The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested seven people for money laundering related offenses involving K69.4 million.
DEC Public Relations Officer Theresa Katongo has disclosed that among the involved suspects were four Directors from Ono Initiative Limited and three Directors from COMSAVE Credit Union.
Ms. Katongo identified the suspects as Isaac Mvula, male aged 40, Ackim Mugala, male aged 39, Khuna Ncheema, male aged 65, and Chuunya Chilala, female aged 34 of Ono Initiative Limited.
Ms Katongo stated that the four, on dates unknown but between December 1st, 2018, and July 21st, 2020 provided financial services without a license and received deposits amounting to over K22.6 million from the general public.
“Particulars of the offense are that on dates unknown but between 1st December 2018 and 21st July, 2020 the four Directors of Ono Initiative limited jointly and whilst acting together with other person unknown did conduct and provide financial services without a license by receiving deposits from the general public and issuing loans.
Further, they also engaged in a money circulation scheme where they advertised to the general public for people to save with Ono Initiative limited for a predetermined return under the guise that people were joining a village banking group when in fact not. Through this misrepresentation, they obtained K22, 576,772 from members of the general public and further engaged in money laundering activities by using proceeds of crime to buy 33 vehicles and 27 houses,” Ms Katongo indicated.
She added that the other three Directors of COMSAVE Credit Union, who were identified as Muleka Given, Onester Sondashi, and Collins Chilufya, also conducted and provided financial services without a license.
She said that through misrepresentation, the trio obtained about K46.9 million from members from the public.
“They also advertised to the public for people to save with COMSAVE Credit Union for a predetermined return under the guise that people were joining a village banking group when in fact not. Through this misrepresentation, they obtained K46, 823, 545.04 from members of the general public. The trio did engage in money laundering activities by using proceeds of crime to acquire property namely: two Mercedes Benz, D2 Buses, 01 Toyota Runx, one COMSAVE School in Mazabuka and another in Monze,” she gave details of the crimes.
Ms Katongo revealed that the seven suspects are currently on police bond and are expected to appear before court soon.
This is contained in a statement made available to ZANIS by DEC Public Relations Officer, Theresa Katongo.
It seems these cases are on the rise since the privatisation issue has taken centre stage. I just hope it is not HH attempting to launder his money before the authorities catch up with him.
I have lost track of these constitutional bodies. They arrest and lose cases. I know, I know. The Judiciary is independent of these institutions but there appears to be either an incompetence in investigating crimes for which individuals are arrested or a near-total collapse in the operations of these bodies. Either way something appears amiss. I doubt anyone will take this seriously especially from a perception point.
It’s tough in the PF weldi, these are not times to steal from innocent people. Be a Robin Hood steal from plunderers like Bowmen Sambamo
All the directors names looks PFsh, no name start with H.
Nostra of course hh will use people with less of a link to him to try and reduce risk of police linking him to the crime.
Small fish really.
We all know the real outcome will depend their connection to ECL
Comsave ‘WHO ARE WE?
Comsave it is Community saving and credit cooperative which it is owned by its members. it focus on helping members grow their money with confidence and financial choices which support their lives .
We are a credit union which means we’re a not for profit financial but a co-operative owned and controlled by its members. We offer an easy way to save, and a better way to borrow direct as a union . In other words we are village banking’
They couldn’t even write English well, but that is not a sign of intelligence. There was nothing hidden. They were operating in broad daylight as a Credit union.
Comsave Office
Assumption parish
Roman Catholic Mazabuka
Small fish always rounded up but the untouchable big fish still roaming around n making laws that they fail to be bound to…..what a world we live in.
Just wading through the waters without all the facts…., Was someone’s money lost, stolen through through this scheme? To me this appears to be a well-meaning and run initiative.
Monze and Mazabuka are fit to be offshores for the loot, a no go area even for the head of state they boo