TWO Lusaka siblings, Chansa and Kelly Kapijimpanga, have taken fresh plea in the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court and denied the charge of theft by director in a case in which they are accused of stealing over K52,000 belonging to a company.

The two took fresh plea after the prosecution substituted the initial charge sheet with another one.

In this matter, Chansa Kapijimpanga 48, and Kelly Davies Kapijimpanga 40, both directors are charged with one count of theft by director.

Particulars of the offence allege that between December 21, 2019 and March 10, 2020 in Lusaka, the two jointly and whilst working together, being directors of Seal Six Squad Services Limited, stole money amounting to K52,480 cash, the property of the said company.

And when the matter came up before magistrate Alice Walusiku for commencement of trial yesterday, State prosecutor Lewis Kandele informed the court that the State had an application to have the indictment before court substituted, which application was granted.

After the indictment was substituted, the accused persons took fresh pleas of not guilty.

But when Kandele was about to call the first witness, defence lawyer Gilbert Phiri applied for an adjournment to enable him to get further instructions.

He added that he also had another matter before another magistrate and requested for an adjournment to a nearest date.

But Kandele objected to the application for an adjournment saying it was aimed at delaying the matter.

However, in her ruling magistrate Walusiku said the application for an adjournment by Phiri was reasonable and granted the adjournment to a nearest date.

The matter comes up on November 25, 2020 for commencement of trial.