By CHUSA SICHONE-
THE Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has instituted investigations against former Tourism and Arts minister Sylvia Masebo in connection with the upkeep of some of her witnesses in the tribunal that was set up to probe her.
ACC public relations manager Timothy Moono said the Commission had also started investigating Youth and Sport Minister Chishimba Kambwili over congratulatory advertisements in the Times of Zambia and Zambia Daily Mail after he obtained a degree from Copperstone University.
Mr Moono was responding to questions from journalists during the first quarter media briefing in Lusaka yesterday.
He said the ACC was probing Ms Masebo because there were accusations that some of her witnesses during the tribunal were accommodated at Ndozo Lodge in Lusaka using the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) funds.
‘‘You want to find out whether we are investigating matters relating to witnesses for the former Minister of Tourism Honourable Masebo? Yes, I wish to confirm that the Commission is investigating that matter and it is also a new matter and, therefore, investigations are still fresh and we are following on those earnestly,’’he said.
On Mr Kambwili, Mr Moono said the probe concerns congratulatory advertisements placed by the Youth and Sport ministry.
‘‘Again as a policy, we do not disclose details of what we have found. However, it is in connection with adverts that ran in the Zambia Daily Mail and the Times of Zambia, congratulating him for acquiring a degree from Copperstone University,’’ Mr Moono said.
Mr Kambwili later in an interview said the placing of the adverts was done by management at the ministry and that he had no influence over the matter whatsoever.
He said the ‘falsehoods’ were being peddled by people within Government bent on tarnishing his name through what he termed as a ‘political witch-hunt.’
‘‘Those are works of the enemy. They are known enemies. I know the people who are behind that and the country knows them. They have a big agenda against Chishimba Kambwili and I can only wish them well in their endeavours. You can read between the lines that this is political witch-hunt. I am as clean as Dr Kaunda’s handkerchief,’’ Mr Kambwili said.
In a related development, Mr Moono said the Commission has recorded warn and caution statements from Pambashe and Mwansabombwe members of Parliament Ronald Chitotela and Rogers Mwewa relating to the abuse of authority and misappropriation of Constituency Development Funds.
Similarly, investigations against abuse of office against former Permanent Secretary of Administration at Cabinet Office Anna Mwewa had also reached an advanced stage.
He also said the ACC was investigating 22 cases of misappropriation of funds from the 2012 Auditor General’s report and was doing the same for 49 reports highlighted in the 2011 report and three cases from the 2010 document.
The commission was also happy that there was a reduction in the loss and misappropriation of public funds as revealed in the 2012 Auditor General’s report.
As at March 31, this year, Mr Moono said there were 1,192 cases under investigation.