The Drug Enforcement Commission in Lusaka has arrested three Ministry of General Education officials for money laundering activities involving over K2.7 million.

In a statement, DEC public relations officer Theresa Katongo revealed that the three stole K2, 717, 471.50 from the ministry account by raising different cheques in Lawrence Phiri Bwalya’s name, which were later cashed over the counter at a named bank.

“The three suspects are identified as Lawrence Bwalya Phiri, 46, an accountant of Civic Centre area in Lusaka, Eliya Mwale 41, of house number 238, Chamba Valley and Vengi Sinda, 58, a standards officer residing in Olympia Teachers’ Compound. On dates unknown but between 1 st January, 2014 and 31 st December, 2016, jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, the trio being employees of the Ministry of General Education stole K2,717,471.50 from the Ministry’s account by raising nine (9) fraudulent cheques in favour of Lawrence Bwalya Phiri on different dates and later encashed them over the counter at a named bank in Lusaka,” stated Katongo.

“The trio has been slapped with five (5) charges namely forgery, uttering false documents, fraudulent false accounting, theft by public servant and money laundering, contrary to the laws of Zambia. The suspects have since been released on police bond and are expected to appear
before the Lusaka Magistrate Court soon.”