• The suspects are Willard Mugala 42, Tamara Kamanga 42 and Fortune Mtonga 40.
• The three have also been separately charged for Possession of Property Suspected of Being Proceeds.
• The Commission has also seized a number of properties in relation to the matter.

Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested three pharmacists at Chipata District Health Office in Eastern Province for theft of government drugs valued at K897, 000 and possession of property suspected of being proceeds of crime.
DEC Public Relations Officer Hussein Khan said in a statement that the Commission has also seized a number of properties in relation to the matter which include four motor vehicles, 2 x 3 semi-detached flats, 2 x 2 semi-detached flats, one three bedroomed house and one plot, while Four bank accounts have also been frozen with balances totalling K34, 465
Mr. Khan identified the suspects as Willard Mugala 42, Tamara Kamanga 42 and Fortune Mtonga 40, who have since been released on bond and are scheduled to appear in court soon.
“The three have also been separately charged for Possession of Property Suspected of Being Proceeds of Crime contrary to section 71 of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act No. 19 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia.”
“Particulars of the matter are that Mugala, Kamanga and Mtonga jointly and whilst acting together with others unknown on dates unknown but between 1st March and 14th August 2023 stole 897 containers of septrin antibiotic tablets valued at K897, 000 the property of the Government of the Republic of Zambia which came into their possession by virtue of their employment as pharmacists at the Chipata District Health Office. The suspects are on bond and will appear in court soon,” Mr. Khan said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Khan expressed concern over the high incidents of theft of drugs from government health facilities, describing the practice as a clear and present danger to the health sector.
“The arrest of the three pharmacists is 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.”
“As an investigative agency of the State, the DEC will do its part to ensure that essential drugs meant for the Zambian people do not find their way into private pharmacies and wishes to inform members of the public that it has intensified its surveillance measures and will not hesitate to bring culprits to book,” he said.