The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has arrested and charged four public officers in connection with the alleged misappropriation of part of a USD 10 million loan facility obtained from the African Development Bank (ADB) under the Strategic Livestock Investment and Management Project (SLIMP).

The arrests bring the total number of suspects arrested in the case to seven, as investigations into the alleged abuse of public resources continue.

In a statement issued by ACC Director General, Daphne Chabu, the suspects were apprehended during the second phase of investigations into the alleged diversion of funds from the SLIMP loan, which was secured by government in 2019 to support livestock development.

The Director General noted that among those arrested is Emmanuel Chilala (41), an Accountant at the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, who has been charged with three counts of corrupt acquisition of public property, contrary to the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012.

She said the charges relate to the alleged fraudulent diversion of K15.6 million, which he is accused of drawing as imprest through his personal account from various SLIMP accounts.

Mr Chilala is also facing three counts of possession of property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime, involving landed properties valued at K4.56 million and a motor vehicle valued at K200,000.

In addition, Ms. Chabu said Mr Chilala  has been charged with six counts of concealment of property after allegedly transferring ownership of seven properties in Chilanga District to his mother and a farm to his father.

Another suspect, Ackim Mwalilino (32), an Acting Livestock Research Production Officer, has been charged with one count of corrupt acquisition of public property following the alleged diversion of part of K4.7 million drawn as imprest through his personal account.

The Director stated that Mr Mwalilino has further been charged with three counts of possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime, involving assets valued at K3.45 million.

The Commission has also charged Sharon Hikaumba (40), a Stenographer at the Ministry of Agriculture and spouse to Mr Chilala, with three counts of concealment of property, while the charges relate to the alleged transfer of ownership of three motor vehicles valued at K1.5 million to her grandmother and father-in-law.

Meanwhile, Kabemba Mwambilwa (47), an Assistant Director for Livestock Development, has been charged with two counts of possession of property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime, involving landed properties valued at K11.9 million.

Ms. Chabu disclosed that a total of 37 properties have so far been restricted in relation to the case, including 27 houses, three farms and seven motor vehicles located in different parts of the country.

She added that the Commission has expressed satisfaction with the progress made in the investigations, attributing it to collaboration with key stakeholders.

It reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public resources and carrying out its mandate professionally and impartially.

The Director General further revealed that investigations are still ongoing and that the Office of the Auditor General has been engaged to conduct a forensic audit of the SLIMP loan.

The Commission said the audit may lead to the arrest of more suspects as the full extent of the alleged abuse of public resources is established.

A couple from Katondo Compound in Kabwe District, Central Province, has pleaded not guilty to stealing valuables worth over K14,000 from the farmhouse of a 76-year-old woman in Chowa Compound Stage 1, Kabwe.

Proud Phiri and Loveness Chilongano, who served as caretakers of the farm, both charged with one count of theft contrary to section 272 of Penal Code Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.

Particulars of the offence are that, Phiri and Chilongano between 1st October and 8th November, 2025 in Kabwe District of Central Province jointly and whilst acting together, did steal two inventors, four mattresses, two solar panels and 10 iron sheets.

Other items which are alleged to have been stolen are two empty drums, one wheelbarrow, one bicycle and assorted clothes all valued at K14,600.00 the property of Hellen Silungwe.

And when the matter came up for plea before Kabwe Resident Magistrate Lishaniso Wamundila, the couple said they understood the charge and pleaded not guilty to the charge.

 The state called one witness to commence with the trial, Hellen Silungwe 76, of House number 27 Chowa Stage 1, the farm owner, who had engaged the couple as caretakers.

Mrs Silungwe told the court that she contacted the couple she knew from church who agreed that they would be looking after the farm without being paid a salary.

Mrs Silungwe explained that the agreement was that Phiri and the wife would be empowered with some farming inputs and use the farmland to their benefit.

“Your honor I gave them permission to use my cattle for ploughing and benefit from whatever produce they get as long as they look after my farm. I even bought them fertiliser,” Mrs Silungwe said.

She further testified that in November 2024, she hired transport and took the couple to the farm where she showed them the farm and entrusted them with the said properties in the presence of Nachona Nawakwi, her daughter.

She told the court that she only received a phone call from her daughter to the effect that the couple had deserted the farm house and the items in question were missing.

She narrated that only one inventor and one solar panel were recovered after a member of the neighborhood watch managed to locate the couple in Katondo Compound.

Under cross examination, Phiri asked Mrs Silungwe whom she had employed to look after her farm between him and his wife to which she responded that she employed Phiri but Chilongano was involved by virtue of being Phiri’s spouse.

Phiri also asked the complainant if she did not send a member of the neighborhood watch named Mambwe to get the keys from his house in Katondo who went on to open the farm house in their absence to which she responded in the affirmative.

Phiri recounted that he met Mrs Silungwe at United Church of Zambia Church where it was announced that she was looking for a couple to employ as farm caretakers.

“Didn’t you employ me to look after your farm and stayed away for one year now and I am only meeting you in court for the second time,” Phiri asked Mrs Silungwe.

Mrs Silungwe did not object to Phiri’s question but stated that although she never visited the Phiri’s, her daughter Nawakwi did.

Magistrate Wamundila adjourned the matter to February 4, 2026 for a continuation of trial as the state prosecutors were expected to call more witnesses to testify in the matter.

The accused persons remain in police custody.

 Lusaka Province Minister Sheal Mulyata has handed over a one by three classroom block, desks, and a water reticulation valued at about K5 million to Mwachilele Primary School and Ebenezer Community School in Rufunsa District.

The projects have been implemented using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

Ms Mulyata said the government has prioritised empowering local authorities through increased funding and enhanced decision making to ensure development reaches communities.

She stated that the projects being implemented in the province, will address the challenges faced by the communities in the districts.

The Provincial Minister said this during the handover ceremonies at the two schools in Rufunsa District.

“These facilities will collectively address long standing challenges faced by the schools which previously had difficulties with classrooms to accommodate learners” she said.

She added that the investment demonstrates the effective planning, decentralisation and community participation that translates into development.

” Schools, desks and access to good sanitation and clean water are the heartbeat of local economies”, Ms Mulyata said.

She noted that the facilities will improve learning conditions and reduce health risks through improved sanitation.

Rufunsa District Commissioner, Richard Mabena warned against vandalising the new facilities.

 “I call upon the local authorities, PTA committees and the learners to take full ownership of this facility”, Mr Mabena said.

And Chief Bunda Bunda of the Soli speaking people urged parents to enroll children to curb illiteracy levels.

He added that pupil enrolment should be increased with the addition of new classroom blocks in his chiefdom.

Chief Bunda Bunda further  condemned early marriages among girl- children urging them to prioritise education.

Two boys, aged 8 and 11, have drowned in a soak away, while a third has been rescued, in Nyimba District in Eastern Province.

Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba confirmed the incident to the media in Chipata, stating the boys were swimming in the water source at the time of the incidence.

“Be informed that Nyimba Police Station received two reports of drowning from male Francis Mtonga, 51, of Samora 2 Compound, District Nyimba, who reported that his grandson male juvenile Ernest Mapeti, 11, died after drowning in a soak away. The other report was from Rabson Tembo, 56, of Nyimba East Compound, who also reported that his grandson, male Juvenile Prince Sakala, 8, died after drowning in a soak away,” he stated.

Mr Mweemba disclosed that the survivor aged 7 is hospitalised, and in stable condition.

The Police Chief stated that the trio was reportedly swimming when the other two drowned while the 7-year-old was rescued.

” Information established after an interview is that, Jenara Tembo, 20, of Asafu Village, rescued male juvenile Elisha Mumba, 7, from a soak away. She stated that he was swimming with two others who unfortunately drowned. The same lady alerted community members who retrieved the bodies and later on alerted police,” he detailed.

The Commanding Officer further indicated that no foul play was suspected as the bodies of the deceased had no physical injuries.

He explained that the bodies have been deposited into Nyimba Urban clinic mortuary awaiting burial.

The Council of Chiefs in Northwestern Province has described the death of Senior Chief Kalilele of the Lamba speaking people in Mushindamo District as devastating.

Provincial Council of Chiefs Chairperson Chief Mumena said the traditional leaders in the province had learnt with deed sorrow the death of Senior Chief Kalilele whom he said was a man of peace.

Chief Mumena said this in a telephone interview with the media in Solwezi today.

He said the late Senior Chief Kalilele promoted peace and unity not only in his Chiefdom but the province as a whole.

“It is a sad moment for us traditional leadership in the province at the moment when we are still trying to put ourselves together and work as a team,” he said.

Chief Mumena said the late Senior Chief Kalilele was a team worker who spearheaded development in his Chiefdom and the Province adding that he was a friend of everyone especially among the traditional leaders.

He appealed to the Lamba royal establishment,the people of Mushindamo and the Province as a whole to mourn him with peace and the dignity he deserved in life and in his death.

“We are going to miss him and I pass my condolences to the royal council and the Lamba establishment,” Chief Mumena said.

Chief Mumena said the late Senior Chief Kalilele was enterprising and promoted development in his own way by engaging in agriculture activities.

And in a separate telephone interview United Party for National Development Provincial Chairperson Adam Sapezo described the late traditional leader as a developmental oriented who worked well with the party.

Mr Sapezo said the late Senior Chief Kalilele will be remembered for his passion to spearhead development in his Chiefdom.

“We will miss his fatherly advice and zeal to promote development in his Chiefdom and the Province as a whole,”he said.

He  appealed to people in the province to mourn the late traditional leader with honour and peace.

Earlier today Provincial Permanent Secretary colonel Grandson Katambi retired officially announced the death of Senior Chief Kalilele of the Lamba speaking people in Mushindamo District who died at Maina Soko Military hospital on 25th January,2026.