ACC dismisses Faith Musonda’s allegations

THE Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has dismissed assertions by journalist Faith Musonda, that it had failed to discharge evidentiary burden to warrant the seizure of her properties.

It contended that the assertions that it was inflating the value of her properties in an attempt to justify their suspicion that the assets were illegitimately acquired, was devoid of merit.

ACC investigations officer, Ferguson Kombe, submitted that Ms Musonda was in possession of property reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime and the court should grant the order for non-based conviction forefeiture of the properties.

Mr Kombe contended that Ms Musonda had not provided evidence that the seized properties were not tainted.

He submitted that according to his investigations, Ms Musonda signed a contract of sale on behalf of the Sela Property Investments (second interested party) and also made payments towards the purchase of a farm in Chisamba being subdivision of farm no.F/1504.

"We reiterate our submission that we have demonstrated a balance of probabilities that all the interested parties are in possession of property reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime, we accordingly pray for an order that all the properties subject to these proceedings be forfeited to the State," ACC submitted.

Ms Musonda urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Court to dismiss ACC's application seeking a non-conviction based forefeiture to the state of her seized properties worth over K17 million suspected to be tainted.

She contended that the applicant's (ACC) case was devoid of merit and failed to establish any grounds for forfeiture.

Ms Musonda denied ownership of plot no. LUSAK/ in_24982/3 in Kingsland City, and stated that the transaction was not formalised.

"I must clarify that the assertion of purchasing the property for $180, 000 is inaccurate. While it is true that I initiated a transaction for the acquisition of this property, it is important to note that the transaction was not formalised due to financial constraints. Consequently, ownership of the property remains with the seller as the sale was not completed," she stated.

The interested party also denied having any properties hidden under the names of Chimuka and Miyanda Milambo.

Ms Musonda stated that she bought government bonds and Treasury Bills through an account with the Bank of Zambia with funds she obtained from the sale of one of her properties.