THE Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) in Lusaka has arrested a 43 year-old Ministry of Health employee for money laundering activities involving more than K60, 000, says public relations officer Theresa Katongo.

Ms Katongo said Joseph Mashilipa Mwaba, 43, a Human Resource Management Officer at the Ministry of Health has been arrested for theft, theft by public servant and money laundering contrary to the laws of Zambia.

In a statement issued yesterday, she said the suspect was arrested through its Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit.

Ms Katongo said particulars of the offence are that Joseph Mashilipa Mwaba in his capacity as human resource management officer and payroll end user for Luanshya District Health Office on the Copperbelt, on dates unknown but between 1st June, 2016 and 30th June, 2018 jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, with intent to defraud did steal money amounting to K62, 598.57 from the Government of the Republic of Zambia.

She said the money was stolen by way of introducing two ghost workers on the Luanshya District Health office payroll and was credited to his personal account at a named bank in Ndola. Further, the suspect having reason to believe that the said money was a proceed of crime did receive, possess and dispose of the same.

Ms Katongo said the suspect is on Police bond and is expected to appear in court soon.

Meanwhile, DEC in Western Province has seized 11.25 tonnes of fresh cannabis plants from Mwangalesha area in Lwampa District although no arrests have been made as the suspects are still at large.