Maravi

C/belt cops are the most corrupt, says Mwaliteta

C/belt cops are the most corrupt, says Mwaliteta
By Roy Habaalu in Kitwe
Mon 06 Feb. 2012, 12:59 CAT

HOME affairs deputy minister Obvious Mwaliteta says Copperbelt police officers are the most corrupt. Addressing Police, Immigration and Drug Enforcement Commission officers at Kitwe Central Police last Wednesday, Mwaliteta said Copperbelt police officers were compromised because they were on the payroll of the district's notorious gang known as ‘Jerabos'.

He said he had a list of officers that were receiving ‘salaries' from Jerabos that were three times more compared to what the government was paying them.

"You're only liked by criminals; they are your friends not members of the public. Criminals like you very much and when they see you, they're happy because you are on their payroll. Senior police officers are on the Jerabos' payroll but that money is short-lived," he said.

"I have a list of officers from here (Copperbelt) who are on the payroll of Jerabos but I won't harass you but please tell them that next month you are not getting their money because things have changed. This is a new government."

Mwaliteta instructed Provincial Commissioner of Police Mary Tembo to expidite investigations of MMD impounded vehicles so that they could be given to ministries with transport constraints.

He said police officers were compromised because they lacked transport and were not motivated.

Mwaliteta said officers were brainwashed into thinking that they could not survive without receiving corrupt money.

"They (Jerabos) are giving you trouble because you are receiving their money. Corruption should be fought here. Don't wait for State House. Copperbelt is a very sensitive province and God is listening. I receive a lot of calls from very wealthy people wanting to meet me but I refuse, I tell them ‘what do you want now? Why didn't you want me when I was a security guard?'" he said.

He said whenever a police officer was in the community, people thought he was on a begging expedition.

Mwaliteta said his ministry would engage the Treasury to see how best provinces can operate on their own budgets without waiting for funds from the central government.

He said the government would find a way of retaining part of the revenue collected by Immigration Department to mitigate their fuel and transport challenges.

Mwaliteta said the government would provide logistics to ensure that imprisoned illegal immigrants are taken back to their countries of origin to de-congest the prisons.

Labels: COPPERBELT PROVINCE, POLICE CORRUPTION

posted by MrK @ 3:53 PM