Social welfare officer jailed for diverting K170,000 meant for beneficiaries

The Isoka Subordinate Court has sentenced Jonathan Maruzah, a 40-year-old Assistant Social Welfare Officer, to two years imprisonment with hard labor for fraudulently diverting K170,000 intended for social welfare beneficiaries.

Presiding Magistrate Judge Bwali convicted Maruzah on nine counts of fraudulent or unlawful diversion of public property.

The sentences, which would run concurrently, were handed down on October 17, 2024.

Additionally, the court ordered the forfeiture of K180,050 to the State.

Maruzah, of Mufulira’s Kombe Drive, was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in 2020 for offenses committed between January 2016 and January 2017, while he was working at the Mafinga District Social Welfare Office.

He was initially charged with 11 counts but was acquitted on two counts.

ACC spokesperson Timothy Moono, in a statement issued on Wednesday, emphasized that the conviction reflected the Commission’s commitment to holding public officials accountable for the misuse of public funds.

Moono said this was money meant for social welfare beneficiaries and administration of Mafinga Social Welfare Department, a public body.

He stated that Maruza was, however, acquitted on counts seven and eleven.

“This conviction underscores the Anti-Corruption Commission’s commitment to ensuring that public officials are held accountable for any abuse of public funds,” Moono said.

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