The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested businessman Zameer Karim over the Malawi Police Service (MPS) food rations scandal.
The bureau has also arrested Central Region Commissioner of Police Innocent Bottoman and Senior Superintendent Grant Kachingwe.
According ACB spokesperson Egrita Ndala, Karim will be charged with one count of theft contrary to Section 271 as read with Section 278 0r the Penal Code, uttering a false document contrary to Section 360 of the Penal Code and acquiring proceeds of crime contrary to Section 42(1) (c) of the Financial Crimes Act.
“Kachingwe is likely to be charged with forging documents in order to help Pioneer Investments obtain a bank loan.
“Commissioner Botomani is likely to be charged with uttering a false document, abuse of office and acquiring proceeds of crime contrary to Section 360 of the Penal Code 25B(1) of the Corrupt Practices Act and Section 42(1) (c) of the Financial Crimes Act respectively,” said Ndala.
A report by the ACB which leaked in June showed that Karim was fraudulently awarded a K2.3 billion contract to procure ration packs for Malawi Police.
Karim together with the then MPS Director of Finance Bottoman used that deal to steal K466 million and launder K1.4 billion.
After receiving payment for the contract, the businessman then sent K145 million to a Standard Bank account whose sole signatory is Mutharika.
After the money was deposited, the president withdrew K65 million from the account between January and October 2016.
However, the ACB cleared Mutharika who maintained that the money was a donation to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
It was also revealed in October this year that Karim handed the Malawi president a donation of five vehicles worth K85 million and Mutharika registered the five vehicles in his name.
