The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has arrested and charged Chama District Education Board Secretary, Titus Mbewe, over alleged irregularities involving K2.49 million in contracts for the supply of maize and dried beans under a School Feeding Programme.
Mbewe, 56, faces two counts of abuse of authority of office and one count of willful failure to follow applicable procedure under the Anti-Corruption Act, Chapter 91 of the Laws of Zambia,
It is alleged that between January and December 2025, while serving as District Education Board Secretary for Mkushi District, Mbewe facilitated payments of K1,424,115 to Frelun Commodities Limited for the supply of white maize and K1,073,000 to Ichikwanka Multi-Purpose Cooperative for dried beans before the contracts were approved by the Mkushi Council Secretary.
The total value of the two contracts was K2, 497,115.
It is further alleged that Mbewe authorised full payment to the suppliers before the goods were delivered.
In the third count, allegations are that Mbewe, acting with other persons unknown, facilitated the circumvention of procurement procedures by purporting that the Evaluation Committee and Procurement Committee had evaluated the tenders when they had not.
The alleged offences relate to procurement activities in Mkushi District during the period when Mbewe served as its District Education Board Secretary.
This is according to a statement issued to ZANIS by Anti-Corruption Commission Head – Corporate Communications Joseph Mwenya.
Mr Mwenya stated that Mbewe had been released on bond and would appear in court soon.
14