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The Director of Public Prosecution has applied before the Economic and Financial Crimes Court, for forfeiture to the State of 48 motor vehicles and real properties worth millions of Kwacha belonging to former President Edgar Lungu’s son, Dalitso Lungu.
An affidavit sworn to by investigations officer, Pardon Liuma, at the Zambia Police Service headquarters, revealed that Saloid Traders Limited, a company owned by Dalitso owns 48 motor vehicles of different brand all valued at K23,050,842.49.
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Liuma also submitted that the said company owned 8 properties scattered in Lusaka.
The other shareholder in the company is Matilda Likando Milinga.
The affidavit read in part:
“That out of the 48 motor vehicles, 12 were seized while the rest have only been restricted. That on May 18, 2022, I recorded a statement from Dalitso Lungu concerning the motor vehicles in question and he stated that, his company “Saloid Traders Limited owns the vehicles,” he said.
According to Dalitso, he bought some of the vehicles from Higher Bus at Makeni in Lusaka and others from Henred Frehaut .
Liuma stated from a statement given by Higher Bus Zambia limited general manager, Wu Ming, Dalitso bought two Shacman Trucks at US$220,400 and paid US$50,000 as down payment.
He said Dalitso and Higher Bus agreed he would pay the remaining balance of US$170,400 in monthly settlements of US$50,000 as per the credit sale agreement.
He said further investigations revealed that in January, 2021, Saloid Traders Limited bought two trucks at the cost of US$196,000 and Dalitso paid a down payment of US$50,000 and the balance was paid in full within three months.
“That the total cost which was paid in cash by Dalitso towards the purchase of the trucks was US$476,000 and there is an outstanding balance is US$40,000” he stated.
Liuma explained that Dalitso had also bought two motor vehicles from Sarago General Dealers at the cost of US$38,500 each and a total combined cost of US$77,000 which was paid in cash by Saloid Traders Limited.
In relation to real properties, one Lillian Rhoda Masuwa Mulusa told the investigations officer that in 2020, she sold bare land in Chibombo no.L/22383 to Dalitso at K400,000.
Liuma stated that a look into the company’s account held at Zanaco showed Dalitso as the sole signatory, and the closing balance as at September 14, 2022 for dollar account was US$677.05 while the closing balance for the Kwacha account was K173,320.07.
“That the total credit transactions for the Kwacha account during the period between December, 2019, to January,2022 was K32,981,966,” he said.
He said Saloid Traders Limited had leased a property in Jack Compund to Total Energies Limited for an agreed period of 10 years which commenced September 1,2018.
The parties agreed the annual lease rental of US$96,000 at US$8000 per month ,which rentals would be paid quarterly amounting to US$26,000 including tax.
Liuma said a total of US$362,399.95 had been paid to Saloid Traders Limited from the time they entered into an agreement.
He said investigations revealed that Dalitso had not submitted tax returns for the period 2017 to 2023.
The affidavit noted further: “That in 2020, the tax payable as declared by Saloid Traders Limited in the return was K11,118 on their assessable income of K31,765.70
Finally, it the DPP now seeks an order for the alleged tainted properties to be forfeited to the State, pursuant to Section 29 and 31 of the forfeiture of proceeds of Crime Act.
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