Zambian woman Faith Musonda, who is behind the K65 million and US$57,900 has surrendered them to the State in exchange for her freedom.
The State has also taken possession of the house in which the money was found.
In a media statement, Anti-Corruption Commission public relations officer Jonathan Siame said the possession follows the conclusion of investigations by a joint investigative team from ACC, the Drug Enforcement Commission, Zambia Police and the Financial Intelligence Centre.
“The general public is hereby informed that the Joint Investigative Team from the Anti-Corruption Commission, Zambia Police Service, Drug Enforcement Commission and Financial Intelligence Centre has since concluded investigations involving Margaret Chisela Musonda, alias Faith Musonda in which she was found in possession of ZMW 65, 333, 046 and US$ 57, 900 which was discovered in a house in New Kasama,” he said.
Mr Siamme said on Friday 15th October 2021, the State, using Section 80 of the Anti-Corruption Act No.3 of 2012, entered into an undertaking not to institute criminal proceedings against Ms. Musonda on condition that she fulfils the requirements of Section 80 of the Anti-Corruption Act No3. Of 2012, which she did.
He said Section 80 of the Act allows the State to grant amnesty to accused persons in certain instances on condition that they admit wrongdoing and return what they wrongfully acquired through corrupt practices.
“The advantage of using Section 80 in cases of asset recovery is that it saves on time by eliminating the prosecution process which can be lengthy, leading to assets losing value or getting damaged, and it also saves on the cost of investigation and prosecution.
“According to Section 80 (3) of the Anti-Corruption Act No.3 of 2012, The Anti-Corruption Commission “may tender an undertaking, in writing, not to institute criminal proceedings against a person who has given a full and true disclosure of all material facts relating to past corrupt conduct and an illegal activity by that person or others; and, has voluntarily paid, deposited or refunded all property the person acquired through corruption or illegal activity,” he stated.
Mr Siame said as required by law, Ms Musonda has since made a full disclosure of the money in question and has willingly surrendered the same to the State.
“She was charged with Possession of Property Reasonably Suspected to be Proceeds of Crime contrary to Section 71 of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crimes Act No.19 of 2010.
The State has also taken possession of the House in New Kasama, in which the money was found. The House, property Subdivision No.4 of Subdivision B of Lot 11279/M, valued at K 6 Million was owned by OCK Investments Limited, a company in which Ms. Musonda is a majority shareholder. The property was reasonably suspected to have been proceeds of crime,” he said.
Mr Siame explained that after fulfilling the requirements of Section 80 of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012, the State undertook to not institute criminal proceedings against the company.
He said the Joint Investigative Team is working timely to recover suspected illegally obtained assets and funds, and will continue to pursue all available avenues to speed up the process of recovering assets and other proceeds of crime.
“We urge all well-meaning Zambians who have any information with regard to any suspected illegally obtained assets to come forward and report to any of the institutions aforementioned,” he said.
