COPS IN US$55, 000 HEIST

…two cops, two others committed to Lusaka High Court for stealing US$55, 000 from Indian national by force

IT is alleged that on September 24, in Lusaka while acting together with other unknown persons the accused stole US$55, 000 cash from Mr Chumporn Thanakrit.

TWO police officers have been committed to the Lusaka High Court for aggravated robbery involving the theft of over US$50, 000 from an Indian national. Kennedy Kabwe, 40, Kayombo Mulemwa, 43, both Police officers; Jacob Prince Mukandi, 36, a businessman and Andy Wasamunu, 31, a driver are charged with aggravated robbery contrary to the Laws of Zambia. It is alleged that on September 24, in Lusaka while acting together with other unknown persons the accused stole US$55, 000 cash from Mr Mauea Chumporn Thanakrit. At the time of the theft , the four men re alleged to have used or threatened to use actual bodily harm on Mr Thanakrit to obtain the property from him. Lusaka Magistrate David Simusamba yesterday committed the accused to the Lusaka High Court following instructions from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). Later Magistrate Simusamba granted an application by defence lawyer Keith Mweemba to have items including a Toyota Hilux, two Ethiopian airline tickets, green national registration card, ATM card and a Tecno Phantom 6+ cell phone among others be returned to the owner as they were seized illegally without a seizure form. Earlier Mr Mweemba explained to the court that police officers from headquarters only identified as Mr Musonda and Mr Kangwa seized the said items from the vehicle of the third accused’s brother when he went to visit him at the jail cell. Magistrate Simusamba advised Mr Mweemba to apply for an order to have the said items returned to the owner.