Former National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research (NISIR) board chair Judith Lungu has been detained by police and accused of abusing her position of authority.
During her tenure as board chairman at NISIR from 2017 to 2021, it is reported that Dr. Lungu bought a home from the Institute for a 40% discount, which she then paid for it.
Police Danny Mwale, a deputy public relations officer, stated in a statement that Dr. Lungu, 71, of Kabwe’s Luangwa residential area, was detained on February 15, 2023.
“Brief facts of the case are that Dr. Lungu between 2017 and 2021 at the time she served as Board Chairperson at the National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research (NISIR) purchased a house from the Institute at a reduced price of 40 percent, a condition of NISIR employees, which category she did not belong to,” Mr Mwale said.
He said that Dr. Lungu paid K178,000 of the K381,000 total cost and lived in the property, which is actually worth K800,000.
The culprit, according to Mr. Mwale, was freed on a police bond and will shortly appear in court.
