Court puts PF commander on defense over K12 million property plus dubious Zesco allowances
THE LUSAKA Magistrates Court has granted a Commander of the fallen PF regime an opportunity to explain how he managed to amass property worth K12 million despite spending most of his time in Intercity Bus Terminus.
Francis Muchemwa will also have to explain how he received K141, 400 from Zesco for the alleged trips he undertook yet he never filed an activity report or a retirement imprest upon returning.
Lusaka Chief resident magistrate Davies Chibwili has found Muchemwa and his companies Friltech Zambia limited and Altitude Properties with a case to answer for possessing over K12 million and properties suspected to be proceeds of crime.
Magistrate Chibwili has acquitted Muchemwa and his companies for failing to comply with the provisions of the tax income Act and tax evasion on reasons that the prosecution’s evidence insufficient warranting him to place them on defence.
He said no employee from the Zambia Revenue Authority proved the said allegations and relying on information revealed by the arresting officer only would amount to admitting hearsay evidence.
“Reasonable suspicion has been raised requiring the accused to explain the source of income which is disproportionate to their income,”said magistrate Chibwili.
“The accused have been found with cases to answer as there is sufficient evidence to support count one to six and nine and I hereby place them on their defense.”
Muchemwa and his companies are facing six counts of possessing suspicious property worth over K12 million and obtaining money through pecuniary advantages.
Magistrate Chibwili adjourned the matter to November 27 for mention and ruling on Muchemwa’s plea to have his ‘mansion’ temporarily released to him.
By Mwaka Ndawa
Kalemba