By Augustus Nkhwazi

Mzuzu, April 27, Mana: The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested two officials at M’mbelwa District Council concerning the earlier arrest of Mzimba North Parliamentarian Yeremiah Chihana on corruption-related charges.

The suspects have been charged with falsifying information to the District Commissioner (DC) to deceive M’mbelwa District Council Procurement Committee.

According to a statement signed by ACB’s Senior Public Relations Officer Egritta Ndala, the two are former Acting Director of Public Works for M’mbelwa District Council, George Gopani and an accountant for Northworks Limited, Gabriel Mkandawire.

Ndala said the two were arrested on April 22, 2025, and appeared before Chief Resident Magistrate Court in Mzuzu where they were charged and released on bail.

Chief Resident Magistrate Godfrey Balaka granted the two bail on the condition that they should be reporting at ACB offices in Mzuzu once every fortnight, pay a cash bond of K200 000 each, provide one surety each bonded at K500 000 non-cash and surrender travel documents to the bureau.

The statement said ACB investigations established that in August 2022, Gopani provided false information to the DC for grading of roads in Mzimba North Constituency under Honourable Yeremiah Chihana, to authorize payment of K15 million to Northworks Limited which is contrary to section 122(a) of the penal code.

It further said ACB investigations established that in May 2022, Mkandawire forged an official document purporting to be a quotation from E and V Engineering for grading of KIA-Luhomero-Kasasile Road, Enukweni-Kavula-Malokotera Road and Bwengu-Katope Road in Mzimba North Constituency which is contrary to section 358 of the penal code.