By Rabecca Chipanta –
A Ndola teacher has been charged with theft by servant for allegedly collecting nearly K300,000 of her late husband’s salary over several years.
Justine Zimba, also a teacher with the Ministry of Education, is said to have died seven years ago while on his way from Chama in Muchinga District to Chibombo to take up a new posting.
The DEC’s Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit (AMLIU) says his wife, Jane Katongo, 40, resident of 25 Chavuma Avenue, Kansenshi, neglected to inform the Ministry of Education of his demise and continued to collect his salary.
A statement from the DEC’s spokesperson Theresa Katongo released to the media yesterday says Katongo is now being charged with money laundering offences involving over K280,000.
Particulars of the offence are that Katongo, jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown on dates between 1st February, 2010 and 28th February, 2017 did steal K282, 779.48 in salaries, property of the Republic of Zambia.
It is alleged that Jane Katongo as widow and administrator of the estate of her late husband, concealed information of his death from the authorities and continued to draw the deceased’s salary for seven (07) years which was being credited to his account in Chibombo District where he never reported due to his untimely death.
Katongo has been released on Police bond and will appear in court soon.
And in a separate incidence, the Commission in Lusaka has arrested and jointly charged three persons for money laundering activities involving over K2 million.
They were named as Dickens Muduka Tembo, 43, of Plot No. 9812/557C Nyumba Yanga in Lusaka, Angela Ing’utu Nyambe, 32, of the same abode and Raymond Ndeule Muzumala, 43, of Plot No. 41 Katapa Street in Libala Stage 1.
They have been charged with obtaining goods (money) by false pretences and money laundering contrary to the laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offence are that Dickens Muduka Tembo whilst acting together with Raymond Ndeuke Muzumala, Angela Ing’utu Nyambe and other persons unknown, on dates unknown but between 1st January, 2015 and 31st December, 2016 in their capacities as Manager and Directors of Spiroflex Investment Limited did obtain goods (money) amounting to K2, 242, 929.59 from Kalumbila Minerals Limited by purporting to have provided transportation services to the company when in fact not.
They further engaged in money laundering activities by using the said money to acquire properties which have since been seized as proceeds of crime.
The suspects have been released on Police bond awaiting court proceedings.