By Cecilia Chiluba/Zambia/Lusaka
Three officers from Zambia’s Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries have been arrested and charged by the Anti‑Corruption Commission (ACC) for misusing part of a US$10 million loan.
The loan was provided by the African Development Bank (AfDB) in 2019, intended under the Sustainable Livestock Infrastructure Management Project (SLIMP) to improve livestock infrastructure, boost livestock production through commercialization, and build capacity among ministry staff. The project targeted Muchinga and Northern Provinces.
At a media briefing in Zambia’s Capital, Lusaka, ACC Director General Daphne Chabu explained that disbursement began in 2020 and was initially scheduled to run until 2024, but due to delays was extended to June 2025. Investigations show that the full US$10 million was disbursed.
However, “US$5,289,974.86 translating to K126,959,396.72 allocated for administrative and capacity-building activities was extensively misapplied.”
The ACC found that “US$1,346,907.27 was illicitly transferred into personal accounts under false pretenses.” An additional “US$142,946.13 was withdrawn in cash and shared among the three implicated officers.
The funds were reportedly retired using falsified documents for activities that never took place, allowing the accused officers to acquire assets grossly disproportionate to their legitimate earnings.
Mrs. Chabu stated that the findings confirm systemic abuse and misappropriation of project resources, adding that investigations are ongoing and more arrests are expected.
She reassured the public that the Commission will work tirelessly to ensure that every individual connected to this case is brought to book.
The three suspects are:
• Henry Sichone, Livestock Research Officer for Lusaka Province — charged with three counts of possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime, and one count of corrupt acquisition of public property and revenue.
• Abraham Mulenga, Provincial Fisheries and Livestock Marketing Development Officer for Central Province — charged with eight counts of possession of unexplained property and one count of acquisition of public property and revenue.
• Peter Michese, Chinsali District Accountant — charged with four counts of possession of unexplained property and one count of acquisition of public property and revenue.
