Former Copperbelt commissioner sues state over seized vehicle

FORMER Copperbelt police commissioner Mary Tembo has sued the State demanding for the immediate release of her motor vehicle seized by the Zambia Police Service on allegations that it was stolen.

Ms Tembo wants the Lusaka High Court to declare and order that she is a bonafide purchaser for value of motor vehicle , white Toyota Dyna with Engine No. 3Y-098296 and Chassis no.YU60-0021227.

And also that the court should declare that she is the beneficial owner of the said vehicle and therefore entitled to register it in her name as well as damages for wrongful seizure of her vehicle.

Ms Tembo also seeks a declaration that any purported or actual seizure of the vehicle by the Police or their agents is illegal and wrongful, therefore void ab initio.

Ms Tembo stated that on October 1,

2011, the secretary of the board of Survey for Copperbelt Province under the office of the President informed wrote to her that the board had considered her bid to purchase the Toyota Dyna.

And she was granted authority to buy the vehicle. In 2013, she purchased the vehicle for the sum of K6, 700 and was issued with a Zambian receipt no. G 3771564.

To facilitate the change of ownership, she saw to the preparation of documents from the Anti- Theft of Motor Vehicle from Zambia Police in Ndola among other papers.

However, on December 16, 2020, the said vehicle was seized by

Deputy Inspector Chulu and Assistant Superintendent Uyoya from her son , Friday Zulu. “According to the search warrant and statement signed by the officers, the vehicle was stated to have been stolen and carried out of the Zambia Police service,” she stated.