The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested five people including two public officers from Salima District hospital over charges bordering fraud and abuse of office.

According to a press statement issued on Thursday, September 23, 2020 and signed by ACB Principle Public Relations Officer, Egrita Ndala, on June 3, 2019, the Bureau received an anonymous allegation that Salima District Hospital Clerk, Ahmed Ellias Kazembe and another Human Resource Management Officer connived to maintain names of some members of staff on government payroll, yet the said staff resigned in 2017.

After conducting investigations, the Bureau found that there were four names who were still on the payroll although they had resigned.

According to the investigations, the people who were still on payroll, are Brandina Chiwaya, Limbani Mateyo, Chisomo Tumeo and Jane Msuku.

It was established that Ahmed Ellias Kazembe, received various sums of money from the people he had maintained on the payroll and the detectable sum of public funds involved is K33, 500, 000. 00.

Three of the suspects have already appeared before the Salima Magistrate’s court and were granted bail while the other remaining two are waiting for ACB to finish interviewing them.

The suspects are expected to answer charges of fraud other than false pretence which is contrary to section 319 (A) (c) of the penal code and money laundering which is contrary to section 42 (1) (c) of the financial crimes Act.