Court to hear Chimese pay in camera

LUSAKA Magistrate Nsunge Chanda says she will hear in chambers evidence on emoluments for Zambia Air Force (ZAF) Commander Eric Chimese.

The evidence is scheduled to come from ZAF director in charge of salaries and pensions under the finance department, Colonel Bernard Chileshe.

Ms. Chanda however said yesterday that disclosure of the emoluments is not classified information as argued by the defence.

Chimese is charged with Chita Lodges and Resort director James Chungu over alleged abuse of authority of office relating to ownership of nine flats and some other properties in Ibex Hill and Lilayi.

At the last hearing the State called Col Chileshe as its 17th witness to lay evidence on Chimese’s earning but the defence objected and argued that their client’s earnings were classified information.

In response the State argued that the disclosure of Chimese's emoluments would not affect State security in any way.

Deputy Chief State advocate Gamaliel Zimba submitted that Chimese’s emoluments do not fall under classified information which could threaten State security.

Mr Zimba said section four of the State Security Act which the defence relied on in their objection was cited out of context.

He submitted that in line with the Presidential Emoluments Act, the head of State’s emoluments are in public domain.

He said Chimese’s personal emoluments do not go anywhere near what the State Security Act seeks to protect.

But Chimese’s lawyers Kelvin Bwalya, Mark Haimbe, and Kebby Wishimanga objected to presentation of evidence relating to Chimese’s emoluments.

They argued that evidence regarding Chimese’s salary, pension benefits and emoluments was classified information which could not be presented in court without clearance from President Edgar Lungu.

This was after Col Chileshe testified that in May last year, he was assigned to compute personal emoluments and benefits accrued to Chimese.