The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) received a complaint alleging that Khwima
Mkandawire, Chisomo Chawanje, Richard Sumayili and Adiel Tsambewe, Ministry of
Lands officials in Mzuzu, corruptly received MK1,800,000.00 from Benjamin Jere as
payment for a piece of a land at Area 4 in Mzuzu and issued no receipt for the
payment.
The Bureau instituted an investigation which among other things established that the
land belongs to Mr. Francis Mwakimbwala who claims to have all the relevant
documents.
On 23rd June, 2021, the Anti-Corruption Bureau arrested Khwima Mkandawire and
Chisomo Chawanje. Richard Sumayili and Adiel Tsambewe were arrested on 24th
June, 2021. They are suspected to have committed the offence of misuse of public
office contrary to Section 25B (1) of the Corrupt Practices Act, theft, contrary to
Section 278 as read with Section 271 and obtaining money by false pretence,
contrary to Section 319 of the Penal Code.
They were taken to Court on 25th June where they were granted bail after satisfying
the following conditions:
i) Ordered to produce K50,000.00 cash each as bail bond.
ii) Ordered to produce one surety each bonded at K100,000.00 not cash
iii) Ordered to surrender travel documents to the ACB
iv) Ordered to report to ACB Offices once every first Monday of the month
v) Not to interfere with state witnesses, ACB officers and their relations
vi) Ordered to surrender their phones and passwords to the Bureau
vii) Not to leave their cities of residence (Mzuzu, Lilongwe or Blantyre
respectively) without the authority of the ACB Director General
They will appear in Court on 3rd August, 2021 for trial.
EGRITA M. NDALA
PRINCIPAL PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FOR: DIRECTOR GENERAL
Editor’s Note
These two officers are on transfer to Lilongwe and Blantyre, hence the above bail
reporting arrangement.
Chisomo Chawanje – Lilongwe ACB office
Adiel Tsambewe – Blantyre ACB office
Khwima Mkandawire and Richard Sumaili will be reporting at Mzuzu ACB office
