MAKEBI Zulu Advocates has written to Inspector General of Police Lemmy Kajoba refuting allegations that Mutemwa Mutemwa SC and a senior police officer are on the run after stealing $800,000.

Zulu has also refuted allegations that Mutemwa’s son admitted that his father took $400,000.

On Monday, Police Spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said Mutemwa and detective inspector Mano Kayombo of Lusaka Central Police Station were on the run after stealing US$ 800,000 which was entrusted to them during a search at his client’s house.

But in a letter dated October 26, 2021, addressed to the Police IG, Zulu said his clients were not on the run.

“We have been retained and thus act for the herein named Mr Mutemwa SC and others in this matter, kindly note our interest. Whereas it has been widely circulated that our clients are on the run, the same is denied and ours advises that they will attend, in the presence of counsel, at Lusaka Central Police, tomorrow the 27th October, 2021 at 08:30 hours. Kindly advise if the said time is convenient. Further that our clients deny the report that there was a statement made by Mr Mutemwa admitting that USD400,000 was taken from anyone,” the letter read.

When contacted, Hamoonga said he had not seen the letter yet.

“Who have they referred that letter to? I have not seen the letter. Maybe when I see the letter that is when I can comment,” he said.

In a statement, Monday, Hamoonga stated that Mutemwa junior disclosed under warn and caution that Mutemwa SC and Kayombo only got US$400,000 and not $800,000.

“Police in Lusaka are investigating a matter in which $800,000 is alleged to have been stolen by Mutemwa Mutemwa State Counsel, Mutemwa Mutemwa Junior both of Mutemwa Legal Practitioners and Detective Chief Inspector Mano Kayombo of Lusaka Central Police Station. The money is a property of Lloyd Chinjenge of House number 2415 Ibex Hill Lusaka. This occurred on 19th October 2021 in Salama Park area, Lusaka. Brief facts of the case are that on 19th October, 2021 police received information that Lloyd Chinjenge of the above address was in possession of an undisclosed amount of money on his premises believed to have been unlawfully obtained,” said Hamoonga.

“A search party of officers, among them Detective Chief Inspector Mano Kayombo was constituted to conduct searches on two premises belonging to Chinjenge in Salama Park and another in Ibex Hill. Both searches were witnessed by Mutemwa Jnr on behalf of Chinjenge. Not known to the rest of the search party, whilst the search was going on at the ibex hill premise, Mano and Mutemwa SC, who was instructed by Mutemwa Jnr to assist, went to the Salama Park residence and picked up two bags suspected to have contained the sought money from one of the motor vehicles belonging to Chinjenge on his instruction for safe custody. The incident was witnessed by an officer undercover who was left to keep vigil at the said residence. Police summoned Mutemwa Jnr and under warn and caution disclosed that Mutemwa SC and Mano got the money amounting to $400,000=00 and not $800,000=00. He has since been arrested for theft.”