ANTI- CORRUPTION BUREAU ARRESTS POLICE OFFICERS IN RUMPHI AND MCHINJI

On 3^rd November, 2009, the Anti-Corruption Bureau received a complaint alleging that police officers at Rumphi Police Station solicited K15, 000.00 and received K11, 000.00 from Mr. William Ngulube as an inducement in order for them to release Mr. Ngulube’s vehicle and the people he was carrying past Kapelemera Road Block.

On 24^th April, 2007, the Anti-Corruption Bureau instituted investigations into the matter which confirmed the allegation.

On Thursday, 14^th May, 2009 the Anti-Corruption Bureau arrested Sergeant Francis Rankin Chibambo, Constable Isaac Sabili Kumwenda and Constable Wilton Mtonga.

On 15^th May, 2009, Isaac Kumwenda and Wilton Mtonga were taken to Rumphi Magistrate’s court where they were charged with two counts of corruption by public officer contrary to Section 24 (1) of the Corrupt Practices Act and one count of abuse of office contrary to Section 25B (1) of the Corrupt Practices. Wilton Kumwenda was released on bail on 15^th May after depositing K10, 000.00 cash and producing one surety of K10, 000.00 not cash. He was also ordered to report to Nchenachena Police Unit once every Wednesday and not to interfere with state witnesses.

Isaac Kumwenda was denied bail for threatening Bureau Officers during the arrest and was remanded at Mzuzu Prison.

Francis Rankin Kumwenda escaped from custody after the arrest and was rearrested by Rumphi Police on Saturday, 16^th May, 2009. He too is on remand at Mzuzu Prison.

The three will appear in court on 11^th and 12^th June, 2009, where Chibambo is expected to take plea before trial commences. He will be charged with an additional count of escaping from lawful custody in addition to the other three charges.

In a related development, the Anti-Corruption Bureau officers on a routine surveillance operation at Mchinji Border arrested Adam Phiri a police officer at Mchinji Police station on 12^th May , 2009 for receiving K1,000.00 from Mattias Banda in order to allow Mattias Banda smuggle to Zambia 22 bales of second hand clothes.

He was taken to Mchinji Magistrate’s Court where he was released on bail after depositing K3, 000.00 with the court. He was also ordered to surrender his travel documents, report to Mchinji Police station every Wednesday and not to leave Mchinji without the consent of the Officer-In- Charge of Mchinji Police Station.

He will be taken to court on a date to be set by the court.

EGRITA M. NDALA

PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER

FOR: DIRECTOR

COURT CONVICTS MAGISTRATE CHIROMBO

FOR CORRUPTION