By SIMON MUNTEMBA
POLICE in Lusaka are searching for one of their own, who together with a lawyer are on the run after allegedly stealing $800, 000 from a Lusaka resident.
Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga has confirmed that detective Chief Inspector Mano Kayombo of Lusaka Central Police Station and State Counsel (SC) Mutemwa Mutemwa of Mutemwa Legal Practioners are on the wanted list for allegedly having stolen $800, 000 from Mr Lloyd Chinjenge of House number 2415 Ibex Hill.
Mr Hamoonga said in a statement that the alleged theft occurred last Tuesday, October 19, in Lusaka’s Salama Park area.
“Police in Lusaka are investigating a matter in which $800, 000 is alleged to have been stolen by a male, Mutemwa Mutemwa State Counsel (SC), male, Mutemwa Mutemwa Junior (Jnr) both of Mutemwa Legal Practioners and Detective Chief Inspector Mano Kayombo of Lusaka Central Police Station,” he said.
He explained that on October 19, 2021 police received a tip that Mr Chinjenge of House number 2415 Ibex Hill was in possession of undisclosed amount of money on his premises believed to have been unlawfully obtained.
Mr Hamoonga narrated that Detective Chief Inspector Kayombo who was assigned with other officers to conduct searches on two premises belonging to Mr Chinjenge in Salama Park and Ibex Hill, allegedly connived with the two lawyers of Mutemwa Legal Practioners, who witnessed the searches and ran away with the money.
He said without the knowledge of other officers, whilst the search was going on at the Ibex Hill premise, Mr Mano and Mr Mutemwa, who was instructed by Mutemwa Jnr to assist, went to the Salama Park residence and allegedly picked up two bags suspected to have contained the sought money from one of the motor vehicles belonging to Mr Chinjenge on his instruction for safe custody.
He said Police summoned Mutemwa Jr. under warn and caution, who allegedly disclosed that his father (Mr Mutemwa, SC) and Mr Mano got the money amounting to $400, 000 and not $800, 000.
Mr Hamoonga said Mutemwa Jr has since been arrested for theft.
“Meanwhile both Mr Mutemwa, SC and Officer Kayombo are on the run. Investigations into the matter continue and a manhunt launched for the two fugitives,” he said.
He also clarified that reports making rounds on social media that police officers ran away with close to $3 million after a search at Mr Valden Findlay’s house were false.
