Drug Enforcement Commission Arrests Director and Employee of Gloryland Connections Limited for Fraud and Money Laundering
In a recent development, the Drug Enforcement Commission, through its Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit, has taken legal action against individuals connected to Gloryland Connections Limited on charges of fraud and money laundering. The Commission has identified and jointly charged Mr. John Mwendapole, the company’s director, and his wife, Ms. Esther Namfukwe, an employee, with a series of offenses, including money laundering.
The charges against John Mwendapole and Esther Namfukwe include the following:
- Obtaining Money by False Pretenses, which is in violation of section 309 of the Penal Code Cap 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
- Providing Banking Business, Financial Business, or Financial Services without a License, as stipulated in section 6 (1) (2) of the Banking and Financial Services Act No. 7 of 2017 of the laws of Zambia.
- Possession of Property Suspected of Being Proceeds of Crime, contravening section 71 of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act number 19 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia.
- Money Laundering, an offense under section 7 of the Prohibition and Prevention of Money Laundering Act No. 14 of 2001, as amended by Act number 44 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia.
The alleged fraudulent activities involving Mr. Mwendapole and Ms. Namfukwe took place between September 15, 2022, and September 5, 2023, in Kabwe. During this period, the accused individuals, along with unidentified accomplices, purportedly collected K1,392,000 from members of the public. They claimed these funds were payments for contract farming services, which were supposed to include the production, growth, and marketing of broilers, village chickens, pigs, and chili over periods ranging from 12 weeks to 14 months. However, investigations revealed that Gloryland Connections Limited neither owned nor leased any farms capable of conducting such agricultural activities.
As part of the investigative process, the Commission seized K46,080 in cash and two motor vehicles: a Lexus with registration number BCB 6726 and a Nissan Cube with registration number BAZ 7417. The accused individuals, Mr. Mwendapole and Ms. Namfukwe, have been released on bond and are expected to appear in court in the near future.
In a separate incident, the Drug Enforcement Commission in Lusaka apprehended two individuals involved in drug trafficking. Mr. Nsoni Mpulamasaka, aged 38, and Mr. Musenga Ngambi, aged 27, have both been jointly charged with trafficking in psychotropic substances, specifically 111 grams of cannabis. This offense is in violation of section 15 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act number 35 of 2021 of the Laws of Zambia. Both individuals are currently in lawful custody and are scheduled to appear in court soon.
The Drug Enforcement Commission has expressed deep concern over the proliferation of money circulation schemes, often referred to as ponzi or pyramid schemes, within the country. The Commission is calling on the public to exercise extreme caution and conduct thorough due diligence when considering investment opportunities. Money circulation schemes may promise significant returns but are often characterized by deceit and ultimately lead to financial losses.
The Commission reminds the public that not all opportunities that appear attractive are trustworthy and advises individuals to exercise prudence when engaging in financial transactions.
