Developing Story: Sister-in-law to ex-Lusaka Province Minister, Lusambo, to appear in court for alleged forgery

The Lusaka Magistrates Court has found ex-Lusaka Province Minister, Bowman Lusambo’s sister in law, Patience Manase, with a case to answer and has since placed her on defense.

Manase who is also a former student at the University of Zambia (UNZA) pleaded not guilty to seven counts of forgery of a School Certificate and uttering false documents, as well as obtaining pecuniary advantage in the form of salaries and allowances amounting to K429, 972.68.

When the matter came up for ruling on case or no case to answer, magistrate Irene Wishimanga ruled that a prima facie case had been established and consequently placed the accused person on defence.

“The prosecution evidence has established a prima facie case to warrant the accused to be placed on her defence. I found the accused with a case to answer. I accordingly place the accused on her defense and her right to be explained, “court ruled.

Manase, through her lawyer, informed the court that she would give sworn evidence and will bring two witnesses.

It is alleged in count one that Manase between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2018, in Lusaka with intent to defraud or deceive, jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, did without authority, make a document namely the Joint Examination for School Certificate and GOB.

In count two, Manase between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2018, in Lusaka jointly and whilst acting together with other’s unknown did knowingly and fraudulently utter a false document namely, the Joint Examination for School Certificate and GCE to the University of Zambia, purporting to have been made by the Examination Council of Zambia when in fact not.

In count three, Manase on between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2018 in Lusaka jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, with intent to deceive or defraud, did without authority make a false document namely, the General Certificate of Education.

In count four, Manase is between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2018, in Lusaka jointly and whist acting together with other persons unknown, did knowingly and fraudulently utter a false document namely the General Certificate of Education to the University of Zambia purporting to have been made by the Examination Council of Zambia when in fact not.

In count five, between January, 1, 2011 and October 1, 2019, in Lusaka jointly and whist acting together with other persons unknown, with intent to deceive or defraud, did without authority make a document namely, the Joint Examination for School Certificate and GCE purporting to have been made by the Examination Council of Zambia when in fact not.

In count six, it is alleged that Manase between January 1, 2011 and October 1, 2019 in Lusaka jointly and whist acting together with other person’s unknown, did knowingly and fraudulently utter a false document namely the General Certificate of Education to the Zambia Electricity Supply Company (ZESCO) purporting to have been made by the Examination Council of Zambia when in fact not.

And in the last count, Manase between July 1, 2016 and October 1, 2019, in Lusaka did dishonestly obtain for herself self-pecuniary advantage in the sum K426, 972, 68 in form of salaries from the Zambia Electricity Supply Company (ZESCO) when she was employed on the pretext that she qualified for the position of Assistant Call Centre Agent when in fact not.

The court has since set May 19, 2023 as date for commencement of defence.

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