Charity Katanga’s judgement postponed

THE Lusaka Magistrate Court has moved judgement date to February 19, 2024 in a case former Deputy Inspector General of Police, Charity Masambo Katanga pleaded not guilty to corrupt practices involving more than K26 million.

When the matter came up yesterday for judgement, Chief Resident Magistrate Davies Chibwili, the magistrate handling the matter said judgement was not ready as he was outside jurisdiction.

Mr Chibwili said he will instead deliver it on February 19, 2024.

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.

The matter is in relation with the 10 Higer buses which are allegedly to have been properties reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime.

In July last year, Mr Chibwili found Katanga with a case to answer and put her on defence.

In her defense, Katanga denied all the allegations stating that all her properties were acquired legitimately. Katanga said all the ten Higar buses which are alleged to be proceeds of crime are not proceeds of crime.

She further in her defense testified that she bought the buses on instalments and has all the necessary documents and receipts. Katanga also submitted that while she was in Ndola she engaged Higer buses as a senior police officer of fixed abode and entered into an agreement to purchase buses on credit.

She said the turn up was very flexible and she bought the buses which was paid instalments.

Meanwhile, Katanga’s uncle, Mr. Joseph Phiri, a businessman of Kabwe also told the court that his niece’s sources of income are legitimate.

Mr. Phiri testified that he lent Katanga K1.7 million from his two companies as a business executive.

And Mr. Albert Chibesa, who is managing buses for Katanga narrated to the court how he used to make overwhelming profit from the buses.

Mr. Chibesa told the court that he was engaged by Katanga to run her buses due to his experience in the transport industry and made incredible profits from the buses. Two other witnesses from Indo Zambia Bank and Stanbic Bank gave evidence to support Katanga’s case.