By Nation Reporter
AN investigations officer of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), testifying in a case in which former deputy minister of Local Government and Housing Moses Muteteka is charged with eight counts of abuse of authority of office and theft, has told the court that Muteteka breached the guidelines when distributing the hammer mills and bicycles.
Oscar Chipoka, in his testimony, said investigations carried out in Chisamba constituency revealed that Muteteka distributed six hammer mills, solar panels and 25 bicycles to his relatives.
Mr Chipoka testified that he interviewed the assistant director of administration for Local Government who explained the procedures to be followed in the management of Constituency Development Funds (CDF).
He added that he also had an interview with Brian Simukoko from the Ministry who conducted an audit involving the procurement of hammer mills by the Chisamba District Council who indicated that during the auditing period he had an interview with Muteteka who later gave him a breakdown of the distribution of the hammer mills. Mr Chipoka told the court that according to Mr Simukoko’s report one of the hammer mills was given to a villager Mr Daniel Siakuma who was believed to be related to the accused.
The former deputy minister is alleged to have given another hammer mill belonging to the council to his nephew Isaac Masu of Kanakantapa area in Chongwe district. It was also established that another hammer mill was given to Muteteka’s sister Elidah Mulongwe and another to Teddy Milambo of Chinkomena ward.
Mr Chipoka said one mill was given to Kabangwa Basic School while one community school exchanged the hammer mill for a solar panel. He added that interviews with the beneficiaries and the community revealed that the mills were given to them by the accused as gifts and personal property. Members of the public did not benefit.
Muteteka, 41, the former MMD Member of Parliament for Chisamba, is alleged to have abused the authority of his office by giving a hammer mill he obtained from Government to his sister, an act allegedly arbitrary and prejudicial to the interest of the Government.
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