Lawyer And Police Officer On The Run After Stealing $800,000

A lawyer and a police officer are on the run after allegedly stealing US$800,000 from a suspect’s home during a search party last week. 

The fugitives - State Counsel Mutemwa Mutemwa and Detective Chief Inspector Mano Kayombo of Lusaka Central Police Station - are accused of stealing the money from a house in the Salama Park area of Lusaka. The house belongs to a Mr Lloyd Chinjenge, who police had been informed was in possession of money that had been unlawfully obtained. 

Officers were instructed to search two homes - one in Salama Park and another in Ibex Hill - on 19th October, under the supervision of Mr Chinjenge’s legal counsel, also called Mutemwa Mutemwa Jr. 

While the main party was searching the Ibex Hill property, the lawyer instructed Detective Kayombo and State Counsel Mutemwa to go to Salama Park, where they picked up two bags thought to contain the cash. They were spotted by another officer who was undercover at the time and tasked with surveilling the property. 

The following day, Mr Chinjenge reported the money missing and police arrested Mutemwa Mutemwa Jr, who informed that his accomplices had made off with the cash. 

Both State Counsel Mutemwa and Detective Kayombo remain on the run and police have instigated a manhunt to track down the two fugitives. 

Explaining the situation, police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga dispelled false reports that other police officers had made off with $3 million during the search of a home belonging to businessman Valden Findley. 

He said the story, which is currently doing the rounds on social media, was conflating action undertaken at Mr Findley’s home by the Anti-Corruption Commission, with the police operation involving Mr Chinjenge and the stolen $800,000.