Sun, 04 Feb 2018 10:42:03 +0000
By SIMON MUNTEMBA
A POLICE man of Kasempa Police Station, who took naked pictures of two female murder suspects has been charged with circulating obscene materials.
Constable Kalebwe is charged with circulating obscene materials or things that corrupt morals contrary to section 177 1 (b) of the Penal Code chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
Both Police spokesperson Esther Katongo and North Western Province police commissioner Auxensio Daka confirmed the development to the Daily Nation in separate interviews yesterday.
Constable Kalebwe is alleged to have on November 7, 2017 at around 21:30 hours taken nude pictures of two female suspects, a woman and her daughter in custody and shared with his colleagues at the police station.
While on duty, Kalebwe went into the holding cells, asked the woman and her daughter to undress and started taking pictures of their private parts.
He told them the pictures were needed at the Police Service Headquarters as he took pictures using his mobile phone.
The victims disclosed the ordeal to their relatives who had gone to visit them at the police station and they later reported the matter to the Women’s Lobby and NGOCC representatives in Kasempa.
Subsequently, investigations were instituted into the matter which has been roundly condemned.
Ms Katongo said that Constable Kalebwe was charged and will appear in court soon.
“Unless you find out from Mr Daka (North Western Province police commissioner). Mr Daka told us that he was apprehended and charged, so I should believe that he is appearing before court,” Ms Katongo said.
And Mr Daka also confirmed that Constable Kalebwe was charged with circulating obscene materials, adding that his case was handed over to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Kalebwe has been released on bond.
He however, said the matter was no longer being handled by the police as the case was handed over to the DPP.
“A docket is opened and it is with the representative of the office of the DPP in Solwezi. So the matter is no longer under police as it was handed over to the office of the DPP. But we are sure he will appear in court soon,” Mr Daka said.
