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The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) in Chipata District of Eastern Province has arrested three pharmacists at the Chipata District Health Office for theft of government drugs and possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime.
DEC Public Relations Officer, Hussein Khan, said the Commission had jointly charged Willard Mugala, aged 42, Tamara Kamanga, aged 42, and Fortune Mtonga, aged 40, for theft by public servant.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Wednesday, Khan said the three have also been separately charged for possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime.
He said the Commission had seized a number of properties in relation to this matter namely; four motor vehicles, two three semi-detached flats, two by two semi-detached flats, one three bed roomed house and one plot of land.
“Particulars of the matter are that Mugala, Kamanga and Mtonga jointly and whilst acting together with others unknown on dates unknown but between March 1 and August 14, 2023 stole 897 containers of septrinantibiotic tablets valued at K897, 000,” Khan said.
He said this was the property of government, which came into their possession by virtue of their employment as pharmacists at the Chipata District Health Office.
He further stated the four bank accounts have also been frozen with balances totaling K34, 465.95 and that the suspects are on bond and would soon appear in court.
“The Commission is concerned with the high incidents of theft of drugs from government health facilities,” Khan said.
He added that this practice was a clear and present danger to the health sector and the arrests of the three pharmacists was a clear demonstration of the Commission’s commitment to nip this trend in the bud and should send a message to others involved in this practice to desist forthwith.
Khan said the DEC would do its part to ensure that essential drugs meant for the Zambian people do not find their way into private pharmacies.
He noted that they had intensified its surveillance measures and would not hesitate to bring culprits to book.
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