CHARITY KATANGA BOUGHT 10 HIGER BUSES - WITNESS

AWITNESS has told the Economic and Financial Crimes court that former Deputy Inspector General of Police Charity Masambo Katanga bought ten buses from Higer Bus Company limited which she paid more than U $1.4 million.

Higer Buses Limited General Manager, Mr. Win Ming told the court that despite being a very good client, Katanga is still owing him U$150,000.

Mr. Ming testified that Katanga made two bank transfers but the rest of the payments were cash transfers.

Mr. Ming was testifying in a matter in which Katanga is facing one count of possession of property reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime contrary to section 71(1) of the forfeiture of the proceeds of crime Act No. 19 of 2010 of the laws of Zambia.

He submitted before chief resident magistrate Davies Chibwili that the company entered into a contract with Katanga through her company called Chibeka Express to buy buses from his company.

Mr. Ming further testified that Katanga had bought the buses for her transport business and made several payments to the company for the purchase of the buses.

“Anytime Katanga made payments I could issue her with receipts of payment.

0n October 21, 2017 she was issued with invoice 3844 with amount of U$30,000 and another invoice of 3853 on December 4,2017 with an amount of 49,000 U$cash.

On April 28,2018 Katanga was issued with invoice 3887 amounting to U$143,000, On October 30,2018 invoice 4918 amounting U$50,000 was given, on November 30,2018 was issued with invoice 4920 amounting to U$50,000 on April 26, was issued with U$100,000 under invoice 4941,” he said.

And a Senior Accountant at Zambia Police Mr. Clement Tembo senior narrated that Katanga’s Net pay in January 2017 was K24, 452.71 at the time she was fired on November 30, 2021.

Mr. Tembo said Katanga’s earnings for housing allowances, sports fund, Nhima, thrift, amounted to K42, 557.67.

“There was a letter written to the police by Drug Enforcement commission (DEC) requesting for the emoluments earned by Katanga between January 2017 until December 2021. We have a unit called PEMEC and we are able to access payroll information through the system

I requested for a printout of the pay slips for the period under review.” He said.

It is alleged that Katanga between January 1, 2017 and June 6, 2022 in Lusaka jointly and whilst acting together with other person’s unknown did possess ten Higer buses with Motor Vehicle registration numbers BAF 8518 ZM, BAF 5119 ZM, BAG 8558 ZM, BAG 8559 ZM, BAG 8733 ZM and BAJ 2476 ZM. Others are BAJ 2590 ZM, BAJ 2919 ZM, BAJ 2590 ZM, BAJ 2919 ZM, BAV 2931 ZM and BAL 9126 ZM all together

Valued at k26, 282,770.00, property reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime.

The court adjourned the matter to June 6, for continued trial.