The 26-year-old Kayelu, known for his mischievous behavior, has been charged with theft by servant for ste@ling an AK-47 rifle, which he intended to sell for K3,000 in Southern Province between June 4 and June 6, 2023.
Kayelu had access to the firearm due to his role overseeing the armory at the government printers.
According to the arresting officer, Kayelu claimed he took the weapon from the arms cache to fulfill his recruitment oath of protecting human life. He used it to safeguard his father-in-law during a trip to the village.
In his defense, Kayelu explained that after being admitted to NIPA in June 2022, he requested a transfer from Makeni to an office closer to NIPA.
“My request was granted and I was moved to government printers an operational police post.
Whilst at government printers, I was given duties to be in charge of the red box, the armory which had four fire arms which included CP 9838,” he said.
“Being the one who was in charge of the armory, I legally withdrew CP9838 to myself on July 8, 2022 which I used for my day to day duties for July 2022 to March 2023. On March 23, I took a trip to Southern Province. I escorted my father in law, I carried along the AK47 rifle serial no. CP 9838 and I was back in Lusaka to finish up my week of duty as I was supposed to go on leave.”
He said he proceeded on leave on March 28, 2023 and never deposited back the AK 47 rifle into the red box.
“I spent my leave in Gwembe where my wife was working from at the time. After I carried the firearm with me in Gwembe my wife Diana Changwe complained of the danger the firearm posed in the house in case of a marital problem,” said Kayelu.
“That’s when I decided in April to keep the gun at meyesano village at Mr Shatontola’s house which I would collect when coming to Lusaka in June 2023.”
However, in her judgment magistrate Irene Wishimanga found that Kayelu’s intention to take the firearm to Gwembe, was to deprive the government permanently of its property, as he had no claim of right to the firearm which was not assigned to him.
“What was the AK-47 doing with the accused when he was on leave. If indeed his wife complained in Gwembe why didn’t he have the AK47 rifle deposited at Gwembe police station but took it to Pemba to someone’s house?,”she questioned.
“Why did he not deposit it at Pemba police station, it’s because his intention was to deprive the government of its property as a public servant.”
She said Kayelu’s actions were suspicious, wondering why he would withdraw a firearm from the armory when he knew he was going on leave and secure it at a civilian’s home.
