A NDOLA bar man has told the Ndola Magistrates’ Court that two police officers allegedly exchanged their police uniform for beer.

This is in a matter in which Marvin Chishimba, a 25-year-old bartender of Chipulukusu is facing one count of unauthorised wearing of official uniform.

At first the accused pleaded guilty, but when asked why he was wearing the police uniform without permission, he explained that the officers gave him in exchange for beer, forcing the court to change his plea to “not guilty”.

Chishimba told the court that he was given the uniform by two police officers in exchange for beer as the two officers did not have money to pay on that particular day.

It is alleged that on March 27, 2021 around 09:00 hours, Chishimba wore a police uniform and pretended to be a police officer.

Chishimba was seen by Frank Bwalya, a police officer, who asked him to stop pretending to be an officer, but he did not heed to the directive.

Chishimba insisted on wearing the uniform saying he was an officer who operated at Kalewa Barracks (Zambia Army).

Bwalya investigated the matter and reported to Mapalo police post where Chishimba was arrested after failing to justify his actions.

However, Ndola Principal Resident Magistrate Obbister Musukwa adjourned the matter to April 19 for trial.