Police officer convicted for soliciting bribes
The Blantyre Chief Resident Magistrate’s Court has convicted police officer Felix Mloiwa of Mpemba Police Unit for soliciting money to release three suspects on bail.
This comes after investigations were instituted by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) following a complaint in 2010 that Mloiwa received money amounting to K5 100 (about $12) for him to release the suspects on bail.
According to the ACB, the police officer in question was arrested and taken to Blantyre Magistrate’s Court where he was charged with four counts of corrupt practices by public officer and one count of abuse of public office contrary to sections 24 (1) and 25 (1) of the Corrupt Practices Act.
“On 3rd July, 2013, Blantyre Chief Resident Magistrate’s Court found Felix Mloiwa guilty of the counts of corrupt practices by public officer. He was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment with hard labour but it was suspended.
“The court argued that the sentence has been suspended because the convict has lost employment in the police service and his terminal benefits,” reads a statement from the ACB signed by senior public relations officer Egrita Ndala.
The prosecution team asked the court that the exhibits, in form of money which were tendered in court as evidence, be paid back to the owner in accordance with Section 149 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Code; a request which was granted by the court.
The anti-graft body on a separate note reminded members of the public that police bail is free and no one should be forced to pay services that are for free.—Mana
