By: Vanessa Chibwe
The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested two businessmen in Lusaka for alleged involvement in theft and money-laundering activities amounting to more than K749,000 belonging to the Zambia Statistics Agency (ZAMSTATS).
According to a statement issued by DEC Public Relations Officer Allan Tamba, the arrests were made through the Commission’s Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit (AMLIU).
The suspects, identified as Edward Mulenga, 39, and Patrick Phiri, 50, both of Garden House in Lusaka, are alleged to have stolen K749,430 between December 2024 and August 2025.
The funds, which belonged to ZAMSTATS, were allegedly used for personal benefit, including the purchase of household items, payment of school fees, rentals, and logistics for their private company.
The Commission further disclosed that the two men subsequently engaged in money-laundering activities in violation of Section 7 of the Prohibition and Prevention of Money Laundering Act No. 14 of 2001, as amended by Act No. 44 of 2010. Their alleged theft falls under Section 272 of the Penal Code, Cap 87.
Mulenga and Phiri have since been released on police bond and are expected to appear in court soon.
©️ Zambia Reports | December 12th, 2025.