A joint team of the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), has arrested former Minister of Community Development and Social Development Emerine Kabanshi for abuse of authority of office.

In a statement, the Drug Enforcement Commission stated that Kabanshi, 54, was arrested for unduly influencing the engagement of the Zambia Postal Services Corporation to pay social cash transfer funds to beneficiaries.

“The Joint Investigations Team (JIT) comprising the Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit (AMLIU) of the Drug Enforcement Commission and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has arrested former Minister of Community Development and Social Services, Honourable Emerine Kabanshi, for abuse of authority of office. Ms. Emerine Kabanshi, 54, a politician residing at Plot 800, Kanakantapa area in Chongwe District, has been arrested for abuse of authority of office, contrary to the laws of Zambia,” read the statement.

“Particulars of the offence are that Honourable Emerine Kabanshi, in her official capacity as Minister of Community Development and Social Services, jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, on dates unknown but between 1st January, 2017 and 21st August, 2017, in Lusaka did abuse her authority of office by unduly influencing the engagement of Zambia Postal Services Corporation (ZAMPOST) as payment service provider under the Social Cash Transfer Programme, an act prejudicial to the interests of the Government of the Republic of Zambia and beneficiaries under the Social Cash Transfer Programme.”

Kabanshi is also accused of having abused her authority by directing the extension of the scope of work of the Zambia Postal Services Corporation.

“Additionally, Honourable Kabanshi, on dates unknown but between 21st August, 2017 and 26th April, 2018, in her official capacity as Minister of Community Development and Social Services did abuse her authority of office by directing the extension of the Zambia Postal Services Corporation scope of works under the Social Cash Transfer Programme to include areas which were not covered in the initial contract,” read the statement.

“Further, having probable and justifiable cause to believe that the said contract was duly terminated by the Ministry, Honourable Emerine Kabanshi did abuse her authority of office by directing the rescission of the termination of the contract between Zambia Postal Services Corporation (ZAMPOST) and the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, an act prejudicial to the interests of the Government of the Republic of Zambia and Beneficiaries under the said programme. The suspect is on Police bond and will appear in court soon.”

President Edgar Lungu fired Kabanshi in September last year after ordering a probe into the misuse of donor funds.

British High Commissioner Fergus Cochrane-Dyet recently said his government had not yet unfrozen all bilateral aid to Zambia as the forensic audit had not yet been completed.