ACC arrests former Zambia Army Chief of Operations

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has arrested former Zambia Army Chief of operations and an Officer in the Office of the President Special Division for corruption involving exportation of Mukula logs.

ACC spokesperson Queen Chibwe has told a local publication in a media statement that Brigadier General Gilbert Mulenga, retired aged 55 of 96 Independence Avenue, Woodlands in Lusaka and Bruce Aongola aged 46, an executive officer at the Office of the President Special Division of Lusaka have separately been arrested and charged with one count of Abuse of Authority of Office.

Mrs Chibwe said Brigadier General Mulenga whilst acting together with persons unknown on dates unknown but between 1st June 2021 and 30th September 2021 in Lusaka abused the authority of office by arbitrarily resolving to regularize an attempted illegal export to China of 23 containers laden with Mukula logs transported by Ackson Tembo of ACK General Suppliers.

She said the act was prejudicial to the interest of the Government of the Republic of Zambia.

Mrs Chibwe said Mr Aongola has also been arrested and charged with the same offence of Abuse of Authority of Office by arbitrarily resolving to regularize an attempted illegal export to China of 23 containers laden with Mukula logs transported by Ackson Tembo of ACK General Suppliers.

“The duo has since been released on Bond and will appear in court soon,” she said.

Mrs Chibwe said in October last year, the Commission intercepted and seized a consignment of 23 trucks laden with Mukula logs belonging to Ackson Tembo, a Lusaka Businessman and proprietor of ACK General Suppliers.

She said the trucks were enroute to neighboring Namibia and Zimbabwe, with unknown final destinations.

Mr Tembo was recently arrested by the Commission for Conveyancing of Forestry Produce without a License and Unlawful Exportation of Mukula timber contrary to the Laws of Zambia.