By Mwansa Kaumba
Police on the Copperbelt have apprehended a 41-year-old man in connection with the theft of K5,000,000 from a company bank account belonging to Coretech Supplies Limited in Kitwe.
Copperbelt Police Commissioner Rae Hamoonga stated that the matter was reported to Kitwe Central Police Station by Similawo Simbuliani, aged 47, a director at Coretech Supplies Limited, who reported the theft on behalf of the company.
”Brief facts are that on October 13, 2026, the company’s bank account held at a named Bank in Kitwe was allegedly debited with K5,000,000 through unauthorised electronic transfers to different bank accounts,” Hamoonga stated. “According to the report, the transactions occurred shortly after the company received K5,000,000 as payment for services rendered under a contract from a named institution. The company representative reportedly received a notification indicating that K2,000,000 had been transferred to a named bank account without the company’s authorisation. While he was at the bank seeking clarification, a further K2,990,000 was transferred to a named bank account, while K10,000 was sent to a mobile money number.”
He stated that following the alert, security measures were activated, leading to the apprehension of a suspect in Lusaka after he allegedly received K2,000,000 in his account.
”The suspect was identified as Johnson Malupande, aged 41, an accountant at Nexxus Manufacturing Limited,” Hamoonga stated. “Investigations further established that the suspect allegedly withdrew K48,000 from the account. Upon his apprehension, K41,168 was recovered from him.”
He stated that on October 16, 2026, officers from Kitwe Central Police Station travelled to Lusaka and took custody of the suspect for continued investigations.
”The suspect remains in police custody, assisting with investigations. The Zambia Police Service wishes to assure members of the public that investigations into the matter are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged theft, trace the remaining funds and determine whether other individuals were involved” stated Hamoonga. “The Service further urges members of the public and business entities to remain vigilant in safeguarding their financial transactions and to promptly report any suspicious or unauthorised activity to the relevant authorities.”
