ACB arrests Chaponda, Transglobe boss over maizegate
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested Former Minister of Agriculture George Chaponda and Director of Transglobe Export Produce Limited, Rashid Tayub for their alleged involvement in the dubious maize purchase from Zambia.
The two were separately interrogated by the ACB before being arrested. ACB says it had the warrant of arrest from 14 July.
Chaponda arrived at the ACB offices for questioning at 8:30 AM, in the company of his lawyer Jai Banda and many supporters while Tayub arrived silently and walked in like any ordinary person as most people did not recognise him.
ACB says Chaponda is likely to be charged with corruptly performing public functions, misuse of public office and possession of foreign currency contrary to section 25A (1), 25B (1) of the Corrupt Practices Act and Regulation 25A(1) of the Exchange Control Regulations Act respectively.
On the same case, the ACB has also arrested CEO of Grain Traders Association Ms Grace Mijiga Mhango who is likely to be charged with forgery contrary to Section 351 of the Penal Code.
Tayub and his Transglobe are suspected to have played a crucial role in the flawed and suspicious procurement of maize from Zambia by Admarc.
ACB publicist Egrita Ndala says Tayub is likely to be charged with influencing a public officer to misuse his public office contrary to Section 25 B(2) of the Corrupt Practices Act.
The Bureau says the two will be taken to court after it has recorded caution statements from them. It later conducted joint investigations of the two.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people have gathered outside the ACB Anti-Corruption Bureau offices in Blantyre, anxiously waiting outside to see Chaponda.
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