/ 11 March 2012

Zim AG puts probe into corrupt lawmakers on ice

Zim Ag Puts Probe Into Corrupt Lawmakers On Ice

Zimbabwe’s state media says the country’s top law officer ordered a halt to arrests of lawmakers accused of stealing money from development projects in their districts.

The official Sunday Mail newspaper reported at the weekend that attorney general Johannes Tomana put corruption investigations on hold until a wider audit of all 210 parliamentary constituencies has been completed.

Lawmakers from both parties in the coalition government have been accused of siphoning money from a $50 000 district development package given to every legislator.

The newspaper said three arrests followed audits in only 50 constituencies. It said affected lawmakers “spilled the beans” on the corruption of colleagues in other districts who were not under investigation.

The fate of three lawmakers arrested and given bail so far and another reportedly in hiding was not immediately clear. — Sapa-AP