A Zambian police officer has earned national admiration after refusing a bribe worth US$50,000 offered by a suspect intercepted with millions of dollars in cash and suspected gold at the country’s main international airport.
Detective Sergeant Ruth Nyambe was commended for what authorities described as extraordinary honesty following an incident at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka on 5 February 2025. She reportedly stopped a traveller found in possession of approximately US$2.3 million and seven suspected gold bars while attempting to board a flight to an undisclosed destination.
Attempted Bribery at the Airport
According to details released by Zambia’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the suspect tried to buy his freedom after being confronted. The bribe offer reportedly began at US$5,000, but after Nyambe rejected it, the suspect raised the amount to US$50,000 in a bid to continue the journey without interference.
Nyambe refused all offers and immediately reported the matter to the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), resulting in the suspect’s arrest and the preservation of evidence for prosecution.
Recognition and Promotion
Nyambe’s integrity did not go unnoticed. On 23 December 2025, she was honoured at the ACC Chief Executive Officers’ Forum, where ACC Director-General Daphne Chabu presented her with the organisation’s Integrity Award.
A day later, Zambia’s Inspector-General of Police, Graphel Musamba, announced her promotion from Detective Sergeant to Inspector of Police, citing her conduct as exemplary.
The police service said the promotion was granted “in recognition of her integrity, outstanding performance and refusal to engage in corruption.”
More Officials Honoured
Nyambe was among several public officials recognised for ethical conduct. The ACC also honoured Hendrix Mwinga, a Technical Plant Health Inspector, who rejected a bribe of 160,000 kwacha (about US$7,100) offered by a milling company attempting to illegally import three truckloads of contaminated wheat from South Africa through the Kazungula Border Post.
The unsafe wheat consignment was ordered to be returned to its point of origin.
The ACC said the awards were meant to encourage integrity and accountability in public service and to demonstrate that corruption can be resisted, even under extreme temptation.
