Court told ex-Home Affairs Minister, Kampyongo, earned K4.8 in salaries in 10 years, as govt probes K29 million assets

The Lusaka Magistrates’ Court heard on Tuesday that former Home Affairs Minister, Stephen Kampyongo, received emoluments amounting to K5.8 million from the National Assembly as a Member of Parliament from September 2011 to December 2021.

Mweemba Mungo, Director of Finance at the National Assembly, testified that these emoluments comprised salaries, gratuities and sitting allowances.

When shown a schedule indicating that Kampyongo received K4.8 million between September 2011 and July 2020, Mungo clarified that the schedule included only salaries, not sitting allowances and noted that the periods under review were different.

Kampyongo, Shiwa’ngandu MP and his wife, Wanziya Chirwa, face 12 counts of possession of property worth about K29 million, allegedly proceeds of crime, contrary to the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act Number 19 of 2010.

During cross-examination, Mungo confirmed that all payments were made electronically, with no exceptional circumstances warranting cash payments.

The defense requested an additional day to call at least one more witness, citing recent instructions after analyzing the evidence.

State prosecutor, Virginia Tembo did not object, acknowledging the accused’s right to a defense and expressing hope for a timely conclusion.

Magistrate Silvia Munyinya questioned the delay in calling the additional witness, to which the defense explained that the instructions were only recently received.

The magistrate granted the request but emphasized the need to avoid unnecessary extensions through thorough preparation.

The matter was adjourned to August 7.

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