The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has come out of the cocoon to reveal reasons for the arrest of former Minister of Finance Joseph Mwanamvekha who is also member of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
According to a statement signed by ACB principal public relations officer Egrita Ndala, Mwanamvekha has been arrested over allegations that he abused his office by approving about $18.4 million (about K18.4billion) for the unlawful procurement of uniforms and equipment for Malawi Prison Service.
The statement further says, the arrest follows an investigation which established that Mwanamvekha abused his office and neglected officials duties among other things.
“The ACB conducted investigations which established that Mr Joseph Mwanamvekha abused his office and neglected official duties by among other things approving the disbursement of funds to the Ministry of Homeland Security without verifying the urgency and importance of the procurement,” reads the statement in part.
Mwanamvekha be charged with abuse of office and neglect of official duties contrary to Section 258 (1) and Section 121 of the Corrupt Practices Act and the Penal Code respectively.
