THE Drug Enforcement Commission has charged and arrested Konkola Copper Mines provisional liquidator Milingo Lungu.
Lungu has been charged for obtaining money by false pretenses contrary to section 308 as read with section 309 of the Penal Code Act, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia, Theft contrary to section 280 of the Penal Code Act, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia, and money laundering contrary to section 7 of the Prohibition and Prevention of Money Laundering Act No 14 of 2001 as read with the Amendment Act No. 44 of 2010.
DEC Public Relations Officer Mathias Kamanga said the Commission concluded investigations in some of the matters pertaining to the case at Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) Plc.
“The commission has charged and arrested Mr. Milingo Lungu, a male aged 43 of Plot 22763, Mulungushi Road in Roma, Lusaka for obtaining money by false pretenses contrary to section 308 as read with section 309 of the Penal Code Act, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia, Theft contrary to section 280 of the Penal Code Act, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia, and money laundering contrary to section 7 of the Prohibition and Prevention of Money Laundering Act No 14 of 2001 as read with the Amendment Act No. 44 of 2010,” said Kamanga.
“Allegations are that Milingo Lungu, jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, on dates unknown but between 22nd May 2019 and 15th August 2021 did engage in theft involving K110.4m and US$250,000.00. It is further alleged that he obtained money by false pretenses amounting to US$2,200,000.00. He has also been charged for money laundering for the said amounts. The money is said to have come into his possession by virtue of being the Provisional Liquidator for Konkola Copper Mines Plc.”
He said Lungu has since been released on Police Bond and will appear in court soon.
He said investigations of other matters of interest have reached an advanced stage.
“The Commission wishes to state that it has received a total of Ninety (90) reports during this period of which Three (03) were received just before the elections and eighty-seven (87) after the election. Verifications have been instituted in all the 90 reports and the public will be updated once investigations are concluded. As stated earlier, the Commission is very grateful for all the information received from members of the public. In this regard, we are urging the public to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Public Interest Disclosure (Protection of Whistleblowers) Act No. 4 of 2010.”
Kamanga said the commission welcomes verifiable information from the public, stating that information must not be malicious, frivolous, vexatious, trivial or made in bad faith.
“…information must not be made for pecuniary gain or illegal purpose. Section 13 (1) of the said Act is very instructive in this regard. We further wish to state that financial crimes are complex in nature as they require the investigators to go through the process of following every transaction in order to establish how assets, especially money has been moving. The Commission undertakes thorough and systematic authentication of all transactions in line with applicable laws and international standards such as the Financial Action Task Force standards,” he said.
Kamanga said the Commission is also very strict in observing human rights and freedoms of persons in carrying out investigations.
He said it therefore goes without saying that the perceived delay in the arrest of suspects or indeed conclusion of investigations is not because the Commission has stopped investigating but rather that investigators go through this rigorous process to ensure that cases that are taken to court are on firm ground.
“In this regard, the Commission wishes to announce the conclusion of investigations in a case that was reported prior to the elections which involved six (06) suspects from a named Mobile Network Operator (MNO) who have since been arrested for theft contrary to section 278 of the Penal Code Act, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia and money laundering contrary to section 7 of the Prohibition and Prevention of Money Laundering Act No. 14 of 2001 as read with the Amendment Act No. 44 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia. These are, Kaseele Hamanyanga, a male aged 37, Bright Kakana, a male aged 46, Jethro Mukatasha, a male aged 40, George Kambole, a male aged 42, Clarence Kauseni, a male aged 40 and George Tapula, a male aged 40.”
“The allegation is that Kaseele Hamanyanga, jointly and whilst working together with Bright Kakana, Jethro Mukatasha, George Kambole, Clarence Kauseni, George Tapula and other persons unknown, on dates unknown but between 1st January 2018 and 31st December 2019, did steal a total of K624,700.00 property of the said MNO without lawful authority. The suspects were released on police bond and will appear in court soon.”
Zambia 365
