The Marka-Bangula Railway project which has been marred in political and corruption mud has led to the arrest of former Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Public Infrastructure Patrick Zimpita on corruption charges.
The Anti Corruption Bureau said in a statement that Zimpita was arrested for abuse of office for allegedly instructing the drafting of an award Notice to MOTA Engil without approval of Government Contracting Unit.
The case will be an interesting test of the GCU role in public procurement as experts have accused the OPC based unit of being used as a political sieving centre where ruling party aligned companies get approvals.
The Marka project was cancelled and later awarded to a Chinese contractor amid a social media political fight between ruling party MCP followers who allegedly were paid by one of the contractors to prop up their bid.
ACB Principal Public Relations Officer Egrita Ndala said Zimpita was charged with misuse of public office contrary to section 28B (1) of the Corrupt Practices Act and neglect of Official Duty contrary to Penal Code Section 121.
Zimpita was bailed after paying K300,000 and one surety of the same amount and he will report to ACB every fortnight.
