Matemba, Suzi-Banda Arrested on Corruption Allegations

…Matemba granted bail

The former Anti-Corruption Bureau boss, Raynex Matemba who is currently working as the Principal Secretary in the ministry of Justice was on Friday afternoon arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau.

Matemba was arrested together with the former Board Chairperson for the public procurement and Disposal of Assests (PPDA) Authority, John Suzi-Banda on suspicion that they got involved in United Kingdom based Businessman, Zuneth Sattar’s bribe Web.

According to the statement released by the Bureau, the two are suspected to have been involved in fraudulent procurement of 350 000 police food ration packs in a contra t worthy $7, 875, 000 by Xaviar Limited, a company owned by the business tycoon, Zuneth Sattar.

The statement reads, “The investigations conducted by the Bureau established that Mr Reyneck Matemba corruptly received USD10,000 as an advantage for the vetting process of the food rations contract.

“Mr. John Suzi-Banda received MK3,000,000.00 from Mr Zuneth Sattar’s agent Zun Cheena to influence Mr. John Suzi-Banda to grant a no objection for the Malawi Police Service to award the contract to Xaviar Limited. “

According to the statement, Matemba was likely to be charged with one account of corrupt use of official powers contrary to Section 25 (1) of the Corrupt Practices Act while John Suzi-Banda was charged with one account of obtaining an advantage contrary to laws of the country.

Meanwhile, hours after his arrest, Former ACB Director General, Reyneck Matemba was granted a bail.

Chief Resident Magistrate, Madalitso Chimwaza said there was no justification to hold on to the accused person as the state has indicated that investigations have already been concluded into the case.

Matemba has been instructed to pay a bail bond of MK500,000 cash, provide two sureties and report to ACB once every month.

ACB submitted a reported to the President of the Republic, Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera which showed that there are a total of 84 people who benefited from Sattar’s Bribes including Inspector General of Police, Dr George Kainja, Vice president, Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima among others.