By MAIMBO MWEEMBA
A police officer at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe decided to turn into an extortionist with two others and defrauded a citizen he was supposed to protect of K40, 000.
The Swindlers are identified as detective Bwalya Chilufya of Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe police station, Mcqueen Zenzo Zaza aged 40 of Meanwood and Richard Phiri based an employee at the Zambia Revenue Authority.
The victim, Roy Musonda aged 39 Director at big Eye Limited of was swindled K40,000 as he feared that his contract with the Ministry of Defence to supply uniforms and bullet proof vests would be terminated.
Police Spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said they received a report of Extortion from Yvonne Shakantu aged 51 of PHI Lusaka, who informed them about the swindling.
“Brief facts of the matter are that on October, 14, 2021 at about 17:00 hours, Musonda received a text message from Mr Mcqueen Zenzo Zaza purporting to be a Lawyer of the President and legal adviser wanting to meet Musonda,” he said.
Mr Hamoonga said that Musonda and his friend Webby Kasalu aged 47 a business man drove to the car wash, a few meters from his office to meet Zaza and his colleagues.
“Then one of them introduced himself as Detective Bwalya Chilufya based at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe Police Station and the other as Richard Phiri an engineer a public officer employed by Zambia Revenue Authority in Kasama, who drove the victim and his friend to Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe Police Station where he was told that earlier in the day, they had spotted him at Ministry of Defence and wanted to know how he got the said contract,” he said.
Mr Hamoonga said that Zaza then demanded that Musonda pays him One million kwacha so that his contract does not get terminated as he had connections with the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Jack Jacob Mwiimbu, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Garry Nkombo among others.
“Musonda requested for funds from his fellow business partners and raised K40, 000 which then he paid Mr Zaza at the back of Garden City Car park where he was comfortable and remained with a balance of K10, 000,as he had demanded to be paid K50,000, Zaza continued demanding for the balance with his colleagues until o October,15, 2021 at 20:00 hours when he was nabbed by Police officers when he went to collect the balance,” he said.
Mr Hamoonga said that the officers managed to recover K24, 000 from the three suspects which was brought to the police by the suspect’s friends.
And Mr Hamoonga said that the money has been seized and kept as exhibit.
He said the trio Mcqueen Zenzo Zaza, Detective Constable Bwalya Chilifya aged 27 and Richard Phiri aged 29 of unknown House numbers Ibex Hill were charged and arrested for the offence of Extortion Contrary to Section 279 Cap 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
Mr Hamoonga said that the cop and his swindler friends have since been given Police bond pending to appear in court.
Mr Hamoonga further cautioned members of the general public to be warily of people masquerading around to be holding offices of influence in the new dawn government administration whilst demanding for payments.
He said the Police will fairly and firmly deal with all those who will be found wanting according to the law.
