One of the two men who allegedly forged Home Affairs Minister Steven Kampyongo’s signature on a work permit is still on the run.

Last week Lusaka Magistrate Faidess Hamaundu issued a bench warrant against Owen Shantumbu and Mambo Maluba for not appearing in court on charges of forgery, uttering of false documents and obtaining money by false pretenses.

But when the case was called the state only managed to bring Shantumbu under warrant as his co-accused was still at large.

Shantumbu had told the court that he was blocked by police officers who were manning the court premises with security dogs.

The accused also asked for any document to present to the officers whenever there is a treason case so that he is allowed entry.

Magistrate Hamaundu revoked the bench warrant against Shantumbu as the reasons he gave of not appearing in court that security was tight during the UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema’s treason case were valid.

”I take judicial notice of the treason case and in view of that, I revoke the bench warrant for accused person number one,” said Magistrate Hamaundu.

Meanwhile the court told Maluba’s surety to find the accused and avail him as it was her duty to do so.

This was after the surety told the court that Maluba was unreachable as all his mobile phones were off.

The case was adjourned to July 20, 2017 for return of bench warrant for Maluba.

Ever since the matter was taken to court, the accused have never been present as required as one was either absent or present.

According to the state, the accused have so far presented 6 sick notes for missing court.

Allegations are that between October 1 and 18, the duo made a false document with intent to defraud authorising the issuance of an arid permit purporting to show that it was genuinely signed by the minister when in fact not.

Shantumbu and Maluba are also accused of uttering a false document namely a work permit to Mahmood Muffakahar, a South African national.

They further obtained K12,500 from Muffakahar by falsely pretending that they had a genuine work permit when in fact not.