By JULIUS PHIRI –

A ZAMBIA Police Service chief inspector, with two others charged with theft of K126,410 belonging to Chipata’s Mount Meru Filling Station on Friday pleaded not guilty in the Chipata magistrates’ court.
Appearing before magistrate Fred Munsaka were Felix Muntanga, 40, a Police chief inspector and Godwin Inambao, 30, a taxi driver who are charged with theft and Rozara Theresa Sandu, 30, a filling station manager at Mount Meru in Chipata District, on the other hand, charged with theft by servant.
Facts before the court were that the three, while working together on Monday, July 20, 2015 did steal K126,410 cash, property of Mount Meru Filling Station.
Magistrate Munsaka has set August 5, 2015 for commencement of trial.
The accused will remain in Police custody.
Meanwhile, the Government has warned Police officers against engaging in criminal activities.
Police spokesperson Charity Munganga-Chanda warned that there would be no sacred cows in such criminal matters.
She said all officers found wanting would be dealt with severely like any other suspects.
Home Affairs Permanent Secretary Chileshe Mulenga said such criminals from the Zambia Police Service would be weeded out by the Government.
Dr Mulenga said it was unfortunate that a chief inspector who was supposed to protect the people was found engaging in criminal activities.
“The Government will weed out bad eggs from the Zambia Police Service because the role of the Police is to protect the people who are not police officers.
Criminal elements that are hiding in the Zambia Police Service will be weeded out,” Dr Mulenga said.
He appealed to the general public to report any Police officer found committing criminal activities so that such an officer would be removed from the service.