The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested Jappie Mhango, Vice President of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for the Northern Region, on charges of abuse of office and providing false information to ACB officers.
In a statement released by ACB spokesperson Egrita Ndala, the bureau alleges that Mhango, while serving as Minister of Transport and Public Works between 2016 and 2017, authorized the sale of government houses at undervalued prices, resulting in significant financial losses for the state.
“He is suspected of having abused his office for the benefit of Cuthbert Mhango and 11 others by facilitating the sale of Ministry of Transport and Public Works houses at an underpriced value of K2.95 million,” said Ndala.
The bureau further alleges that Mhango lied to investigators during a session at the ACB’s Mzuzu offices on April 11, 2022. According to the statement, he claimed not to know the landlord of a house rented by his second wife, Miss Thokozile Wanda, in Chimaliro, Mzuzu. However, investigations revealed that the house had been purchased from the ministry during his tenure and is owned by his direct relative, Cuthbert Mhango.
Mhango is expected to face charges related to abuse of public office and providing false information to the Bureau. The ACB says it will proceed with the legal process in accordance with the law.
