By DELPHINE ZULU –

MWANSABOMBWE Member of Parliament (MP) Rodgers Mwewa and his wife Anne Mwitwa have been arrested for abuse of authority of office.
Mr Mwewa is former Agriculture deputy minister, while Ms Mwitwa is the former permanent cecretary for Administration at Cabinet Office.
Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) public relations manager Timothy Moono said in a statement yesterday that the couple was arrested in Lusaka yesterday and will appear in court on separate intervals.
Mr Mwewa 43, of house number 4061 Musengele Road in Sunningdale area has been charged with abuse of authority of office.
Between April, 14, 2012 and August, 31, 2013 in Kawambwa, Mr Mwewa in his capacity as Mwansabombwe MP, abused the authority of his office when he imposed the purchase of a Toyota Hiace Van Chassis number, RZH125-4005395, 2000 Model using Constituency Development Funds (CDF).
“The vehicle was converted into an ambulance with Mr Mwewa influencing the decision of the tender committee of the Kawambwa District Council to award the contract for the said minibus to his brother Thomson, at the cost of K220, 000.
Mr Mwewa has been released on bond and will appear in court on May 18.
Meanwhile, Ms Mwitwa 35, also of house number 4061 Musengele Road, Sunningdale has been charged with seven counts of abuse of authority of office.
Ms Mwitwa in her capacity as Permanent Secretary between October 1, 2013 and December, 31 2013, in Kitwe, abused the authority of her office when she awarded a contract worth K 888, 374 to Rolly’s Catering Services without following procedure.
This is an arbitrary act prejudicial to the rights or interests of the Government or any?other person.
In the second count, Ms Mwitwa on the same dates and place, abused the authority of her office when she awarded a contract worth K 142, 000 to Hostels Board of Management without following procurement procedure.
“Ms Mwitwa, on similar dates whilst acting together with others unknown, abused the authority of her office when she awarded a contract worth K 500, 000 to Nobutula Lodge without following the laid down procurement procedure,” he said.
In the fourth count, Ms Mwitwa between October, 1, 2013 and December 31, 2013, abused the authority of her office when she awarded a contract worth K 179, 984.70 to Sherbourne Farms Limited.
She also on the same dates abused the authority of her office when she awarded a contract worth K 225, 000 to Rosewood Place.
In count six, Ms Mwitwa abused the authority of her office when she awarded a contract worth K 300, 000 to Vogue Afrique.??In count seven, Ms Mwitwa abused her authority when she awarded a contract worth K 290, 000 to Hotel Edinburgh.
Ms Mwitwa has also been released on bond and will appear in court on March 25.