The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested and jointly charged former prisons commissioner, Jethro Mumbuwa and two others for money laundering offences involving over K500 million.
Mr Mumbuwa, 60, a retiree of house number17 Jasmine street in Luangwa township in
Kabwe, Margaret Mwale, 45, an accountant at the Ministry of Local Government
residing at plot number 2666, Chilenje South in Lusaka and Bernadette Kaimbi, 41, a
businesswoman of plot number 9 Makeni, Lusaka, have been arrested for forgery,
uttering of false documents, obtaining money by false pretences and money
laundering.
DEC Public Relations and Press Liaison officer, Rosten Chulu disclosed this in a
statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today.
Mr. Chulu said the trio while acting together with some other unknown persons on
dates unknown, but between 1st January, 2001 and 31st December 2006, forged local
purchase order numbers worth K321,670,000 and K260,000,000 respectively by
purporting to have supplied various foodstuffs to the Zambia Army.
He said an ordnance directorate amounting to K581, 670, 000 was awarded in favour of
Mumjeka enterprises which is owned by Mr. Mumbuwa.
Mr Chulu said the trio were arrested and formerly charged on 6th July, 2007 and
have since been released on police bond waiting court appearance.
Meanwhile, the DEC has in various parts of the country arrested 23 Zambians for
trafficking in psychotropic substances weighing more than 30 kgs.
Mr Chulu said the Commission arrested Rowes Chililamuzi of Sibumbe village in
Mazabuka for trafficking in 15.2 kg of cannabis.
Others arrested in the same village include Keroni Sana, 28, for trafficking in 2 kg
of cannabis and seeds, Bruce Sana, 43, for trafficking in 1.1 kg of cannabis and
Oscar Hachibola, 22, for trafficking in 1.22 kg of cannabis and seeds.
In Lusaka, Arthur Kayumba, 23, of Miller’s farm in Lilayi was arrested for
trafficking in 37grams of cannabis and Dickson Tembo Phiri of Mwavi, Luangwa, for
trafficking in 142grams of cannabis.
Mr Chulu added that in Eastern Province, the DEC has arrested Henry Mwanza,30, of
Enock village for trafficking in 9.2 kg of cannabis and for being in possession of a
muzzle loader gun.
Mr Chulu sid Elias Phiri, 38, a peasant farmer of Masengu has also been arrested for
unlawful cultivation and trafficking in cannabis weiging 3.010 kg, Ignatius Maseko,
23, of Sandwe village for trafficking in cannabis weighing 98grams and Davie News
Banda for trafficking in 0. 9 grams of cannabis.
In Northern province, the DEC has arrested and jointly charged Danny Sikazwe,18, a
charcoal burner of Mushika village, Nickson Mazimba, 36, a peasant farmer of
Malwanga area and Jeff Chisela,18, a charcoal burner of Mushika village for
trafficking in 300 g of cannabis.
And in North-Western province, the Commission has arrested Benson Nalumino,32, a
peasant farmer of Mpindi area for trafficking in 6.5kg of cannabis and Oscar
Kasweka, 25, of Kayenge area for trafficking in 600g of cannabis.
In Luapula province, the DEC arrested Kelvin Mwansa, 21, Mathews Musele, 25, Ernest
Mukondo, 24, Jackson Chulu, 33, Daniel Mwenya, 22, John Zulu, 32, Pephius Musesha,
22, and Idah Mutale, 20, all of Kasote village in Chiende district for trafficking
in a total of 2.128 kg of cannabis.
All the suspects will appear in court soon.
Mr Chulu has since cautioned Zambians to desist from engaging in illicit drug
trafficking, cultivation and money laundering.