Trial in a matter in which a Kalinganga man is accused of breaking into High Court judge Sunday Bwalya Nkonde’s house and stealing property worth over K55,000 could not commence yesterday as the police officer with exhibits is on leave.

In this matter, Afelo Banda is charged with one count of burglary and theft.

Particulars of the offence allege that on July 18 this year in Lusaka, Banda with intent to steal, broke and entered into the dwelling house of Sunday Bwalya Nkonde, and stole from there K20,000 cash, a judiciary HP laptop Note Book by make valued at K8,000, three wrist watches worth US$2,700, two blue De Channel perfumes valued at US$200 and a set of Wahl deluxe shaving kit valued at K550, all together valued at K55,594, the property of Sunday Bwalya Nkonde.

When the matter came up for trial before Chief resident magistrate Lameck Mwale, Tuesday, Public Prosecutor Pepulani Mbewe told the court that the State had brought witnesses but was unable to proceed into trial because exhibits were still in the custody of the officer-in-charge who was on leave.

But magistrate Mwale wondered whether things should be at stand-still if the officer-in-charge was on leave.

In response, Mbewe said the prosecution needed to put its house in order regarding custody of the exhibits and applied that the matter be adjourned to a later date.

Magistrate Mwale then adjourned the matter to October 21 this year, for trial and urged the prosecution to put its house in order to avoid adjournments.

Meanwhile, a State witness has told the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court that Zambia Air Force colonel Dexter Maseka who denied knowing former ZAF Commander Lieutenant General Eric Chimese Chimese’s property in another court, was his supervisor at the said property.

In this matter, Maseka, a 43-year-old procurement officer of Chamba valley has been charged with one count of Perjury.

Particulars of the offence allege that on July 9, 2019 in Lusaka, Maseka gave false information to Magistrate Nsunge Chanda that he knew nothing relating to the alleged Eric Mwaba Chimese properties situated in Ibex along twin palm road when in fact not.

And when the matter came up for trial before magistrate Alice Walusiku, Tuesday, Mubita Kanyanta told the court that he was a caretaker at Chimese’s property and that Maseka was his supervisor.

He said he was approached by a Pelekelo Muyunda who informed him about some work in Ibex Hill.

Kanyanta said Maseka took over as the supervisor at the property in 2014.

At this point, Maseka, through his lawyer, asked for an adjournment but before granting the adjournment, magistrate Walusiku expressed displeasure with the little progress made in the matter.

She urged the State and defence to ensure that there was progress on the set date.

Maseka was a State witness in a matter in which Chimese, his wife Sharon and Chita Lodge Limited managing director James Chungu, are charged with five counts of abuse of authority and money laundering in relation to the properties in Ibex Hill and Lilayi.

In his testimony before magistrate Chanda, Maseka had denied knowing any property belonging to Chimese.

He told the court that on January 7, 2019, he was summoned by officers from the Anti Money Laundering Unit of DEC who were inquiring on the properties owned by Chimese.

Maseka said he told the officers that he did not know of any property belonging to Chimese as he only interacted with him over the construction of a banquet hall at Chamba Valley ZAF Mess.