ACB arrest 9 over health workers recruitment, social cash transfer abuse
Ant corruption bureau ACB has arrested 9 people in connection with the 2022 recruitment of health workers at Phalombe district council and social cash transfer abuse in Mangochi
6 of them are answering the Phalombe case namely George Ramundi, Kesteni Willie Chokani, Mayamiko Custom, Dorothy Mussa, Florence Antonio and Sarah Phiri while the other Edward Black, Muhammad Danger and Manesi Jeke are community support committee members of social cash transfer program in TA Katuli
The arrest of the suspects in Phalombe case follows an investigation conducted by the bureau which established that Ramudi solicited 200, 000 kwacha to influence employment of Euster Namalia as hospital attendant at Phalombe district council
The three suspects in the social cash transfer program were arrested after the bureau investigation had established that when they were working as project volunteers they demanded money from 72 beneficiaries and obtained money from some of them.
The investigations on Phalombe recruitment further established that Custom. Mussa, Antonio and Phiri uttered false documents namely JCE and MSCE certificates during interviews for posts of disease and control surveillance assistants and hospital attendants
All the accused persons were taken to Phalombe First Grade Magistrate court where they were formally charged but pleaded not guilty hence applying for bail which they were granted
Trial will commence on 3rd December 2024
On the Mangochi social cash transfer case ACB took them to court on 12th November and were charged with abuse of public office but they pleaded not guilty, applied for bail and granted bail.
