Zambia: The police force in Chilubi District has arrested three officers from the Department of Community Development. A public servant, who has asked to keep his identity hidden filed a complaint against the officers for stealing farming inputs.
These farm inputs were to be distributed to the farmers in the under the Food Security Pack (FSP) Programme. Northern Province Police Commanding Officer Lucky Munkhondya revealed that the officers were arrested on Sunday. They were taken to the Chaba Police Post in Chilubi.
Meanwhile, the police has identified the three accused public service officials as Fostino Kanyanta (age 39), Fred Kabwe (age 55) and Michael Kabengele (age 36).
Fostino and Fred are both Assistant Community Development Officers. Meanwhile Micheal is a Community Development Officer. They allegedly stole farming inputs meant for 40 beneficiaries under the programme.
Northern Province Police force Commanding Officer explained that the suspects were assigned to distribute these inputs. These inputs were meant for vulnerable people in various Community Welfare Assistant Committee (CWAC) in Chilubi.
The accused diverted the inputs of 40 individuals out of the 100 beneficiaries from Mwima CWAC amounting to 120 by 50 kg bags of fertiliser.
CO Munkhodya revealed that the composition of the inputs are 80 by 50 kg bags of D Compound, 40 by 50 kg bags of Urea fertilisers and 10 by 50 kg bags of maize seed.
She added that other inputs include 11 by 50 kg bags of bean seed stating that all the inputs amount to K195,000.
Munkhodya stated that the suspects diverted the inputs on pretext that the intended beneficiaries were not showing in the register. This was not true and the three officers had fraudulently signed against each name of the beneficiaries.
She further said preliminary investigations were immediately instituted which led to the recovery of 119 bags of fertilizer.
Munkhondya added that the three officers have since been charged with theft by public servant and are in police custody awaiting to appear in court soon.
The people of Zambia are expressing their disappointment with the act of the public servants. Some social media users have applauded the police force for their successful investigation and arrest of the culprits. Meanwhile, others have criticized the accused public servants of being dishonest with their duty.