Ex-Zambian air force boss held

Lusaka – Zambian authorities arrested a former air force commander and charged him with corruption for allegedly acquiring generators for the air force without following tender procedures, said officials yesterday.

General Christopher Singogo, 57, was charged with corruption, theft, and abuse of authority, said the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Singogo was arrested on Tuesday together with his former aide de camp, captain Joseph Phiri, 31, said ACC spokesperson Timothy Moono.”The two have been released on bond and will appear in court on December 17,” said Moono.Singogo, who served as air force commander under President Levy Mwanawasa, was sacked from his position last year after media allegations that he was involved in sexual harassment of female officers.He was also facing other corruption charges after being arrested in December last year on charges of abuse of authority related to him granting contracts to his own companies.He joined a number of other ex-commanders who were on trial for corruption, including ex-army chief Geojago Musengule and another ex-air force commander, Sundie Kayumba.General Wilford Funjika, who served as commander for the Zambia National Service was last month jailed for two months for abuse of authority and corruption involving the procurement of army uniforms.Nampa-AFPSingogo was arrested on Tuesday together with his former aide de camp, captain Joseph Phiri, 31, said ACC spokesperson Timothy Moono.”The two have been released on bond and will appear in court on December 17,” said Moono.Singogo, who served as air force commander under President Levy Mwanawasa, was sacked from his position last year after media allegations that he was involved in sexual harassment of female officers.He was also facing other corruption charges after being arrested in December last year on charges of abuse of authority related to him granting contracts to his own companies.He joined a number of other ex-commanders who were on trial for corruption, including ex-army chief Geojago Musengule and another ex-air force commander, Sundie Kayumba.General Wilford Funjika, who served as commander for the Zambia National Service was last month jailed for two months for abuse of authority and corruption involving the procurement of army uniforms.Nampa-AFP