On 12 November, 2015 the Anti-Corruption Bureau arrested Louis Paul Mtonga for giving false information to the Bureau about the award of a contract to supply building materials for the construction of a school block at Lukwelukwe Primary School in Mzimba Hora Constituency.
He was taken to Mzimba Magistrates’ court where he was charged with two counts of giving false information to Bureau officers contract to Section 14(1) (a) of the Corrupt Practices Act. He pleaded not guilty to both counts. The state paraded its witnesses.
On 8th February, 2019 the court found Louis Paul Mtonga with a case to answer on both counts and called him to defend himself.
The case went for defense on 27 March, 2019 where the suspect opted to remain silent. On 17th April, 2019, the court found the accused person guilty on both counts and convicted him. He was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment with hard labour on both counts; the sentences were to run concurrently. However, the court suspended the custodial sentence on condition that:
i) the convict pays a fine of K1, 500, 000.00 within thirty days from 17 April 2019;
ii) the convict does not commit similar offences within a period of two years from 17 April 2019.
The convict paid K200, 000.00 the same day. He is expected to pay the remaining K1, 300, 000.00 within the given period. The Anti-Corruption Bureau is warning members of the public that it is an offence to
knowingly provide false information to Bureau officers with intent to protect any subject of an investigation.
