Zambia: A total of 12, including 2 government officers, have been arrested by police in Petauke following the theft of government fertiliser designated for the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP).
The arrests occurred recently, marking a crucial development in the investigation into the misappropriation of FISP resources.
Eastern Province Police Commissioner Limpo Liywali said that those arrested include a camp officer in the Ministry of Agriculture and a teacher under the Ministry of Education.
Liywali confirmed and disclosed the development in an interview, adding that others arrested are zonal leaders facilitating the distribution of inputs to their members.
“Police have recovered 292 by 50 KG bags of fertilizer comprising 140 bags of D – Compound fertilizer and 152 bags of urea,“ he said, adding that suspects have been released on police bond and awaiting an appearance in court.
He further said that the fertilizer will be returned to rightful beneficiaries through the office of the District Commissioner in Petauke.
When contacted, Petauke District Commissioner Martha Mulenga revealed that her office has, in the past week, been closely monitoring the activities of the suspects following a tip-off from members of the public about suspicious fertilizer transactions.
Mulenga said her office is verifying the names of the correct farmers who are supposed to get the fertilizer.
Minister of Agriculture Mtolo Phiri has on a number of occasions warned against pilfering government subsidized inputs, warning that those found wanting risk losing their jobs and facing the long arm of the law.
Locals of Petauke are blaming the government for this kind of scam. One of the residents said, “Political leaders and Members of Parliament have been advised to retire from active politics, or they risk being insulted by children, and stop being Political Prostitute. They should come out from their shells and start looking and solving people’s problems as it’s their duty.”
: Twelve people, including two government officers, have been arrested by police in Petauke following the theft of government){kind=link}