ASSISTANT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER CONVICTED FOR FRAUDULENT DIVERSION OF K170,000
The Isoka Subordinate Court has convicted Jonathan Maruzah, an Assistant Social Welfare Officer, for fraudulently diverting K170,000 meant for social welfare beneficiaries for personal use.
Maruzah, aged 40, from Mufulira, has been sentenced to two years imprisonment with hard labour on each of the nine counts of fraudulent or unlawful diversion of public property.
The offence is contrary to Section 34(1)(b), as read with Section 41, of the Anti-Corruption Act Number 3 of 2012. The sentences will run concurrently from 17th October, 2024.
Additionally, the court has entered a statutory judgment for K180,050 to be forfeited to the State.
Maruzah was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in 2020 on 11 counts of unlawful diversion of public property.
ACC Head of Corporate Communications, Timothy Moono, stated that between 1st January, 2016 and 30th January, 2017, in Mafinga, Maruzah unlawfully diverted K223,670 for his benefit.
Moono emphasized that the conviction underscores the Commission’s commitment to holding public officials accountable for any abuse of public funds.
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