By CHATULA KANGALI –
A LUSAKA magistrates’ court has convicted a former Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) information technology deputy director for corrupt practices involving US$90,000.
Mpundu Mfula, 54, of 1927, Six Miles in Kabangwe area of Lusaka was convicted after he was found guilty of corrupt practices.
Mfula between May and December 2006 corruptly received $90,000 cash as a gratification from Vik Vaid, a project manager at Universal Print Group of South Africa.
The payment was done through a company called Aeron Limited of Mauritius as commission for the supply and delivery of disposable booths, chairs and tables relating to the contract between ECZ and Universal Print Group.
Mfula was arrested after the Commission received allegations of corruption involving officials at Universal Print Group, the company which was selected by ECZ to print ballot papers for the 2011 general elections.
Meanwhile, the Commission has arrested an intern  at  the  Ministry  of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection for corrupt practices involving K1,500.
Emily Chola Mbewe, 30, of 664, Kabwata Site and Service in Lusaka, has since been charged with one count of corrupt practices by a public officer.
It is alleged that Mbewe between January 13 and 20 this year corruptly solicited for and received K1,500 from George Kashikoti as an inducement to facilitate for the visitation of Ministry of Lands officials to conduct an inspection at  his farm with a view for the ministry to renew his lease of 99 years.
Mbewe has since been released on bond and will appear in court on February 21 this year.
This is contained in a statement released by ACC public relations manager Timothy Moono.