Two deny selling Baobab land

TWO men, who have been jointly charged for illegally selling the famous Baobab land on Kafue road, have denied the charge.

Before Magistrate Greenwell Malumani were Jonathan Frank Van Blerk and Sydney Musonda Kalema, who are charged for selling the land, owned by businessman Mohammed Salama, to a Chinese national using forged documents.

When the case came up for plea yesterday, Van Blerk and Kalema pleaded not guilty to the two counts of forgery, contrary to section 342 and 347; and criminal trespass, contrary to section 306A of the Penal Code, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

In the first count, it is alleged that on dates unknown but on or about January 29, 2018, Van Blerk and Kalema made a false tax clearance certificate relating to property transfer tax payable on the sale of F/4300/B22 without lawful authority.

In count two, it is alleged that the duo on dates unknown but on or about January 17, 2018, made a false application for consent to assign relating to property number F/4300/B/20, F/4300/B/21 and F/4300/B/22 to Tropical Products Zambia Limited, thereby causing issuance of a consent to assign with intent to register the property in the said company’s names.

In count three, it is alleged that Van Blerk and Kalema, together with an unknown person, on dates unknown but between November 1, 2017 and January 31, 2018, entered property number F/4300/B/1 and 2, and F/4300/B/9, 10 and 11.

According to Mr. Salama, it came to his attention that on or about January 25, 2018, a consent to assign was obtained by Van Blerk and Kalema, whilst acting with other persons unknown, for the sale of property number F/4300/21.