Police in Lusaka, Copperbelt and Southern Provinces have so far arrested 16 people among them teachers and pupils, in connection with the leaked grade seven, nine and 12 examination papers.

In a statement issued, Thursday, police public relations officer Esther Mwaata Katongo stated that in Lusaka, police arrested five people, among them; a 25 year-old teacher at Islamic Orphanage Secondary School; a 43 year-old Director at CS Christian Private School; a 29 year-old businessman of Kabanana Compound; a 40 year-old teacher at Ellensdale Primary School and a lady who was in charge of a strong room at the School.

“In Lusaka Province, Police have arrested five people identified as Ishmael Manda aged 25 of John Laing Compound also a teacher at Islamic Orphanage Secondary School in Makeni. He was found with copies of grade nine Mathematics, English, Religious Education, Art and Design and Business Science examination papers on his mobile phone. Christopher Sampa aged 43 who is Director at CS Christian Private School in Chipata Compound in Lusaka, Alphate Kabamba aged 29, a businessman of Kabanana Compound who was found with hard copies of Art and Design, Religious Education and Social Studies, Alphonso Milambo aged 40, a teacher at Ellensdale Primary School and Angela Mumba Mulenga who was in charge of the strong room at Ellensdale School in Ngwerere,” she stated.

“Further investigations at Ellensdale Strong room revealed that Examination papers for Art and Design, Religious Education and Social Studies were tempered with.”

And Katongo stated that three people were arrested on the Copperbelt, aged 33, 25 and 22 years-old.

“Investigations conducted on the Copperbelt led to the arrest of three people identified as Humphrey Kamfwa Tembo aged 33 who was found with grade nine Mathematics paper one and two, Collins Solochi aged 25 who was found with Social studies Paper one and two and a paper for Business Studies and also Andrew Banda aged 22 who was found in possession of English paper two for grade 12 and a hard copy of answers for Mathematics paper,” she stated.

Katongo further stated that in Mazabuka, Southern Province, a 24 year-old woman was arrested and further investigations led to the arrest of an 18 year-old grade nine pupil of Ndeke School.

She stated that two other grade nine pupils at Maneila Open Community School were also arrested in Mazabuka district.

“In Mazabuka of Southern Province, Police arrested Given Kanyeleti aged 24 of Nakambala Compound who was found photocopying a handwritten leaked Science paper two for grade nine. Further investigations led to the arrest of a grade nine pupil of Ndeke School aged 18 of Nakambala Compound. Others arrested in Mazabuka are two grade nine pupils at Maneila Open Community School who were found with grade nine Computer Studies paper one and two, Integrated Science Practical and both paper one and two, English Language papers paper one and two for grade nine and Social Studies examination papers,” she stated.

Meanwhile, Katongo stated that investigations conducted in Mazabuka further revealed that examination paper packs at Namaila Primary School had been tempered with and copies of Mathematics paper two, Social studies and Chitonga were missing.

She added that four teachers, among them a head teacher of that school, were arrested.

“Investigations conducted in Mazabuka further revealed that examination paper packs at Namaila Primary School had been tempered with and copies of Mathematics paper two, Social studies and Chitonga were missing. Four teachers namely; Augustine Musenga aged 46 who is a Head Teacher at Namaila Primary School, Hedson Machila aged 42, Simon Sikombe aged 40 and Oliver Hauma aged 42 all teachers at the above mentioned school were arrested and investigations in the matter have continued,” stated Katongo.

Katongo revealed that the suspects had been charged with unauthorized possession of examination paper or information.

She added that police had continued with investigations and members of the public would be updated on any new development.