Four Arrested in Mkushi as ACC Exposes K1 Million Contract Corruption Scheme

Four individuals have been arrested in Mkushi, Central Province, in connection with an alleged corruption scheme involving K100,000 in payments linked to a government contract worth over K1 million.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) confirmed the arrests through Acting Head of Corporate Communications Chilufya Chisanga. Those detained include two Ministry of Education officials - Patrick Nkhuwa, a Planning Officer, and Nakeempa Okello, an Accounts Assistant, both attached to the District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) Office - as well as two bank employees, Joseph Mwape and Dennis Baines.

According to the ACC, the four suspects allegedly worked together between July and December 2025 to corruptly facilitate the award of a goods supply contract to Ichikwanka Multi-Purpose Cooperative. Investigations established that the suspects received K100,000 in payments as inducement in connection with the contract, which was valued at more than K1 million.

The arrests reflect the ACC's continued efforts to pursue corruption within public institutions, particularly where procurement processes are involved. The involvement of both government officials and private sector employees points to a coordinated scheme designed to manipulate the contracting process for personal gain.

All four suspects are expected to face charges under Zambia's Anti-Corruption Act. The ACC has urged members of the public with information about corrupt practices in government offices or financial institutions to report them through official channels.