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Former Mines and Minerals Development Minister, Richard Musukwa, has sued the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) for what he has described as illegal seizure of his properties in Chingola District on the Copperbelt Province and Lusaka.
In a petition to the Lusaka High Court, Musukwa believes that the actions by the Drug Enforcement Commission was illegal as no search warrant was issued to him by the officers who went to conduct the raid both at his farm house and other properties.
The DEC last week raided Mr Musukwa’s several properties including his lodge and house in Chililabombwe District on the Copperbelt, his flats in New Kasama in Lusaka and seized them, including several motor vehicles.
Addressing a media briefing in Lusaka on Saturday, Musukwa said the UPND government must stop harassing people perceived to be their political rivals and stop assuming that everyone who has properties acquired them corruption in the previous regime.
Musukwa said the raid at his house and other properties is a shameless undertaking by President Hakainde Hichilema-led government which will not yield any positive results as long as it is based on harassment and vengeance.
“I have worked for in exccess of 30years, this a shameless undertaking, joining politics was a call to service after I was approached by former late president Rupiah Banda in 2011 and ever since I have served in various positions such as Deputy Minister, full Cabinet Minister,” he said.
Musukwa said last year he was approached by the law enforcement officers who inquired about his properties but later closed the matter and assured him that he can continue enjoying his wealth but he is surprised that they have come back to inquire on the same issue.
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“I have challenged this matter in the High Court through a petition in which I want the Drug Enforcement Commission to give me back my properties because most of them were built before I joined politics such as the house and lodge in Chingola which have been seized by politically charged officers from DEC,” he said.
Musukwa said the UPND government must stop harassing people perceived to be their political enemies and concentrate on delivering on its promises of lowering the cost of fertiliser, mealie meal, and stabilizing the volatile local currency.
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