OVER K200,000 from the Presidential Empowerment Fund has been misappropriated by a cooperative in Ndola.

And police in Ndola have arrested three people in connection to the same.

Copperbelt Police Commissioner Elias Chushi confirmed this and identified the suspects as Andrew Kaunda 26, Philimon Kaunda, 52 and and Ezel Zulu, 50, all of Ndola.

Chushi said the money was entrusted to a cooperative chairman who unfortunately deprived other members.

“Police in Ndola, received a report of theft by agent which occurred on unknown date but between 25th December, 2020 and 15th January, 2021 in which Benford Chisanyi 52 of house No.9375, Copperbelt Provincial Coordinator, Ministry of Youth, Sports and Child Development, reported on behalf of the Ministry, that Presidential Youth Empowerment Fund amounting to K200,000 which was meant for Tubombele Pamo Multi Purpose Cooperative, was misappropriated by Andrew Kaunda 26 of house No.0052 Overspill, Philimon Kaunda 52 of 1602 Nkwazi and Ezel Zulu 50, of house No.172 Nkwazi. The money was entrusted to the Cooperative Chairman, who deprived other members of the cooperative, stating that he is the one who sourced the same funds from the Ministry,” Chushi explained.

“This came to light on 15th January 2021 around 13:00 hours when the reporter was addressing youths on the Internship Program with the Minister of Youth, Sports and Child Development Hon. Emmanuel Mulenga at Levy Mwanawasa stadium, where some Youths complained that they had not benefited from the same funds meant for their Business activities.”

He said that it was also reported that the three suspects are running their personal businesses using the same Presidential Youth Empowerment Funds.

“The Coordinator reported to Police and the three suspects were apprehended and are in Police custody. Docket opened and investigations instituted,” said Chushi.