Anti-Corruption Bureau pounces on Charles Mchacha, 2 others

Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) agents Thursday arrested former minister of Irrigation and Water Development Charles Mchacha on allegations that he influenced Lilongwe Water Board (LWB) to pay bills for his honeymoon at Ryalls Hotel in Blantyre.

A statement from the bureau, which spokesperson Egritta Ndala has signed, indicates that Njoloma, as principal secretary for Irrigation and Water Development, and Moses Mwenye, who was serving as acting chief executive officer for LWB, allegedly aided and abetted Mchacha to abuse his instructing the process of preparing payment, using government funds, for lodging services and beverages at Ryalls Hotel in Blantyre. office by initiating and

“It is true that the ACB has arrested Mchacha alongside his then ministry’s principal secretary Dr Henrie Njoloma and Moses Mwenye. They will be taken to court after the bureau has interviewed them,” Ndala said

ACB alleges that the Thyolo West Democratic Progressive Party Member of Parliament abused office by directing Njoloma to facilitate access to lodging services and foodstuffs for his advantage and for the advantage of others at Ryalls Hotel in Blantyre using Government of Malawi funds on the pretext of lobbying for the adjustment of water tariffs.

According to the statement, the graft-busting body received a complaint on August 24 2020 alleging that LWB paid for Mchacha’s honeymoon at Ryalls Hotel in Blantyre.

“On 26th August 2021, the ACB arrested Hon. Charles Mchacha, Henrie Njoloma and Moses Mwenye,” the ACB statement reads.

Ndala says the trio will be charged with abuse of office, in line with Section 25B (1) as read with Section 35, of the Corrupt Practices Act; neglect of duty, and; theft by conversion, in line with sections 121 and 270 as read with Section 278 of the Penal Code, respectively.