The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested two prominent figures, Bob Chimkango, former Director of Administration and Corporate Affairs at the Malawi Housing Corporation (MHC), and Yeremiah Chihana, Member of Parliament for Mzimba North, on separate counts of abuse of public office.
In a press release issued by ACB principal public relations officer Egrita Ndala, it was revealed that Bob Chimkango was arrested for allegedly receiving allowances for work that had no connection to his official duties at MHC. According to the bureau’s investigations, in 2019, Chimkango received fuel and subsistence allowances amounting to MK7,430,820 from MHC. The funds were used to facilitate his attendance at a High Court constitutional case in Lilongwe, a matter which had no relation to the corporation’s interests.
As a result, Chimkango is expected to face charges of abuse of public office, contrary to Section 25B (1) as read with Section 34 of the Corrupt Practices Act.
Meanwhile, the bureau has also confirmed the arrest of Yeremiah Chihana in Blantyre for a separate case involving suspected misuse of his position. According to Wapona Kita, who is representing Chihana, the lawmaker is accused of exerting undue influence over a contractor in 2022. It is alleged that Chihana pressured the contractor to raise the cost of a project from MK27 million to MK100 million, a move that is now under scrutiny by the ACB.
Kita confirmed that Chihana is being transferred to Mzuzu where he is expected to face formal charges related to the case.
These arrests highlight the ACB’s continued efforts to clamp down on corruption and misuse of public resources in both public institutions and among elected officials.
AVANT Publications