By ALICE NACHILEMBE
The Drug Enforcement Commission in Chipata, Eastern Province has arrested three pharmacists at the Chipata District Health Office for theft of government drugs and possession of property suspected of being proceeds of crime.
The Commission has jointly charged Willard Mugala 42, Tamara Kamanga 42, and Fortune Mtonga 40, for Theft by Public Servant contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
DEC Public Relations Officer Hussein Khan said the three have also been separately charged for Possession of Property Suspected of Being Proceeds of Crime.
Mr Khan said particulars of the matter are that Mugala, Kamanga and Mtonga jointly and whilst acting together with others unknown on dates unknown but between March 1, and August 14, 2023 stole 897 containers of septrin antibiotic tablets valued at K897, 000 the property of the Government of the Republic of Zambia which came into their possession by virtue of their employment as pharmacists at the Chipata District Health Office.
He said the Commission has seized a number of properties in relation to this matter namely; four motor vehicles, two x three semi-detached flats, two x two semi-detached flats, one three bedroomed house and one plot. Four bank accounts have also been frozen with balances totalling K34, 465.95.
The suspects are on bond and will appear in court soon.
“The Commission is concerned with the high incidents of theft of drugs from government health facilities. This practice is a clear and present danger to the health sector and the arrests of the three pharmacists is a clear demonstration of the Commission’s commitment to nip this trend in the bud and should send a message to others involved in this practice to desist forthwith,” he said.
