GBM’s wife probed

FORMER Defence Minister Geoffrey Mwamba’s wife, Chama, and daughter Thandiwe were yesterday morning questioned by police on six counts each of alleged offences committed in 2012.
Police recorded warn-and-caution statements from Ms Mwamba and Thandiwe at Woodlands Police Station in Lusaka a day after Mr Mwamba was warned and cautioned over eight counts of offences he is alleged to have committed during the same period.
Police spokesperson Charity Chanda said the warn-and-caution statements were recorded from Ms Mwamba and Thandiwe for the offences they allegedly committed between April 1 and November 30, 2012.
It is alleged that the two, as directors or partners of Arizona Marketing and Distributors, committed three counts of uttering false documents contrary to section 352 of Cap 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
This involves the manufacturers’ authorisation, company profile and pole specifications to the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) and Zesco which they purported to have been issued by Board Timber Limited of Zimbabwe when in fact not.
Ms Chanda said the two, in their capacity as directors or partners of Arizona Marketing and Distributors, were warned and cautioned for two counts of making a false document contrary to section 344 of Cap 87 of the Laws of Zambia namely, a company profile for Board Timbers and poles specifications purporting that they were issued by Board Timbers Limited when in fact not.
Ms Mwamba and Thandiwe, while acting together with other unknown people, are also 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 Border Timbers Limited of Zimbabwe when in fact not.
“We have not laid any formal charges against the duo but investigations into the matter are still going on,” Ms Chanda said.
Speaking to journalists after being questioned by the police for about 40 minutes, Ms Mwamba confirmed that she was interrogated over the Zesco tender involving Arizona Marketing and Distributors in her capacity as director and that the questioning went on well.
She and her daughter are being represented by lawyers Martha Mushipe and Makebi Zulu.
Prominent among those offering solidarity to the Mwambas were Alliance for Better Zambia leader Frank Bwalya, Lubansenshi Member of Parliament Patrick Mucheleka, United Party for National Development deputy spokesperson Edwin Lifwekelo, and Open Society Foundation executive director Sunday Chanda.

Times of Zambia