By MILDRED KATONGO  –
FOUR people, a teacher and her husband and two agriculture camp officers of Masaiti district on the Copperbelt have been arrested in connection with the theft of fertilizer meant for the Framer Input Support Programme (FISP)
Acting Masaiti district commissioner Evans Mambwe said the four were being held in connection with  investigations on 15 bags of Urea fertiliser that was stolen.
Mr Mambwe said when he visited the suspects in at Chifubu police station to establish the facts that the four were picked up by police on February 21 to help with investigations the theft of 15 bags of Urea fertilizer.
It is alleged that the two agriculture camp officers Passy Falanga and Charles Kapotwe connived and sold the fertilizer to a teacher and her husband when the same belonged to co-operatives.
“Police have picked up four people in connection with the theft of fertilizer under the FISP. The four made a deal to sell fertilizer intended for the farmers belonging to Mukuyu and Kambalanga co-oporatives,” he said.
Mr Mambwe said an Isuzu truck registration number ACX 4053 which was used to ferry the fertilizer had been impounded.
He warned civil servants to stop engaging in illegal acts as Government would not hesitate to deal with erring officers.
Mr Mambwe said it was unfortunate that officers who were supposed to be in the forefront spearheading Government projects were busy frustrating the efforts.
“We will not hesitate to deal with such officers. The law will take up its course ad all those found wanting they will be dealt with.
Copperbelt commissioner of police Charity Katanga said she had not yet received a report on the arrest.