Corrupt cop jailed 1 year over K800 graft
By George Zulu
A COURT in Siavonga has sentenced Francis Chisala, a police officer at Chirundu Police Station, to 12 months imprisonment with hard labour for corruption involving K800.
Lusaka High Court judge Ireen Wishimanga, sitting as Siavonga magistrate, convicted Chisala on one count of corrupt practices by a public officer.
He was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment with hard labour effective Friday.
In July 2024, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) charged Chisala with one count of the offence.
Chisala, on dates between November, 30, 2020 and December, 3, 2020, in Chirundu District, being a public officer namely a police officer at Chirundu Police Station, corruptly obtained K800 as gratification from Jeremiah Donkan Phiri as an inducement not to charge him with a traffic offence.
Chisala also allowed Phiri to use the Chirundu-Lusaka Road, a matter or transaction concerning the Zambia Police Service, a public body.
ACC has warned public officers against abusing public offices for their own personal benefit.
“Public office is a position of trust and must be exercised with integrity and in the interest of the public. Public officers should desist from soliciting or accepting bribes or any form of gratification in the execution of their duties,” ACC head of corporate communications Joseph Mwenya warned.
Mwenya said the conviction and sentence should serve as a warning to public officers that engaging in corrupt practices has serious consequences.
“The commission will continue to investigate and, where evidence establishes an offence, ensure that those involved in corruption face the full force of the law,” Mwenya.
