Court views flats in Chimese case
THE Lusaka Magistrates’ Court yesterday moved to Ibex Hill area to view nine
plush flats suspected to be
part of property allegedly concealed by former Zambia Air Force (ZAF) Commander Lieutenant General Eric Chimese.
Of the fully furnished lush four-bedroomed houses, three are in one wall fence while the other six are in another enclosure, all in one main wall fence.
This is in a case Chimese is charged with Chita Lodges managing director James Chungu for allegedly jointly concealing and disguising the rights with respect to ownership of the nine flats, one single storey building, one guest wing and one semi-detached cottage situated on farm number 2303 /Q in Ibex Hill, knowing or having knowledge to believe that the said properties were proceeds of crime.
In the other charge, Chimese is alleged to have, between January 2012 and February 2019 in Lusaka, possessed the nine flats, one single storey building, one guest wing and one semi-detached cottage situated on the same farm, knowing or having knowledge to believe that the said properties were proceeds of crime.
In the last count, Chimese and his wife Sharon are accused of possessing two houses situated on farm number 4301/31 in Makeni’s Eureka area, knowing or having knowledge to believe that the said property was proceeds of crime.
Testifying during the visit yesterday, third prosecution witness Martin Chanda Mwesha, a ZAF electrician, said he fitted chandeliers and ceiling down lights in all the nine flats
During the same viewing, Chungu informed the court that he is in charge of the premises and lives there.
Later the court heard that one of the flats was already occupied by a tenant but Lusaka Magistrate Nsunge Chanda insisted that even if the house is occupied, the court had to view it as it is part of evidence.
“If the thief entered the bedroom the police will also enter the bedroom. We will just use the natural respect of not entering the bedrooms,” Ms. Chanda said after which the houses were marked for evidence.
On Tuesday, Mr. Mwesha told the court that he started installing the electrical fittings from 1 and finished last year, after his then supervisor Eric Bwalya, who was ZAF director of works, told him to do the job at Chimese’s residence. Trial continues tomorrow.