3 State House police face pistol theft charge

Wed, 09 Nov 2016 12:08:59 +0000

THREE State House police officers are in court on charges of theft by public servant for stealing two pistols valued at K11,000. One of the two pistols in question was allegedly stolen from the State House armoury. The three policemen were based at State House, Lusaka Central division and Police headquarters.

The three officers however yesterday failed to show up in court before Chief Resident Magistrate Kenneth Mulife for the allocation of their case to a presiding magistrate. They face one count of theft by public servant. Particulars of the offence are that Obed Mazaba, 44, of house no. 3E14 State Lodge police camp, Husbandman Mtonga, 38, of plot A2874 Kamwala South, and Mwila Kabanga, 33, of A10 Sikanze police camp, all of them members of the State House police, are jointly and while acting together involved in the theft of police firearms. According to charges before court, the three, on dates unknown but between February 27, 2016, and June 15, 2016, in Lusaka being persons employed in the public service did steal two pistols valued at K11,000 the property of the Zambia Police Service.

Magistrate Mulife allocated the matter to Principal Magistrate David Simusamba, before whom the three were expected to take plea. Meanwhile, 23-year-old Lawrence Kakula of Chawama compound has appeared in court on a charge of unlawful possession of offensive weapons contrary to the laws of Zambia. Kakula, unemployed, was alleged to have been found on October 16, 2016, at Lusaka in possession of a stone and a wire used to hack people. The Chief Resident Magistrate allocated the matter to be heard by Magistrate Rachael Mwansa.