Three cops deny having fake K2.4 million

By JUSTINA MULENGA THREE police officers have pleaded not guilty to being in possession of over K2.4 million counterfeit notes. The officers were arrested by the Drug Enforcement Commission about a fortnight ago.

The trio, Chief Inspector Maybin Kasezya, 40, Inspector Maureen Nawa, 45, both of Chelstone police station, and Sergeant Joyford Mambwe, 29, of Nakonde police station yesterday pleaded not guilty to one count of possessing K2.4 million counterfeit notes before Magistrate Muzambalika Simwatachela.

In this matter the trio is alleged to have been found in possession of 24, 478 counterfeit K100 bills after being intercepted in Lusaka’s Chelstone township when they were about to transact.

They have since been granted K20, 000 cash bail each in their own recognizance, with two working sureties each, in the sum of K30, 000 each in their own recognizance. The sureties must be Lusaka based government workers. The matter has been adjourned to February 28, 2018 for commencement of trial.

Meanwhile, a University Teaching Hospital pathologist yesterday pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing a total of US$84,100 counterfeit notes, after changing his earlier plea of not guilty.

Dr. Daniel Kaonga Muswahu, a pathologist at the University Teaching Hospital, changed his plea before Magistrate David Simusamba when the matter came up for continued trial.

In the last hearing, a prosecution witness, Wilson Tembo, 44, a taxi driver at UTH, had testified that Muswahu, who had been his client for some time, hired him on March 14, 2017 around 12:00 hours.

“The Doctor came to my car with a bag and told me to take him somewhere and we proceeded,” Mr. Tembo said.

He said as they proceeded, Muswahu told him to stop at Levy Junction where he alighted from the car for an unknown place. He said when the doctor came back, about five men came running targeting him.

“The men came to my car and asked me to switch off my engine. They searched the car and found the bag which was on the back seat,” he said.

He said after the men, who later turned out to be DEC officers, searched the duo, they found US$500 in Muswahu’s jacket, and about US$83, 000 in his bag. Tembo said the officers asked the doctor if the money belonged to him and he admitted. The matter has been adjourned to February 14, 2018.