Zambian Whistleblower’s Family Dragged into Corruption War

By Kennedy Mbewe Jnr | MakanDay Investigates

The sudden transfer of a teacher—allegedly over her blonde plaited hairstyle—appears to be the latest act of retaliation linked to the ongoing persecution of whistleblower Grandy Ntumbo, who exposed the theft of over a billion kwacha in public funds at the Ministry of Finance.

Nancy Mulenga Chiwala, a teacher at Lukanga Primary School in Kabwe, was abruptly reassigned to Mwashi Primary School, just one kilometre away. The District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) described the move as being for “administrative convenience”.

Chiwala is the wife of Grandy Ntumbo, the Principal Internal Auditor at the Ministry of Finance, who led a 2019 special audit that uncovered a five-year payroll fraud scheme worth over K2 million at the Ministry of Education, along with the misuse of K500,000 from the World Bank-funded Zambia Education Enhancement Project (ZEEP) at the Provincial Education Office in Kabwe.

The audit also revealed widespread financial misconduct in ZEEP and the Keeping Girls in School (KGS) initiative, including irregular staff allowances, unauthorised government account withdrawals, and breaches of a presidential directive restricting official travel.

As Ntumbo collaborated with the Anti-Corruption Commission, his investigation unearthed a far-reaching corruption and money laundering network involving the Ministry of Finance, the Auditor General’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Commission.

His efforts have resulted in severe reprisals, including suspension, removal from the payroll, and continued harassment by officials who have largely avoided prosecution.

Now, the retaliation appears to have reached his wife. MakanDay has established that Chiwala’s transfer followed a school visit by the DEBS, who expressed disapproval of her hairstyle.

In a letter dated June 02, 2025 and signed by DEBS Inonge Mulemwa, Chiwala was informed of the transfer and instructed to complete Accounts Form 81. The letter clarified that the move came with no settling-in allowance and was “for administrative convenience only until the position is filled by the Teaching Service Commission”.

Mulemwa, who gave an elaborate explanation, insisted the transfer was a promotion and part of a routine administrative process.

 “That letter is a promotion, my dear. Mwashi is in town. Lukanga is in town. It’s a normal thing people are transferable,” she said.

Asked whether the teacher’s hairstyle played a role in the transfer, she firmly denied the allegation, even though her visit to the school reportedly coincided with her disapproval of the teacher’s appearance.

Pressed further on whether the move was linked to the teacher’s husband, whistleblower Grandy Ntumbo, Mulemwa was emphatic: “I don’t even know the husband. I swear upon my living God, I’m (have even) put on a uniform, St Anne Catholic…”

She maintained that the decision was merit-based.

 “She is hardworking, I want her to go and show others what to do.”

Ms. Mulemwa added that the previous senior teacher at Mwashi had been transferred elsewhere, and Chiwala was simply filling that gap.

It remains unclear why the Provincial Education Officer (PEO), the highest education authority in the province, was unaware of the transfer.

“I don’t know anything about that teacher. I receive a lot of such, but if there’s background, I’m not privy unless someone asks like you have,” Ms. Miyanda Hamududu said in a phone interview. She later urged the affected teacher to come forward with a complaint.

But Mulemwa attributed this to bureaucratic delays.

“The PEO is in charge of 11 districts. It can take time for her to access it.”

When asked if Chiwala had reported to Mwashi Primary School, Mulemwa responded bluntly:

 “I don’t know. I can’t follow her. Why should I follow her? When you write a letter (transfer) to someone that person should start off isn’t it?”

This incident raises serious concerns about systemic abuse and the possible intimidation of whistleblowers through their families.

While education officials insist the transfer was procedural and even beneficial, an emerging pattern suggests otherwise—this is Chiwala’s third transfer in five years.

MakanDay has established that Chiwala has held the position of senior teacher since 2020, beginning at Kasanda Malombe Primary School before being moved to Lukanga Primary School, and now to Mwashi.

Take note that the image is AI-generated and used for illustration purposes only.

Kennedy is a talented journalist based in Kitwe at Radio Icengelo. He is currently on a three-month paid internship at MakanDay after he emerged second in the prestigious 2024 MakanDay Media Awards.