FAKE MONEY SUSPECT COMMITS SUICIDE

... Surety claims he was under pressure over bribe demands

A MAN of Mpika’s TAZARA area has committed suicide after an unidentified prosecuting officer allegedly asked him for a bribe to have his sentence for the offence of being in possession of fake Kwacha notes reduced. Muchinga Province Police Commissioner Joel Njase named the deceased as Evans Mapoma, an Airtel mobile money agent. Mr Njase said Mapoma was arrested on June 4, 2019 by Tazara police when he attempted to deposit K1, 000 of which K800 was fake. He said Mapoma took his own life on Wednesday after the prosecuting officer allegedly told him to pay K5, 000 to have his jail sentence reduced. “On June 4, 2019, TAZARA police received a report from TAZARA Zanaco Bank main branch that there was a person who was about to deposit a K1000 of which K800 was suspected to be fake notes,’’ Mr Njase said. He said police investigated the matter and took the case to court and Mapoma appeared and admitted the charge on Tuesday and the matter was adjourned to Wednesday for written facts and judgement. “On Tuesday, after the court session, the suspect was allegedly called by the prosecuting officer who requested to meet him. When he came back he explained to his surety, Kelvin Chitambala, that the prosecuting officer had asked for K5, 000 so that they reduce the sentence because it was so serious that he could be jailed for five years,’’ he said. Mr Njase said before the matter could take off on Wednesday, Mapoma committed suicide by drinking a poisonous substance. He said police have since opened a file inquiry and that an appropriate action will be taken against any officer found wanting. “We need to respect our justice system to ensure fairness and respect of human rights,” he said. He said any unprofessional conduct had potential to cause unwarranted suffering on suspects and must not be tolerated. He has appealed to the public to immediately report any public officer involved in any misconduct.