• Makumba did Abuse the Authority of Office by arbitrarily resolving to regularize an attempted illegal export of 23 containers of Mukula logs.
• The Mukula logs were being transported by Ackson Tembo of ACK General Suppliers Limited for export to China.
• This was an act prejudicial to the interest of the Government of the Republic of Zambia.

Former Director of the Forestry Department has been arrested for corrupt practices involving exportation of Mukula logs worth over K10million.

According to Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Public Relations Manager Timothy Moono, Ignatius Makumba 56, of Lusaka’s Makeni area has been arrested and charged with two counts of Abuse of Authority of Office, contrary to the Laws of Zambia.

“Details in the two counts are that in September 2021, Ignatius Makumba, as Director of Forestry Department, did Abuse the Authority of Office by arbitrarily resolving to regularize an attempted illegal export of 23 containers of Mukula logs through Chirundu Border and 16 containers of the same Mukula logs through Katima Mulilo Border,” Mr. Moono said.

Mr. Moono stated that the said Mukula logs were being transported by Ackson Tembo of ACK General Suppliers Limited for export to China, an act he said was prejudicial to the interest of Government.

He further revealed that the Commission has also arrested three other persons identified as Ackson Tembo, 40, proprietor of ACK General Dealers, Bruce Aongola, 46, and Colonel Maliwa Muwanei, a Zambia National Service (ZNS) Director of Operations in relation to the same matter, who have been charged with 39 counts each of attempt to export Mukula logs.

“Investigations have established that between 1st July 2021 and 20th August, 2021, Tembo, Aongola, and Muwanei did attempt to unlawfully export 23 containers laden with Mukula logs through Chirundu Boarder and 16 containers laden with Mukula logs through Katima Mulilo borders without the necessary permits and licences. Makumba, Tembo, Muwanei and Aongola have all been released on bond and will appear in court soon,” he stated.

He said early this year, the Commission arrested Ackson Tembo and charged him with two counts of Conveyance of Forestry Produce without a License and one count of Unlawful Export of Mukula timber contrary to the Laws of Zambia.

“Also arrested earlier this year for corrupt practices involving exportation of Mukula logs are former Chief Executive Officer at the Industrial Development Corporation Mateyo Kaluba; Retired Brig. General Gilbert Wails Mulenga of the Zambia Army and Chairperson of the Central Joint Operations Sub Committee; Colonel Maliwa Muwanei, Zambia National Service Director of Operations; Never Njobvu, former Executive Director at the Office of the President, Special Division; and Bruce Aongola, Executive Officer at the Office of the President, Special Division.”

“All these were members of the Central Joint Operations Sub Committee. They were arrested and individually charged with one count of Abuse of Authority of Office, contrary to Section 21 sub section 1 of the Anti-Corruption Act number 3 of 2012,” he added.