Former PF lawmaker, Lusambo, testifies about his wealth, denies wrongdoing

Former PF Kabushi Member of Parliament, Bowman Lusambo, has taken the stand in court, defending his wealth and denying allegations of financial misconduct.

Lusambo and his wife, Nancy, face charges related to concealing property suspected to be proceeds of crime, tax evasion and conspiracy to defraud.

Lusambo testified about his comfortable lifestyle prior to entering politics, claiming to have accumulated significant assets between 2014 and 2015.

He detailed owning multiple vehicles, including three Mercedes-Benz cars, a Toyota Prado and a Camry, as well as acquiring a house and land in Chamba Valley.

Lusambo stated he bought a house for K75,000 in 2015 and a plot from Washington Zimba for the same amount, on which he built a family home between 2012 and 2019.

In court, Lusambo explained that his wealth was generated through legitimate business ventures.

He described his previous employment as a sales consultant at Carnival Furnitures, where he earned a fixed salary of K2,500 plus a five percent commission, with monthly earnings often reaching K18,000.

At Cash Crusaders, his salary was K10,000 plus a 7.5 percent commission, resulting in monthly earnings of around K35,000.

Lusambo insisted he had paid taxes on his properties and disputed the state’s claims, including a K5,000 payment for a title deed for a property in Masaiti, which he later sold.

The court also heard about Lusambo’s dealings with ZDA-Henan Gouji Development Company, including a US$100,000 purchase agreement for properties in Silverest Gardens Housing Complex.

Lusambo denied receiving any correspondence from Masaiti City Council about a 2017 property acquisition, asserting that he had followed proper procedures.

The court allowed the prosecution to examine a document from Henan Gouji ZDA supporting Lusambo’s defense, showing multiple deposits for the Silverest Gardens properties.

Defense attorney Likando Kalaluka challenged the state’s charges, pointing out inconsistencies in the testimony of state witness Mbachi Nkwazi.

Lusambo’s wife, Nancy, who is also charged, was claimed by Lusambo to be uninvolved in his transactions.

The trial would resume on September 9, 2024, with the prosecution expected to call additional witnesses, including a permanent secretary, to bolster their case.

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