ACB gets fresh orders against Cashgate bank accounts

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has obtained fresh court orders to freeze bank accounts of suspects in the Cashgate scandal, three months after the initial orders expired.

In October 2013, ACB obtained freezing orders for 37 bank accounts in various banks, but could not extend the sanctions after the expiry of the statutory three months.

ACB public relations officer Egritta Ndala confirmed during the week that the 37 accounts are back on the hit list.

“The bureau renewed the restriction notices on the frozen accounts in relation to the ongoing Cashgate investigations. The bureau still has 37 accounts frozen,” she said.

But Ndala could not say whether the accounts were being monitored during the period they were accessible to their holders, saying the bureau did not lose any information pertaining to the cases.

Chapter 17 of the Corrupt Practices Act empowers ACB to seek court orders to freeze bank accounts belonging to people under investigations.

“A notice issued under subsection (1) shall have effect from the time of service and shall continue in force for a period of three months or until cancelled by the director, whichever is earlier, but may upon expiry be renewed for further periods of three months on application to a magistrate showing cause why the notice should be renewed,” reads the section.