Police warn and caution GBM

—-Police have recorded a warn and caution statement from former Defence Minister Geoffrey Mwamba (GBM).

This is in connection with eight counts of alleged offences over his directing and influencing the award of a contract for supply and delivery of wooden poles to the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO).

Mr. Mwamba is alleged to have committed the offences between April 1 and November 30, 2012.

Police Spokesperson Charity Munganga confirmed when she briefed the media after a warn and caution statement was recorded from Mr.Mwamba.

Ms Munganga said the former Defence Minister is in the First count alleged to have committed the offence of disobedience of statutory duty contrary to section 126 Cap 87 of the Laws of Zambia whilst he was acting as Republican President as per government Gazette Notice No. 238 of 2012.

In the second count Mr Mwamba is alleged to have abused his authority of office contrary to section 21(1)(a) and (b) of the Anti-corruption Act No. 3 of the 2012 by directing and influencing the award of a contract for supply and delivery of wooden poles to ZESCO on a one year running contract to Arizona marketing and distributers, a company in which he was a director and partner.

Mr.Mwamba also as Director/Partner of Arizona Marketing and distributers is alleged to have committed three counts of uttering a false document contrary to the laws of Zambia involving manufacturers authorisation, company profile and pole specifications to the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) and ZESCO purporting them to have been issued by Board Timber Limited of Zimbabwe.

Ms Munganga further said Mr. Mwamba has also been warned and cautioned for two counts of making a false document namely a company profile for Boarder Timbers and poles specifications purporting that they were issued from Boarder Timbers when they were actually not.

She added that in the last count, Mr Mwamba is alleged to have forged two manufacturers authorisation documents contrary to section 342 of Cap 87 of the Laws of Zambia purporting that they were issued by Boarder Timbers Limited.

Ms Munganga said investigations into the matter will continue.

And Mr. Mwamba who was accompanied by his wife Chama and other family members arrived at Woodlands Police Station in Lusaka at 14:25 hours in the afternoon.

Mr. Mwamba told journalists after a warn and caution statement was recorded from him that he could not comment over the matter as he has to go through the document from Police with his lawyer in order for him to issue a comprehensive statement.

He said his lawyer will get back to police after they have gone through the document.

Mr. Mwamba further said he is still a strong member of PF and still respects the Republican President and the ruling Party.

Meanwhile, there was tight security as police officers in riot gear kept vigil at Woodlands  Police station as GBM’ supporters kept chanting slogans in his support through-out the almost one hour when he was being interviewed by Police.