offences under the Corrupt Practices Act and the Penal Code, and have since been released on bail.
“The arrested suspects have been formally charged with various offences under the Corrupt Practices Act and the Penal Code.They have been released on bail, with the earliest trial scheduled for February 27, 2026,” says Chembezi.
He says among those arrested are GBA Chief Executive Officer (CEO ) Eric Chidzungu, Director of Irrigation Operations Chisomo Kumbuyo, Irrigation Engineer Chester Chikwere, Director of Finance and Investments Linda Phiri, Procurement and Assets Disposal Manager Masautso Kamowa,and Infrastructure Development Manager Synoden Kautsi.
Chembezi says others facing charges include Kabiki and Partners Engineering Services Managing Director Innocent Kawinuwinu, PLMB Engineering Investment Managing Directors Stanley Bakolo and Victor Chabwera, EMD Consulting Engineers Managing Director Ephrone Mwenitete, and Einstein Construction Limited Managing Director Kenneth Khonje.
He says the bureau will also seek additional arrest warrants for other suspects who are yet to be apprehended in connection with the case.
“The Bureau further informs the public that it will soon obtain more arrest warrants for the remaining suspects in the matter,” says Chembezi.
The ACB alleges that the GBA irregularly awarded contracts to several private contractors and made advance payments amounting to K36.7 billion.
The funds are suspected to have been misappropriated, with some allegedly diverted to finance political campaigns, while certain GBA officials are said to have benefitted through kickbacks.
