Trial of ex-revenue boss, Chanda, suffers delay as consent for prosecution still awaited

Ex-Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) Director General, Kingsley Chanda, and ex-Director of Administration, Calistus Kaoma, on Wednesday could not take plea at the Lusaka magistrate court on grounds that consent to prosecute the matter by Director of public prosecution (DPP) was not ready.

This was after Stephen Mainza, a prosecutor from the National Prosecution Authority (NPA), informed the court that the matter was coming up for plea but could, however, not proceed.

Mainza submitted that the order of the court to the state to drop the charge of abuse of authority and amend the indictment was not complied with because consent from the Director of public prosecution was not ready.

“The DPP is out of the country to enable the state to carry out full procedure, we are applying for an adjournment,” he submitted.

Previously, principal magistrate Sylvia Munyinya dropped the charge of abuse of authority against Chanda and Kaoma on grounds that counts 12 and 13 particulars and details of the two counts were similar.

This was after the accused’s lawyer, James Matarilo, raised a preliminary issue before the accused could take plea in all the counts that the court should order the state to amend its charge sheet in relation to counts 12 and 13 because the particulars and details of the two counts were similar.

In this matter, Chanda and Kaoma are charged with wilful failure to comply with procedure relating to the manner they disposed 22 used motor vehicles belonging to the commission and abuse of authority.

Particulars allege that Chanda and Kaoma between January, 14, 2017 and December, 31, 2020 in Lusaka did wilfully fail to comply with the applicable law and procedure relating to the disposal of property in the manner they disposed a motor vehicle namely, Mitsubish Pajero bearing registration number ABR 9683, Mitsubish Pajero bearing registration number ABL 3751, Toyota Hilux bearing registration number ABM 8166 and Toyota Hilux bearing registration number ABM 8166.

Others are Mitsubish Pajero bearing registration number ABL 3753, Mitsubish Pajero bearing registration number ABL 3851, Mitsubish Pajero bearing registration number AIM 987, Mitsubishi Pajero bearing registration number ABR 9679, Toyota Hilux bearing registration number ALC 9120, Toyota Hilux bearing registration number ALC 9123, Toyota Prado bearing registration number ABV 2201 , Mitsubish Pajero bearing registration number ABL 2465 and Mitsubish Pajero bearing registration number ABR 9684, the property of ZRA.

The court has since adjourned the matter to August 28, 2023 for plea.

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