Shiwang’andu cooperative swindled K19, 000 FISP contributions

A Cooperative based in Shiwang'andu District in Muchinga Province has been swindled K19, 100.00 Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) contributions by unknown person.

Muchinga Province Police Commanding Officer Kaunda Mubanga confirmed the incident in an interview with ZANIS in Shiwang'andu .

Mr. Mubanga stated that the incident happened on 8 December 2022 between 08:00 hrs and 12:00 hrs at Katibunga Village in Chief Mukwikile's area in Shiwang'andu District.

The Police Commanding Officer said Anthony Chileshe 57, Chairperson of Chikamoneka Cooperative reported the incidence on behalf of the cooperative at Shiwang’andu Police Station on December 9, 2022 around 15:00hrs, that a person had obtained money from them by false pretences.

Mr Chileshe reported that an unknown female person called through an Airtel and Zamtel lines registered in the name of Jenipher Masuka that she was the agricultural officer of shiwang'andu and requested the cooperative to send money meant for redeeming Farming Inputs under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP).

"Brief facts are that on the material day Joseph Katemba a member of Chikamoneka cooperative was requested to send money to the caller who pretended to be an officer from agriculture so that they can redeem and access 270 x 50kg bags of fertilizer from the agriculture office," said Mr Mubanga.

"Joseph Katemba informed the chairperson and the chairperson sent k18, 000 on the same day and upon reaching Shiwang'andu District Office where they were told to collect the farming inputs he was requested to send K1,100 on the same number for transportation of the same to their village and soon after the transaction the person switched off her phone," added Mr Mubanga .

The Police Commanding Officer said the cooperative members visited the agricultural office to inquire about the farming inputs and it was at that moment that they realized and discovered that they had been swindled and later reported the case to Police.

Mr Mubanga said a docket of case has since been opened and investigations are underway.

ZANIS

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