By The Forum

Eleven individuals accused of defrauding the Greenbelt Authority (GBA) of MWK36.7 billion are expected to stand trial on February 27, 2026.

Acting Director General of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Gabriel Chembezi, said on Friday that all 11 suspects have been formally charged with various offences under the Corrupt Practices Act and the Penal Code.

“They have been released on bail, with the earliest trial scheduled for February 27, 2026,” Chembezi said.

He added that, alongside the criminal prosecutions, the Bureau will commence civil asset forfeiture proceedings targeting properties believed to be proceeds of crime.

Chembezi also confirmed that the ACB has executed all 11 warrants of arrest obtained during the first round of arrests in the matter.

Of the 11 suspects, six are GBA officials: Chief Executive Officer Eric Dudley Chidzungu; Director of Irrigation Operations Dr Chisomo Kumbuyo; Director of Finance and Investments Linda Phiri; Procurement and Assets Disposal Manager Masautso Kamowa; Infrastructure Development Manager Synoden Kautsi; and Irrigation Engineer Chester Chikwere.

The remaining five are contractors: Innocent Kawinuwinu, Managing Director of Kabiki & Partners Engineering Services; Stanley Bakolo, Managing Director of PLMB Engineering Investment; Victor Chabwera, also Managing Director of PLMB Engineering Investment; Ephrone Mwenitete, Managing Director of EMD Consulting Engineers; and Kenneth Khonje, Managing Director of Einstein Construction Limited.

The ACB has intensified investigations into GBA following reports of alleged dubious payments amounting to MWK36,782,078,832.91.

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