On 7th December, 2017, the Anti-Corruption Bureau received a complaint alleging that Mr. Martin Zgambo, Chairperson of Village Grievances Resolution Management Committee (VGRMC) connived with Mr. Herbert Mandala of Snowy and Mountain Engineering Corporation (SMEC Mzuzu office) to defraud Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) funds which were meant for compensation of Project Affected Persons (PAPs) at Sonda in Mzuzu.
The ACB instituted investigations which established that Mr. Martin Zgambo and Mr. Herbert Mandala, had connived to defraud Millennium Challenge Account of K19, 738, 167.00 by presenting land for which compensation was already processed as if it was not paid for. Ms. Eluby Chavula posed as a land owner while Ms. Patricia Tchuwa received MK3,925,298.53 for land which was not hers.
In 2018, the Anti-Corruption Bureau took the four to Mzuzu Magistrates Court where they were charged as follows:
Mr. Martin Zgambo and Mr. Herbert Mandala
• Conspiracy to corruptly obtain money contrary to Section 35 of the Corrupt Practices Act
• Theft contrary to Section 278 of the Penal Code
• Attempted theft contrary to Section 401 as read with Sections 271 and 278 of the Penal Code
• Making false documents contrary to Section 353 of the Penal Code
All correspondences to be addressed to the Director quoting our reference numbers
Ms. Patricia Tchuwa
• Money laundering contrary to Section 42(1) (c) of the Financial Crimes Act
• Theft contrary to Section 278 of the Penal Code
Ms. Eluby Chavula
• Giving false information to the Bureau contrary to Section 14 (1) (a) of the Corrupt Practices Act.
• Attempted theft contrary to Section 401 as read with Section 278 0f the Penal Code
On 31st March, 2020, the Mzuzu Magistrates Court found the four guilty and convicted them. However, the Court acquitted Patricia Tchuwa on the count of theft and convicted her for money laundering. Bail for the three has been revoked except for Patricia Tchuwa who has a baby. Sentencing will be done on 21st April, 2020.
EGRITA M. NDALA
SENIOR PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FOR: DIRECTOR GENERAL
