The Anti- Corruption Commission in Mansa has charged and arrested a Police Officer from Nchelenge Police Station for corrupt practices involving K1,000.
According to ACC Public Relations Manager Timothy Moono, Abel Samatunga 32, of Nchelenge Police Camp, who is a Sergeant was charged with one count of corrupt practices by public officer contrary to section 19(1) as read with section 41 of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012 of the laws of Zambia.
“Details in the matter are that on a date unknown but in June 2017 in Mwense District of Luapula Province, Abel Samatunga being a public officer did corruptly solicit for and receive a sum of K1,000 cash from Harry Bwalya as an inducement or reward in order to facilitate the unlawful release of Gershom Bwalya from Police custody where he was detained on a defilement case, a matter which concerns the Zambia Police Service, a public body. Abel Samatunga has since been released on bond and will appear in Court soon,” Moono said.
Meanwhile, Moono revealed that the Livingstone High Court has ordered a retrial in the matter involving Former Livingstone Town Clerk Vivian Chiwila Chikoti and others on charges of corruption.
This is in a case in which the State Appealed against the acquittal of the Respondents for the offences of Wilful Failure to follow laid down procedure and guidelines contrary to section 34(2) of the Anti- Corruption Act No 3 of 2012 and of Abuse of Authority of office.
The High Court in its ruling, presided over by Honourable Justice Mulife quashed the Acquittal of the Respondents by the lower court in Count one but however sustained the lower Courts acquittal in Count two.
In 2016, the Anti-Corruption Commission in Livingstone arrested Vivian Chiwila Chikoti, Kingsley Muchindu, Rosemary Kaoli Chona, Chabala Chanda and Jamie Mukwato with one count of Willful Failure to follow laid down procedure and guidelines contrary to section 34(2) of the Anti- Corruption Act No 3 of 2012 and one count of Abuse of Authority of office contrary to Section 21(1)(a) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012 of the Laws of Zambia.
“Particulars of the offence in Count one are that, on dates unknown but between 1st April 2013 and 30th April 2013 Vivian Chiwila Chikoti whilst acting together with Kingsley Muchindu Siasinyanga , Rosemary Kaona Chona and Jamie Mukwato at Livingstone in the Livingstone District of the Southern province, willfully failed to comply with circular no. MLGH/71/6/03 relating to the disbursement of loans when they paid out personal car loans to themselves and Chabala Chanda from the Service Delivery Fund account held at Zambia National Commercial Bank,” stated Moono.
