DPP SEEKS FORFEITURE TO THE STATE LT-GEN CHIMESE’S PROPERTIES
THE Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has applied to the Economic and Financial Crimes Court to have seized assets worth K91 million owned by former Zambia Air Force (ZAF) commander, Lieutenant General Eric Chimese, forfeited to the State for being tainted properties even after he had been acquitted.
The alleged tainted properties are subdivision of subdivision F/2303/Q 4th Street, Ibex Hill, Farm 4302/313 located in Eureka Baobab Area Musekese Drive in Lusaka, part of F/181a/C/1 Mungwi Road, Lusaka West, 10 by 49-inch Samsung Television sets, K48, 458, K90, 000, US$107, 100 pounds, 1 Yen and US$10, 000.
The estimated market value for subdivision F/2303/Q is K46, 600, 000, for farm 4301/313 is K22, 300, 000 and part of F/181a/C1 is K22, 500, 000.
This is according to an originating notice of motion for an application for Non-Conviction Based forfeiture order filed into the Economic and Financial Crimes Court, High Court division, January 31, 2024.
In an affidavit in support of the notice of motion, Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) Deputy Director, Lillian Mubialelwa, working under the Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit submitted that the cited properties are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime and liable for forfeiture to the State.
Ms Mubialelwa however admitted the fact that on May 22, 2023, the Subordinate Court acquitted Lt-Gen Chimese along with his co-accused James Chungu, the proprietor of Chita Lodge, of charges of abuse of office authority and money laundering charges.
She submitted that in July, 2018, she received classified information alleging that Lt-Gen Chimese, former ZAF Commander was in possession of properties reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.
Ms Mubialelwa submitted that nine apartments, a single-storey building, three-bedroom guest wing, a semi-detached servant's quarter and a swimming pool among other properties constructed on subdivision F/2303/Q 4.
She said a copy of Zesco customer application form for electricity supply, supply inquiry and notice of commencement form, a copy of NRC, sketch plan, nine quotations and payment receipts for the nine apartments were all found to be in the name of Eric Mwaba Chimese.
She also submitted that DEC conducted a search at the then former ZAF commander's home, and seized from him 10 by 49 inches Samsung full HD TV sets, K90, 000 and US$10, 000 and from his wife Sharon Gray Chimese K48, 458, 100.00 pounds, US$107.00 and 1 Yen.
She contended that the offences in Sections 21(1) (a) (b) and 36(b) of the Anti-Corruption Act no.3 of 2012 of the laws of Zambia and Sections 71 of the forfeiture of proceeds of crimes are serious offences, thus a proper case in which the court may order for forfeiture of the subject suspected tainted property.