By DELPHINE ZULU –
THE Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested a former Chipata Municipal Council Town Clerk for misappropriation of K1million.
Ekan Chingangu has since been charged with wilful failure to comply with applicable procedure relating to management of public funds and obtaining pecuniary advantage by false pretence contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
DEC public relations officer Theresa Katongo confirmed this in a statement yesterday and said the funds were meant for capital grants.
It is alleged that Chingangu between August, 2012 and January, 2014 together with the director of finance Kate Tembo, former director of engineering Andrew Zulu and former director administration Mwape Katemwe and other persons unknown did engage themselves in dishonest conduct in which funds for the municipality were misappropriated.
Ms Katongo said investigations by the commission revealed that Chingangu and the others did misappropriate K1million capital grant meant for infrastructure development at the Chipata Civic Centre by paying themselves salaries beyond the new harmonised salaries.
Mr Chingangu has since been released on Police bond and would appear in court soon.
Meanwhile, DEC has also arrested a barman of Lusaka for trafficking in four pellets and 20 rocks of cocaine.
Jackson Kapaya, 22, a barman of Woodlands Chalala, was arrested at a named shopping complex within Lusaka.
