The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has nabbed a 42-year-old Accounts Assistant Manfred Hatamba for money laundering activities involving K360,000.00.

In a statement, DEC public relations manager Theresa Katongo said Hatamba, of B5 Nchete Compound in Namwala, stole K360,000.00 in his capacity as Accounts Assistant at Namwala Secondary School which he then used the money to buy a plot in Monze, a TV set, a fridge and paid for his school fees at Zambia Centre for Accountancy Studies.

“The Drug Enforcement Commission through the Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit in Southern Province has arrested a 42 year-old Accounts Assistant from Namwala Secondary School for money laundering activities involving K360,000.00. The suspect identified as Manfred Hatamba, of B5 Nchete Compound in Namwala, stole K360,000.00 in his capacity as Accounts Assistant at Namwala Secondary School and used the money to buy a plot in Monze, a television set, a fridge and also paid for his school fees at Zambia Centre for Accountancy Studies,” Katongo stated.

“Particulars of the offence are that between 1st January, 2016 and 30th June, 2018, whilst acting together with other persons unknown Manfred Hatamba inserted figures on dully authorized cheques to increase the amounts more than the approved amount. The suspect has since been charged with theft by public servant, fraudulent false accounting, altering of false documents and money laundering.”

And stated that DEC has destroyed over 1.7 tonnes of cannabis in Central Province.

“Meanwhile the Commission in Central Province has destroyed over 1.7 tons of cannabis in a destruction exercise conducted on 20th November, 2020 involving 256 cases that have been disposed of by the courts of law for the period July 2019 to October 2020. Drugs destroyed include 1.45 tons of dry cannabis, 342.5 kilograms of loose cannabis and 300 grams of cannabis seed,” stated Katongo.

“And the Commission in Central Province has also arrested two (2) people for trafficking in 14.14 kilograms of loose cannabis contrary to Cap 96 of the Laws of Zambia. Those arrested include Kebby Mutomwa, 43, of Chembwe village in Kapiri Mposhi for trafficking in 10.3 kilograms of loose cannabis and Charity Chanda, 44, also of the same village for trafficking in 3.84 kilograms of loose cannabis. The suspects are in Police custody and will appear in court soon.”