A 33-year-old police officer, Emmanuel Tembo, has appeared before the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court after spending several months in hiding following allegations that he stole more than K600,000 from Zanaco Bank in Lusaka.
Tembo is accused of theft by public servant, an offence arising from allegations that he unlawfully took the money from the bank last year.
According to the information available, Tembo went into hiding after the alleged theft, prompting police to begin efforts to locate and apprehend him.
His whereabouts remained unknown for several months before police eventually traced and arrested him in Chipata, Eastern Province.
Following his arrest, Tembo was brought back to Lusaka to face the allegations before the courts.
He has since appeared before the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court, where he pleaded not guilty to the charge of theft by public servant.
His plea means that the allegations against him remain contested and that the prosecution will be required to present evidence before the court. Tembo is presumed innocent unless and until he is found guilty by a competent court.
The case has attracted attention because of the amount of money allegedly involved and the fact that the accused is a serving police officer.
The allegations date back to last year, when Tembo was reportedly accused of being involved in the disappearance of more than K600,000 from Zanaco Bank in Lusaka. Following the allegations, he allegedly disappeared and remained out of reach of law enforcement for several months.
His eventual arrest in Chipata brought an end to the period he had reportedly spent in hiding and paved the way for the matter to proceed through the judicial system.
The prosecution will now have an opportunity to present its case, while Tembo will have the opportunity to defend himself against the allegations through his legal representatives.
The case also highlights the role of the courts in determining criminal allegations, particularly where substantial sums of money are involved.
For now, the charge against Tembo remains an allegation, and his not-guilty plea means the matter will proceed for determination by the court.
Further proceedings are expected as the prosecution and defence present their respective cases.
