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Murder
Suspect Bribes Police
By Madube Pasi Siyauya
A murder suspect at Mukobeko Maximum Prison is alleging that he bribed
police officers not to be arrested for the crime.
Speaking to Kabwe Legal Resources Foundation (LRF) Legal Advice Centre
paralegal Michael Mwanza who was visiting the prison, Amos Silwenga a murder
suspect, alleged that in May, 2001 a human body was found next to a pig
carcass on the road leading to Kafulamanse.
He said investigations into the murder linked him and his cousins Joseph and
Frank Silwenga to the murder. This was because the pig found next to the
human body was theirs. The three decided to go into hiding.
He alleged that the police officers that went to investigate the matter told
their wives to pay them K500, 000 thereafter they would drop investigations
to the matter.
He said K135, 000 was paid to a named police officer from Chowa police who
was investigating the matter. The following week, K365, 000 was paid.
Silwenga alleges that the police officers were using a man only known as
Davie of Katondo Neighbourhood Watch to make these demands.
In February, 2002 when a number of officers who were involved in the matter
had been transferred from Katondo and Chowa police, Davie went back to
Kafulamase and arrested Joseph whom he detained at Katondo police post using
a false name. While Joseph was in detention, Davie returned to Kafulamase
and told family members that police officers who took over at the police
stations wanted bribes as well failure to which Silwenga would be
prosecuted. Silwenga gave him K60,000, Frank gave them a goat and Chicken
after which Joseph was released.
As time went by, Silwenga divorced his wife and married another woman. Two
of his children from his first marriage died and he did not attend the
funeral.
This angered his first wife's mother who reported to Chowa Police that
Silwenga was a member of the family that murdered the pig thief suspect.
Silwenga was arrested and has since been remanded at Mukobeko Maximum
prison.
When contacted for a comment, Chowa Police Chief inspector Silungwe
confirmed the murder of a suspected pig thief but could not confirm that
Silwenga was a prime suspect in the matter. He also could not confirm
whether any of the officers got a bribe from the mentioned people.
Commenting on the matter, Mwanza said his centre has in the recent past
received complaints from members of the public about police officers
demanding bribes even when the republican president had declared zero
tolerance to corruption.
Mwanza said it was sad to learn that police officers who are supposed to
protect people and act as deterrents of crime are indulging themselves in
demanding bribes. He said such practices have resulted into increased crime
levels with criminals being assured of going scot-free. |
