By LUCY PHIRI
A detective Chief Inspector based at Lusaka Central olice station has narrated in the Lusaka magistrate court how he arrested three police officers for stealing over 40 tyres valued at more than K200, 000.
It is alleged that the officers broke into a building and stole 42 tyres, property of Vikram Joshi which came into their possession by virtue of their employment.
Gift Kacha, 47, of Chilanga, Issac Chileshe, 34, of Kamwala South and Joseph Chileshe, 49, of Chilanga appeared before magistrate Irene Wishimanga and pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The trio are facing the offence of theft by Public Servant Contrary to Section 272 and 277 of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
Allegations are that, Kacha, Chileshe and Chileshe on unknown date but between April 5, 2022 and April 6, 2022 in Lusaka, being persons employed in the public service as Police officers did steal 42 tyres valued at K210, 000the property of Vikram Joshi which came into their possession by virtue of their employment.
Mr. Evans Chanda, 47, testified before the court that on July 11, 2022 he was allocated with a docket of theft by public servant which was already being investigated by another detective sergeant.
Mr. Chanda said it was alleged that the police officers stole 42 tyres valued at K210, 000 which was believed to have been discovered after a case of breaking into a building was reported.
“However, my job was too simple, all I needed to do was to interview the three accused persons. I therefore called the alleged officers and interviewed them on the alleged theft by public servant to which they all denied the charge, ’he said.
Mr. Chanda submitted that under a-warn-and-caution statement, the trio gave a free and voluntary response by denying the charge.
“Later, I processed the docket and charged the officers with the said offence and I wish to make mention that there was no recovery which was made,’’ Mr. Chanda said.
