Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo today caught four Matero traffic police officers red-handed collecting bribes from motorists at an illegally-mounted road block along Mungwi Road.

Upon noticing the arrival of the Minister, the officers tried to escape and hide K2,200 which they had already collected.

But Lusambo stopped them and asked one female officer, who was holding the money wrapped in a black plastic bag, where she was taking the money and why motorists were not being issued with receipts.

“Where are you taking this money? But you people, are you issuing receipts to these people [you have collected money from?] So, you have started charging people monies without issuing them with receipts?” Lusambo asked.

And the officer, who struggled to respond, claimed the receipt book had run out of leafs.

Lusambo, however, said government would sort out all the officers trying to tarnish President Edgar Lungu’s name.

He said Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja would deal with the erring officers.

“We are here to safeguard the interests of all Zambians. So, you should tell those who like saying that, ‘politicians are corrupt,’ tell them that no, politicians are good people. President Edgar Chagwa Lungu is a good man. In each and every institution there are good and bad eggs, but the bad eggs we are going to sort them out to make sure that they become good. And good eggs we are going to encourage them that they keep the status quo. We want to develop this country and we are going to develop it together, President Edgar Chagwa Lungu and the entire civil service. We are not going to allow anyone to destroy or sabotage President Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s vision. We are not here to joke, we are here to work! The IG will handle the issue, I will engage the IG and the IG will handle the issue,” said Lusambo.

The four officers in question are Charity Zuze, Sergeant Laban Bwalya, Constable Moses Chinga and Chibesa Mukela who have since been reported to the Office of the Inspector General.