K91 million properties not proceeds of crime, former ZAF commander tells Financial Crimes Court

Former Zambia Air Force (ZAF) commander, Eric Chimese, has denied allegations that his properties, worth K91 million, were acquired through proceeds of crime.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had applied to the Financial Crimes Court to forfeit the properties, which included a farm in the Eureka Baobab area and other assets valued at K91,400,000.

Chimese opposed the application, arguing that the properties were acquired and built at fair value and that the DPP’s valuation reports reflect only the current market value, not the value at the time of construction.

“Particularly, in relation to property F/2303/Q, the applicant (DPP) has admitted that the said property is registered under Chita Lodges Limited, whose ownership was acquired long before I became the General at ZAF. Furthermore, I have never been in possession of or purchased this property from Chita Lodges Limited,” Chimese contended.

Chimese also claimed that the DPP withheld a statement from a key witness that could have aided the court in determining whether the alleged ZAF employees were absent from duty.

“The applicant has not produced a statement from ZAF human resources to show that the government lost man hours or that the said employees were absent from work,” he submitted.

Chimese insisted the properties were not tainted.

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