By JAMES KUNDA –
TWO officers of the community crime prevention unit commonly referred to as neighborhood watch in Lundazi, have been arrested after soliciting and receiving a bribe to cover up a murder.
Joseph Demba, 45 and Alick Lungu, 48 of Lundazi District solicited for and received K360 as gratification from Bydon Zimba.
This was to keep the two members from formally reporting allegations of murder leveled against Zimba and his family, to the police.
ACC public relations manager Timothy Moono said in a statement yesterday that the duo was arrested and jointly charged with corrupt practices by public officers.
Mr Moono said Demba and Lungu were released on police bond and will appear in court soon.
Meanwhile, 30 people countrywide have been arrested for cultivation and trafficking in cannabis.
Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) public relations officer Theresa Katongo said in a statement yesterday that the suspects were arrested at separate intervals and will appear in court soon.
Among those arrested is Masten Mukonde 61, a peasant farmer of Kalukila Village in Chibombo District for cultivating fresh cannabis plants weighing 973 kilogrammes.
“Emmanuel Kunda 50, a business executive of Kunda farm in Serenje District was arrested for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 854 kilogrammes while Patrick Nyirenda 67, an Induna of Kamutu Village in Chief Mwase Mphangwe’s area in Lundazi was apprehended for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 98 kilogrammes,” she said.
Ms Katongo said Edson Mwale, 69, a peasant farmer of Wabwino Sankhalisa in Chipata for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 270 kilogrammes and Justin Ngomi, 34, a security guard of Zambia Compound in Mufulira for trafficking in 1.5 kilogrammes of loose cannabis.
The Commission also arrested Danny Mumba 23, a charcoal burner of Muchinshi farming block in Chingola for trafficking in loose cannabis weighing 13.2 kilogrammes and Danny Kasongo 34, of Chifubu in Ndola for trafficking in loose cannabis weighing 2.4 kilogrammes.
In Southern Province, those arrested include Nchimunya Muzyamba 29, a bus conductor of Mwapona Compound in Choma for trafficking in 1.84 kilogrammes of the drug.
Roy Sibachele 36, a peasant farmer of Chisowa village in Monze for trafficking in 1.65 kilogrammes of the contraband.