Three oil marketing officials arrested for alleged theft, money laundering

Three officials from an Oil Marketing Company (OMC), name withheld, have been arrested for theft and money laundering involving over K4 million.

The three were arrested by the Drug Enforcement Commission through its Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit.

In another development, the Commission has also arrested a Food Reserve Agency (FRA) Marketing Assistant for theft of maize and money laundering.

On arresting the three officials, DEC Public Relations Officer, Hussein Khan, in a statement issued on Monday said the Commission had jointly charged Kenneth Mazibisa, aged 29, a Filling Station Manager and Kasongo Nkole, aged 38, an Accounts Clerk.

Khan said DEC had separately charged Anthony Sindala, aged 37, a Filling Station Manager for theft by Servant.

He said this was contrary to section 277 of the Penal Code Cap 87 of the Laws of Zambia, Forgery and Uttering False Documents contrary to sections 342 and 352 respectively of the Penal Code.

“This is also contrary to Money Laundering section 7 of the Prohibition and Prevention of Money Laundering Act No. 14 of 2001 as read with Act No. 44 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia and Possession of Property Suspected of being Proceeds of Crime contrary to section 71 of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act No.19 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia,” Khan said.

Particulars of the case are that Kenneth Mazibisa and Kasongo Nkole on dates unknown but between January 1, 2019 and March 31, 2020 jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown stole K1, 761, 028 from the OMC by creating fictitious fuel transactions and under banking.

Further, according to Khan, during the same period, Sindala jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown stole K2, 907, 527.22 from the OMC using the same modus operandi.

“In the course of investigations, the Commission seized three semi-detached flats, 10 motor vehicles and froze two bank accounts with balances totalling K33, 353.24,” Khan said.

On arresting an FRA Marketing Assistant, Khan said Bornface Chilambwe, aged 37, had been charged for Theft by Servant and Money Laundering.

Particulars of the matter are that Bornface Chilambwe in his capacity as a Marketing Assistant at the FRA Sesheke Main Depot on dates unknown but between January 1, 2023 and 31st July, 2023 jointly and whilst working with other persons unknown stole 7,310 by 50 Kilogrammes of white maize valued at K2, 047,400. Chilambwe further engaged in money laundering involving proceeds of crime.

The suspects are on bond and will appear in court soon.

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