Rabecca Banda writes
@SunZambian
The Lusaka magistrates has ordered for an investigations into allegations that a police officer allegedly stole money from a suspect’s mobile phone while he was in detention.
This was after a Lusaka man has told the magistrates court that a police officer withdrew K6,000 from his Airtel money account while he was in custody.
Before magistrate Kaoma was Dickson Muyangu, Jimmy Chizani and two others charged with theft of motor vehicle.
Chizani told magistrate Felix Kaoma that an officer Jimmy Musobwe took his phone at the police station.
He said the officer told him that because he has been arrested for the offence of theft of motor, all the money he has in the bank account, mobile money and at home should be forfeited to the police and therefore to give his Airtel money pin.
He said the officer took his phone and withdrew K6,000 and did not return the phone after he was released on bail.
He said he had the phone number of Musobwe and that talking on phone he has been promising to give him back the phone but until now he hasn’t.
Magistrate Kaoma asked the arresting officer Sergeant Kapambwe if he knew anything about the missing phone.
Sergeant Kapambwe said he knew nothing about phone as he only arrested the accused persons and left them at the police station while he went attend to other matters.
Magistrate: Did Chizani complain to you about his phone?
Sergeant: Yes he did, he told me one of the officers got it.
Magistrate: What did you do?
Sergeant: I asked the officer Musobwe and he was trying to avoid the question.
Magistrate: be honest, what did he say?
Sergeant: He said it was left in a car. I don’t know whose car.
Magistrate : Why should you lose your job over a phone?
Sergeant: I did not see the phone, I came to find out when Chizani complained to me.
Magistrate Kaoma said the allegations are serious and therefore ordered an investigation.
