MAXWELL CHONGU TOGETHER WITH WIFE ARRESTED BY DEC FOR MONEY LAUNDERING.
PRESS STATEMENT
Lusaka, Friday, 10th February 2023
The Drug Enforcement Commission through its Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit has arrested a Lusaka couple for money laundering involving K5 million.
The Commission has jointly charged and arrested Maxwell Chongu and Rozyna Mweemba Mumba for Forgery and Uttering False Documents contrary to sections 342 and 352 respectively of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia, Fraudulent/Collusive Practices contrary to section 74 (1) and (2) of the Public Procurement Act No. 12 of 2008 of the Laws of Zambia and Money Laundering contrary to section 7 of the Prohibition and Prevention of Money Laundering Act No. 14 of 2001 as amended by Act No. 44 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the matter are that Maxwell Chongu a Businessman aged 41 years and Rozyna Mweemba Mumba a Businesswoman aged 38 both of House No. 10 Sugar Street, Avondale, Lusaka jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown on dates unknown but between 1st January 2020 and 30th November 2021 did forge two quotations for FMC Farms Ltd and Simuliya Trading Investments Ltd bearing K7 million and K9 million respectively which were later uttered to the Ministry of Health for the supply of 100,000 KN 95 face masks. This fraudulent and collusive practice resulted in the award of a K5 million contract to Greenside Suppliers and Investments Ltd, a company in which the couple are Directors/Shareholders.
The couple further engaged in money laundering involving the K5 million proceeds of crime and acquired among others, one unregistered Toyota Landcruiser. They are currently on bond and will appear in court soon.
In another matter, the Commission in Lusaka has arrested seven people for illicit drug trafficking.
The Commission has jointly charged and arrested James Mwewa Makuliki, a Businessman aged 46 of Chalala, Lonas Mativenga, a Businessman aged 34 of John Laing, Morgan Chavula, a male aged 29 of Kanyama for trafficking in 2, 544 bottles of Benylin with Codeine Cough Syrup contrary to section 15 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act No. 35 of 2021 of the Laws of Zambia.
The Commission has since seized a Green Honda CRV with registration number ABZ 8344 and a multicolour Toyota Hiace Panel Van with registration number BAP 4973 that were carrying the contraband.
In another incident, the Commission has jointly charged and arrested Elizabeth Kamaloni, a Businesswoman aged 41 of Chilenje South, Oliver Jere a male Bio-Chemical Engineer aged 41 and Douglas Mwanza, a male Taxi Driver aged 30 both of Kaunda Square and Bwalya Chewe a female aged 31 years of Matero for trafficking in 1, 056 bottles of Benylin with Codeine. The Commission has also seized a Silver Toyota Allion bearing registration number BLA 4980 that was carrying the consignment.
The suspects were apprehended in a special operation conducted in Lusaka’s Makeni area.
Kamaloni is believed to have been selling Benylin with Codeine illegally as a search of her house led to the discovery of a further 864 bottles.
The suspects are detained in lawful custody and will appear in court soon.
Hussein Khan
Public Relations Officer
DRUG ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION