Mable Chanda maintains innocence

AMOS Chanda’s wife has narrated in her defence in the Lusaka magistrate court how she did not insult or obstruct any officer as she never took part in the search.

Mable Nakaundi Chanda said in October, 2021 she was at home when she saw her husband coming with a group of people. She asked where they were from and was told they were Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) officers who were there to conduct a search at her premises.

She said she was shocked as to why her husband and her sister were arrested because they never insulted or caused any obstruction to any of the officers.

“The officers came to search our house but I did not participate in the search as I only accompanied them to the bedroom. My husband is the one who took them to every room of the house, and I only went there to pack the papers which were left scattered,’’ she said.

She told the court she couldn’t recall any insults because there were no insults and any use of demeaning words.

In cross examination, ACC officer Daniel Ngwira asked if the officers went to another house within the yard after searching her house, she said she wouldn’t know because she remained in the house cooking.

“After they searched my house I never paid attention to where they went as I continued cooking . It was my husband who accompanied them,’’ she said.

Previously, court after analysing all the seven state witnesses’ testimonies, found Amos Chanda, his wife and sister-in-law with a case to answer and placed them on their defence.

Chanda was charged with one count of using insulting language contrary to Section 179 of Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia, and one count of obstruction Contrary to Section 63 (c) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012 while his wife and Nakaundi are jointly charged with one count of using insulting language and one count of obstruction.

Chief Resident magistrate Dominic Makalicha has set May 3 and 4, 2022 for continued defence.