Maravi

Task Force arrests Xavier for theft

Task Force arrests Xavier for theft
Written by Maluba Jere
Tuesday, December 23, 2008 12:21:31 PM

FORMER Zambia Security Intelligence Services chief Xavier Chungu was yesterday arrested by the Task Force on charges of theft involving US $149,000 and K226 million.

And the Task Force on Corruption said former Access Financial Services director Aaron Chungu will be apprehended for refusing to appear before it yesterday.

Speaking to journalists yesterday, Task Force executive chairman Maxwell Nkole said Chungu was arrested at Woodlands Police Station at about 09:00 hours and charged with theft involving US $149,000 and K226 million.

Nkole said Chungu together with his co-accused Aaron is believed to have stolen the money, which was allegedly used to construct a house in Kabulonga.

“The house is currently under restriction. Whilst Xavier Chungu was absent, it was not possible for us to arrest others but now that he is back, all of them will be arrested,” he said.

Nkole said Aaron's lawyers had promised to bring their client to the police station but did not do so. He said failure by Aaron and Faustin Kabwe to appear before the Task Force may amount to interference with police work.

“It's a pity that they chose to ignore the summons and that may create other problems,” Nkole said. “The summons were signed by chief inspector Phiri, so by refusing to appear is ignoring summons by the police which may amount to interference with police work.”

And Nkole said law enforcement officers would soon go on a manhunt to ensure Aaron and Kabwe were apprehended following their refusal to appear before the Task Force.

“We will give instructions to all officers to bring Aaron Chungu for an arrest in the next few days,” he said. “It's a pity that while we offered him his rights to come with his lawyers, he refuses, so now he will be apprehended.”

On Kabwe, Nkole explained that he was willing to appear and that he had been given a chance to appear with his lawyers but wondered why he did not do so.

He said the Task Force was not in a hurry to make Chungu appear in court without his co accused because that may seem as though he is being harassed since he was already in custody.

Labels: AARON CHUNGU, CORRUPTION, TASK FORCE, XAVIER CHUNGU

posted by MrK @ 12:21 PM