A MUMBWA-based police officer who was on Monday detained for allegedly stealing four guns from the armoury has been charged with theft by public servant.

Central Province police chief Standwell Lungu confirmed that the officer was picked up over theft of four firearms but could not give details, referring all queries to police spokesperson Elizabeth Kanjela.

Ms Kanjela was not picking up the phone by Press time.

But police sources said the officer, who was moved from Mumbwa to Lusaka, had been charged with theft by public servant.

The arrest of the officer has raised concern among senior police officers with some arguing that the matter should not have been 'leaked' to the media as it would tarnish the image of the service.

But other officers felt that the exposure was good as it was part of cleansing of the police system of bad eggs.

The police officer, who is a sergeant, is still being held in custody.

He was allegedly found trying to take off with the firearms, which are only released after authorisation from superior officers.

Highly-placed sources said the officer confessed that he got the firearms because he wanted to use them for poaching in the nearby game park.

However, the story did not go well with superiors at Mumbwa Police Station, who felt that the matter was a serious one.