KASAMA Central Member of Parliament Geoffrey Mwamba, flanked by his wife Chama (left) and Lubansenshi area Member of Parliament Patrick Mucheleka (right), leaves Woodlands Police Station where he presented himself for questioning yesterday. – Picture by MACKSON WASAMUNU.
… as he gets MMD support
By CLAVER MUTINTA
POLICE have recorded a warn-and-caution statement from former Minister of Defence Geoffrey Mwamba on eight counts of alleged offences, including one which he is alleged to have committed when he acted as republican President.
And Mr Mwamba was received at the Woodlands Police station by two MMD members of Parliament, an opposition party leader and some supporters, some of whom are believed to be members of the former ruling party.
He arrived at the police station around 14:25 hours in the company of his lawyers Martha Mushipe, Makebi Zulu and Jonas Zimba, as well as his wife Chama.
The Kasama lawmaker’s sympathisers included Alliance for Better Zambia (ABZ) president Father Frank Bwalya, Senga Member of Parliament (MP) Kapembwa Simbao and Kasempa legislator Kabinga Pande.
His daughter Sibongile was blocked by police officers from entering police premises.
After about 40 minutes of interrogations, Mr Mwamba emerged from the investigation room.
Police spokesperson Charity Munganga-Chanda said Mr Mwamba is alleged to have committed the offences between April 1 and November 30 this year.
“While acting as republican President as per Government gazette notice no. 238 of 2012 of 25th April 2012, he is alleged to have committed the offence of disobedience of statutory duty contrary to Section 126 Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
“He is also alleged to have abused his authority of office contrary to Section 21 sub-section 1 (a) and (b) of the Anti-Corruption Act number 3 of 2012 by directing and influencing the award of a contract for supply and delivery of nine, 10 and 12 metre wooden poles to Zesco Limited on a one-year contract to Arizona Marketing and Distribution in which company he was a director/partner,” she said.
Ms Chanda said as director and partner of Arizona Marketing and Distribution, Mr Mwamba is alleged to have committed three counts of uttering a false document contrary to Section 352 Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia involving manufacturers’ authorisation, company profile and poles specifications to the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) and Zesco.
She said Mr Mwamba purported to ZPPA and Zesco to have been issued the documents by Board Timber Limited of Zimbabwe when in fact not.
“Further Mr Mwamba, acting in his capacity as the then director/partner of Arizona Marketing and Distributors, has also been warned and cautioned for two counts of making a false document contrary to Section 344 Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia, namely a company profile for Board Timber and Poles specifications purporting that they were issued from that Board Timber Limited when in fact not,” Ms Chanda said.
She said in the last count, Mr Mwamba is alleged to have forged two manufacturers’ authorisation documents contrary to Section 342 Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia purporting that they were issued by Board Timber Limited when in fact not.
“Investigations into the matter continue,” Mrs Chanda said.
And Mr Mwamba said he did not give any statement and that his lawyers will reflect on what should be in the statement.
“My lawyers will get back to the police officers so that we come for a formal statement which I will be able to issue. Everything went on well and police were very cooperative.
“There was no harassment and police conducted themselves in very cordial manner,” he said.
Mr Mwamba said he is not shaken by the summoning and that he still belongs to the Patriotic Front (PF) and a strong believer of the ruling party.