Chilufya earned K22m, court hears
HEALTH Minister Dr Chitalu Chilufya had over K22 million in earnings from employment and business-related income by February 2020, the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court heard yesterday.
HEALTH Minister Dr Chitalu Chilufya had over K22 million in earnings from employment and business-related income by February 2020, the Lusaka Magistrate's Court heard yesterday.
This is in a case in which Chilufya is facing four charges for possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime contrary to the laws of Zambia. He is appearing before Lusaka Chief Resident Magistrate Lameck Mwale.
Testifying as first state witness, ACC investigator Chipampe Chipili Manda, 34, of Chelstone in Lusaka said in December 2019, they received a report of suspected crime involving Chilufya. During investigations the ACC made inquiries from the National Assembly and PMEC to establish the earnings for Dr Chilufya.
Mr Manda said according to a response from National Assembly, Chilufya was from November 2013, to December 2019 paid K7m in allowances, while through PMEC, he earned slightly above K3m from 2013 to February, 2020.
The witness also told the court that during investigations, it was established that Chilufya earned over K12m from his interests in a company called Henry Court Yard Zambia Limited.
He said Chilufya was a shareholder in several companies including in Henry Court Yard Limited, Henry Construction and Hardware,
Henry Court Yard Travel and Tours, Samfya Marines and Tourism Services Zambia Limited and other companies.
Earlier, in the morning when the case was called, ACC director Cliff Moonga applied to court that the matter be stood down for two hours to allow them prepare their witnesses.
However, the defence lawyers, Mr Tutwa Ngulube and Mr Jonas Zimba objected stating that it appeared the state was fishing which they described as an illegality. The defence said Chilufya was arrested three months ago which meant that they were ready to proceed to prosecute the matter and not asking for adjournments. In his ruling, magistrate Mwale granted the prosecution's application and stood down the matter to 11:30 hours.
"It's only fair that the State is given time to prepare their witness. It's commonly said that justice delayed is justice denied and the flip side is that justice hurried is justice denied," said the magistrate. Trial continues.