Zameer arrest ‘not publicity stunt’:  ACB to prosecute matter to logical conclusion, no shielding

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB)has dismissed claims that  businessperson Zameer Karim and two senior police officers about six months after revelations of suspected dubious transactions in the K2.7 billion Malawi Police Service (MPS) food rations dealwas nothing more than a glitzy publicity stunt.

Arrest publicity stunt? Karim (2nd r) with symapthisers at the court

Karim, police commissioner Innocent Bottoman and senior superintendent Grant Kachingwe were arrested on Tuesday and Wednesday for various offences in relation to the food rations deal through alleged acquisition of proceeds of crime.

But commentators have treated the arrest with a pinch of a salt.

Idriss Ali Nassah, a fierce social and political commentator,  took to Facebook to  say  Malawians will not get justice in the matter.

“Don’t get too excited because Zameer Karim and his associates spent a few hours talking to the police. It’s an arranged catch-and-release tactic. Nothing will come out of it,” wrote  Nassah.

He fears that President Peter Mutharika could be  “compromised” because  has previously faced questions over whether he profited from the award of a K2.7 billion (about $3.9 million) contract to supply rations to the police force.

But ACB officials say the President does not want to interfere with the due process of the law and is infact keen to see justice be done.

A leaked investigative report alleged that Karim after getting his payment on April 12 2016, the following day, he deposited K145 million ( $200 000)   into a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) account at Standard Bank whose sole signatory is President Mutharika.

The ruling party was forced to return it and  an ACB probe subsequently cleared Mutharika of personal wrongdoing from the transaction.

Mutharika said  recently that as May 21 2019 Tripartite Elections is nigh, detractors will target DPP leaders with smear propapanda.

“They will try to make us look corrupt because they know we make every effort to run a clean government,” said Mutharika.

He continued: “They know we have turned around the economy from economic crisis to economic growth because of sound economic management. Our detractors know it well.

“Whatever you will hear in the campaign to come, do not be shaken. Do not lose focus. Let us keep going.”

ACB have  since assured the trio will face prosecution and  no escape from the long arm of the law.

Officer argue that the fact that they have been arrested and formally charged, show there is no  shielding for the three.

Karim of Pioneer Investments is facing three counts of theft of K466 million contrary to Section 278 of the Penal Code, uttering a false document presented to CDH Investment Bank to access a loan contrary to sections 356 and 360 of the Penal Code and acquiring proceeds of crime (K466 million) contrary to Section 42 (1) of the Financial Crimes Act.

On the other hand, Bottoman is accused of uttering false documents which the magistrate said he presented to CDH Investment Bank to enable Karim’s firm, Pioneer Investments, to access a loan.

Bottoman is also accused of abuse of office contrary to Section 25 (b)(1) of the Corrupt Practices Act (CPA) while serving as director of finance at MPS headquarters.

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Old Timer
Old Timer
5 years ago

Those who own small pond in their housing compound do not eat the fish from there because is it a decoration. They may catch one to show kids and throw it back into the pond. That is what is going to happen to this case. The Indian Al Chapo Guzman (rightly liked to leading Mexican drug cartel) will be set free sooner than Malawian tax payers expect. Bottoman and his junior may pay a small price but not Zameer.

Chilungamo
Chilungamo
5 years ago

This matemba man should stop wasting taxpayers money to SANITISE or legimitise broad day light theft by these FAKE ARRESTS and prosecutions
The public stunt of fakely returning the money was more than enough.

benjones
5 years ago

MALAWI HAS REACHED A SHAMEFUL STAGE AT THE MOMENT.

#DzukaniAmalawi
#DzukaniAmalawi
5 years ago

Logical conclusion? Which ACB. Show one case, just one; that has reached its logical conclusion not peppered with corruption. ACB itself is corrupt to the core and is an embarrassment to all law enforcement agencies in the world.

ELIJAH VERSUS BAAL
5 years ago

PROBLEM WE ENTERTAIN AMWENYES — NIGERIANS – CHINESE–BURUNDI –TAIFAS– AND THE LIKE TOO MUCH IN MALAWI —–IT’S OK IF A FOREIGNER STEALS SOMETHING BIG BUT WHEN IT’S OUR FELLOW MALAWIAN WE START CALLING NAMES HEE ATUMBUKA–HEEE ACHAWA –HEEE MLOMWE —HEEE MSENA

Kumzy
Kumzy
5 years ago

Zameer plz mention that u were sent by him u Wii on bail

Duduzane
5 years ago

Why people especially the youth are flocking to south africa hense the economy of malawi is good? Don’t tell us shit you dpp.

No Keacha Only Darkness.
No Keacha Only Darkness.
5 years ago

Kareem was only arrested and has been charged to fool Malawians. Kareem just like Tayoub was is already out on bail. Now Kareem will be busy corrupting court and ACB officials. My brothers it’s one law for Malawians and another for these crooked Indians. The Indians own Malawi all our politicians are in their pockets. APM will never allow Kareem to suffer, if it was a Malawian would he get bail NO.

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