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Police in Lusaka are investigating the theft of medicines from the University Teaching Hospital (UTH), involving a security guard employed by Arm Secure Security Company.
The case was reported on February 1, 2025, at 08:00 hours by UTH Chief Pharmacist Elias Chambula, 54, of Chilanga.
The incident is believed to have occurred on January 31, 2025, at an unknown time.
According to a statement issued in Lusaka on Tuesday, Police Spokesperson, Rae Hamoonga, identified the suspect as Kelvin Nyambe, 29, of Kuku Compound.
He was apprehended for allegedly stealing assorted medicines from the newly constructed Out-Patient Department (OPD) building at UTH.
Nyambe and seven other security officers had been assigned to guard the OPD building, where various medicines were temporarily stored.
At around 23:00 hours, his colleague, Ostein China, went to the toilet within the building and reportedly found Nyambe packing medicines into a backpack and black plastic bags.
“China immediately alerted other security officers, who assisted in apprehending the suspect. He was later taken to Kabwata Police Station, where he is currently detained in lawful custody,” Hamoonga said.
Police recovered; 15 bottles of Panadol (1,000 tablets each), 25 bottles of Ibuprofen (1,000 tablets each), and 24 bottles of Dolutegravir (ART) tablets (90 tablets each).
“The suspect led officers to the scene of the crime, showing where the medicines were stored and the toilets where he had hidden the stolen items,” Hamoonga added.
The total value of the stolen medicines is yet to be determined.
Authorities have advised UTH to conduct a full stocktake to assess the exact loss.
Hamoonga commended the security officers for their swift action and urged those entrusted with safeguarding public property to carry out their duties diligently.
“We appeal to anyone with information to come forward and assist in this investigation. The case remains under active inquiry,” he said.
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