Chipangali NRPUP councilor arrested over forged G12 certificate

Police in Chipata have formally arrested and charged Innocent Daka, the National Rescue Party and Unity Party (NRPUP) councilor-elect for Chipangali District, in connection with the alleged forgery and uttering of a Grade 12 school certificate. According to law enforcement authorities, the fraudulent document was presented to returning officers during local government nomination proceedings, sparking a comprehensive investigation into academic credential verification for political aspirants in the Eastern Province. Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba confirmed the development, noting that the offense came to light following heightened scrutiny of academic qualifications submitted by candidates vying for public office. The Examinations Council of Zambia (ECZ) has increasingly tightened its verification protocols, working hand-in-hand with investigative wings to weed out candidates attempting to bypass statutory requirements through illicit means. Under Zambian electoral laws, possessing a valid Grade 12 certificate or its equivalent remains a mandatory prerequisite for anyone seeking election to local government councils or parliamentary seats. This arrest highlights a persistent challenge within Zambia's electoral landscape, where the integrity of leadership credentials frequently comes under question. Academic fraud not only undermines the credibility of local governance structures but also subverts the democratic choice of voters who repose trust in their elected representatives. Civil society organizations and governance watchdogs have repeatedly called for stringent pre-nomination vetting processes by political parties themselves, arguing that relying solely on post-election discovery damages public confidence in political institutions. Legal experts note that forgery and uttering false documents are serious criminal offenses under the Zambian Penal Code, carrying stiff penalties upon conviction, including imprisonment. As the matter