Catholic Priest Arrested Over K1.5 Million Properties
By Arnold Tutu
A Catholic priest of the Lusaka Archdiocese, Fr. TITUS MALAMA SANDE, has been arrested and charged by the Anti-Corruption Commission –ACC- for allegedly possessing and concealing properties worth K1.5 million suspected to be proceeds of crime
FR. SANDE, 45, of 15 Miles in the Chikumbi area of Chibombo District, is facing four counts of possession and concealment of properties reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime, contrary to Section 71(1) of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act No. 19 of 2010.
ACC Head – Corporate Communications, JOSEPH MWENYA, has said in a statement that the alleged offences were committed between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2025 in Lusaka District, jointly with other persons unknown.
In the first and second counts, FR. SANDE is alleged to have possessed and concealed bonds valued at K538,000 held at a named bank.
In the third and fourth counts, he is alleged to have concealed two motor vehicles, a Toyota Hilux and a Toyota Dyna light truck, valued at a combined K1 million, by registering them in his name while allegedly knowing that they had been acquired by VERONICA CHISANGA KABWE.
Mr. MWENYA said the bonds and motor vehicles are reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime.
FR. SANDE has since been released on bond and is expected to appear in court soon.
His arrest is linked to the apprehension of former Ministry of Community Development and Social Services –MCDSS- Executive Officer VERONICA CHISANGA KABWE and Zambia News and Information Service –ZANIS- Senior News Editor CHIMANGENI BANDA, who were arrested last month for alleged possession and concealment of properties worth K5.6 million.
The ACC has urged members of the public to refrain from engaging in corrupt practices, warning that corruption and the concealment of proceeds of crime will not be tolerated, regardless of an individual’s position or status in society.
The Commission has also reiterated its call on members of the public to report suspected cases of corruption.