Former Monze Town Council Officials Arrested for Conflict of Interest

Two former Monze Town Council officials, Benson Bweenje and Maybin Mudenda Choongo, have been arrested by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for conflict of interest.

Bweenje, who is currently the Council Secretary at Itezhi Tezhi Town Council, is alleged to have participated in a decision by the Monze Town Council regarding the subdivision and change of use of plot 271 Sinaluchaba Road in Monze without declaring his interest in the property.

Choongo, a former councilor for Hamangaba Ward, is accused of the same offense.

According to a statement released by Timothy Moono, Head of Corporate Communications at the ACC, investigations revealed that Bweenje and Choongo had purchased the plot from Boyd Chongo Mwanakambowe in 2018 and 2019, respectively. 

They then allegedly requested Mwanakambowe to apply to the council for the subdivision and change of land use to enable them to use the land for commercial purposes.

The ACC alleges that both Bweenje and Choongo participated in the council meeting that decided on the application, failing to disclose their conflict of interest.

Bweenje and Choongo have been released on bond and are scheduled to appear in court on May 10, 2024.