Blantyre — A police officer, Sub-Inspector Macjose Mwale (retired) is serving 36 months imprisonment at Chichiri prison after Blantyre magistrate court found him guilty on corruption charges.

On 6th January, 2011, the Anti-Corruption Bureau arrested Sub-Inspector MacJose Mwale of Lunzu police unit for soliciting K5,000.00 and receiving K3,000.00 in order for him to release Gilbert Chithumba and Rodrick Saiti on police bail.

Anti-corruption Bureau (ACB) Senior Public Relations Officer, Egrita Ndala said Mwale was taken to Blantyre Magistrates Court where he was charged with three counts of corrupt practices by public officer and three counts of abuse of office contrary to Section 24(1) and 25B (1) of the Corrupt Practices Act.

"On 19th July, 2013, Blantyre Principal Resident Magistrate, Innocent Nebi found MacJose Mwale guilty of all the charges and convicted him accordingly.

"On 23rd July, 2013 the court sentenced him to twelve months imprisonment with hard labour on each of the counts," said Ndala.

Ndala said the sentences will run concurrently from the date of conviction and Mwale is serving the sentence at Chichiri Prison.

Meanwhile, the Bureau is advising members of the public that police bail is free therefore no one should demand payment from them in order to release them or their relations on police bail.