CHILUFYA DID NOT COMMIT ANY CRIME – ACC OFFICER
HEALTH Minister Chitalu Chilufya did not commit any crime by acquiring properties he is alleged to have acquired corruptly, a state witness yesterday told the Lusaka Magistrate’s court.
Testifying for the second day, ACC investigator Chipampe Manda, told the court that the total income for Chilufya from his legitimate earnings were more than the assets he is accused of having obtained corruptly.
Mr Manda was testifying before Chief Resident Magistrate Lameck Mwale in a case in which Chilufya is facing four counts of having property suspected to be proceeds of crime.
He also told the court that Chilufya obtained a K15 million loan from the Development Bank of Zambia and K2 million from the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC).
Mr Manda also said he did not have any evidence that Chilufya had the money mentioned in the indictment.
He said he did have evidence that Chilufya had the K3 million used to buy Sparks Guest House from Mansa Batteries and $200, 000 used to buy 6, 000 shares in Samfya Marines and Tourism Services Zambia Limited from Den Daas Investments Limited.
He also agreed with defence lawyers that there was no evidence that Chilufya had US$52, 000 which was alleged to have been used to buy a passenger boat from Dubai.
Mr Manda said after analysing Chilufya’s source of income, he came to a conclusion that his earnings were more than the total value of properties he is accused of obtaining illegally.
Mr Manda told the court that Chilufya’s company, Henry Courtyard Hotel, obtained the DBZ loan way back before he was accused of owning properties suspected to be proceeds of crime.
He said he had access to Chilufya and Henry Courtyard bank accounts held with Zanaco, Cavmont Mansa branch, Atlas Mara, and Indo Bank.
Mr Manda said during the investigation, Chilufya cooperated well and that there no suspicion that he was hiding anything.
Trial continues today.