THE Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has arrested former Zambia Army Chief of Operations Brigadier General Gilbert Mulenga and an officer in the Office of the President Special Division Bruce Aongola for corruption involving exportation of Mukula.

In a statement, Thursday, ACC spokesperson Queen Chibwe said the duo had separately been arrested and charged with one count of abuse of authority of office.

“The Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested a former Zambia Army Chief of Operations and an Officer in the Office of the President Special Division for corruption involving exportation of Mukula logs without following laid down procedure. Brigadier General Gilbert Wails Mulenga (retired) aged 55 of 96 Independence Avenue, Woodlands in Lusaka and Bruce Aongola aged 46, an Executive Officer at the Office of the President Special Division of Lusaka have separately been arrested and charged with one count of Abuse of Authority of Office, contrary to Section 99 of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia,” read the statement.

Chibwe said Brigadier General Mulenga last year resolved to regularize an attempted illegal export to China of 23 containers laden with Mukula logs.

“Details are that Brigadier General Gilbert Wails Mulenga whilst acting together with persons unknown on dates unknown but between 1st June 2021 and 30th September 2021 in Lusaka did Abuse the Authority of Office by arbitrarily resolving to regularize an attempted illegal export to China of Twenty-Three (23) containers laden with Mukula logs transported by Ackson Tembo of ACK General Suppliers. This is an act which is prejudicial to the interest of the Government of the Republic of Zambia. Bruce Aongola has also been arrested and charged with the same offence of Abuse of Authority of Office by arbitrarily resolving to regularize an attempted illegal export to China of Twenty-Three (23) containers laden with Mukula logs transported by Ackson Tembo of ACK General Suppliers,” Chibwe said.

She said the duo had been released on bond and would appear in court soon.

“The duo has since been released on Bond and will appear in court soon. In October last year, the Commission intercepted and seized a consignment of 23 trucks laden with Mukula logs belonging to Ackson Tembo, a Lusaka Businessman and proprietor of ACK General Suppliers. The trucks were enroute to neighboring Namibia and Zimbabwe, with unknown final destinations. Mr. Tembo was recently arrested by the Commission for Conveyancing of Forestry Produce without a License and Unlawful Exportation of Mukula timber contrary to the Laws of Zambia,” stated Chibwe.