afrol News, 19 February - Angolan authorities have arrested 18 Central Bank employees for allegedly embezzling over $130 million, the public prosecutor has announced.

The employees were arrested for money allegedly transferred out of the Banco Nacional de Angola between September and November last year according to Joao Maria de Sousa.

The official said almost $100 million has been retrieved, while luxury cars including Mercedes, BMWs, Bentleys and Porsches have also been seized from the employees.

The prosecutor said money embezzled out of the bank has been transferred with some expertise to countries including Portugal, Germany, China, Dubai, Austria, Switzerland, the Cayman Islands and the United States.

The Prosecutor has also expressed satisfaction at the people's response to the recent warrant for the accused officials, saying it stamps government’s commitment to root out corruption at all costs.

In December, Angola's President of 30 years, Jose Eduardo dos Santos, called for "zero tolerance" on corruption and an end to the "squandering of state resources". Last week he also announced plans for a new anti-graft law.

Angola contests with Nigeria as Africa's largest oil producer, yet most corrupt.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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