(NAIS) Fisheries and Livestock Minister PETER KAPALA has welcomed the arrest of three Ministry officers by the Anti-Corruption Commission ACC.
Mr. KAPALA says the Ministry is fully cooperating and will continue to work closely with all law enforcement agencies throughout the ongoing investigations.
Speaking in Lusaka, Mr. KAPALA said his Ministry remains committed to transparency, accountability, and integrity in the management of public resources.
He assured the public, cooperating partners, and all stakeholders that the Ministry will not tolerate any form of corruption.
Mr. KAPALA added that the Ministry has already begun implementing stronger internal control measures to close any loopholes and improve financial and operational oversight.
This week, the ACC announced the arrest of three Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock officers for alleged corrupt practices involving more than 5.2 million dollars.
The Commission identified the suspects as HENRY SICHONE, Lusaka Province Livestock Research Officer; PETER MICHESE, District Accountant for Chinsali; and ABRAHAM MULENGA, Central Province Fisheries and Livestock Marketing Development Officer.
The officers are accused of misappropriating part of a 10,000,000-dollar loan that the Government obtained from the African Development Bank in 2019.
Disbursement of the loan began in 2020 and was scheduled to run until 2024. However, due to delays, the period was extended to June this year (2025).
The loan was intended for use under the Sustainable Livestock Infrastructure Management Project -SLIMP, aimed at improving livestock infrastructure, boosting production through commercialisation, and providing capacity building for Ministry staff.
The project was earmarked for implementation in Muchinga and Northern Provinces.
