In an unprecedented move, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has arrested a serving Auditor General for corrupt practices involving over K1 million, an offence he allegedly committed when he served as Accountant General in the Ministry of Finance.
Dr Dick Sichembe has been charged with one count of obtaining goods by false pretenses contrary to Section 309 of the Penal Code, Cap 87 of the Laws of Zambia, one count of conspiracy to defraud the Government of the Republic of Zambia Contrary to Section 313 of the Penal Code, Cap 87 of the Laws of Zambia and one count of willful failure to follow applicable procedures contrary to Section 34 of the ACC Act No.3 of 2012.
The ACC head of corporate communication Timothy Moono, said in a statement that Dr Sichembe has further been charged with one count of theft by servant contrary to Section 278 as read with Section272 of the Penal Code Cap 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
Dr Sichembe who has since been released on bond will appear court soon.
He has been Auditor General since 2020 when he was appointed by former President Edgar Lungu. Before that, he served as Accountant General in the Ministry of Finance.
Last year, Transparency International conducted an investigation which established a cartel at the Ministry that siphoned huge amounts of money between 2019 and 2021 using fictitious events to draw allowances.
