Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested three more suspects in the Ministry of General Education for money laundering activities involving an additional K3 million.
This follows the earlier arrest of three other civil servants on Monday for money laundering activities involving K2.7 million.
The arrested suspects, who have been charged together with the other three civil servants, are Moses Thole, 41, an assistant accountant of Meanwood, Noel Mulopa, 52, an Assistant Director residing in Kabangwe area and Ericho Nshikokola, 51, an accountant of Libala Stage three in Lusaka.
Particulars of the offence are that Moses Thole jointly and whilst acting together with the five named suspects and other persons unknown, on dates unknown but between 1st January, 2014 and 31st December, 2015 did fraudulently raise 11 cheques amounting to a total of K3, 015,454.64 in the name of Moses Thole.
The suspects further presented the said cheques to cashiers at a named bank claiming payments on the Ministry of General Education account and did engage in money laundering by purchasing properties which include motor vehicles and houses.
Meanwhile, the Commission has additionally charged four of the suspects and one other person identified as Bbeembe Lapaana Jere, 42, an accountant of Libala in Lusaka for money laundering activities involving K 813, 791 by raising cheques in the name of Lawrence Bwalya Phiri and later engaging in money laundering by purchasing properties which include motor vehicles and houses.
The suspects have been charged with forgery, uttering false documents, obtaining goods by false pretenses, theft by public servant, fraudulent false accounting and money laundering, contrary to the laws of Zambia.
The suspects have since been released on police bond and are expected to appear in court soon.
This is according to a statement released to Q-News by DEC public relations officer Theresa Katongo.