A 43-year-old man has been dragged to court for allegedly swindling Zambia Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) secretary general Cosmas Mukuka out of K2,000 cash by falsely pretending it was meant to refuel a motor vehicle on Presidential duties.

Japhet Kalaba Mwelwe, a coordinator of farm 215A Mumbwa, is also charged with attempt to obtain money by false pretences.

It is alleged in the first count that Mwelwe on March 26 in Lusaka, with intent to deceive or defraud attempted to obtain K2,000 from Wilson Shane by falsely pretending that it was meant to refuel a motor vehicle on Presidential duties.

And in the second count, Mwelwe is alleged to have on the same date and with intent to deceive or defraud, obtained K2,000 cash from Mukuka by falsely pretending that it was meant for refuel of a motor vehicle on Presidential duties.

The accused however pleaded not guilty before Lusaka magistrate Albert Mwaba in both counts.

Trial in the matter has already commenced and is coming up for continued hearing on June 12, 2019.

Mwelwe was granted bail of K20,000 in own recognizance and was further ordered to provide two working sureties from reputable organisations and resident in Lusaka.

The two sureties are bound in the like sum each but in their own recognizance.

It is alleged that Mwelwe, who claimed to have been a PF member, approached Mukuka and got K2,000 by using the name of the party and that of the leadership.

Mwelwe also approached the Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company where he attempted to get K2,000 by using the name of the President but the company was suspicious and investigated the same and established that he was actually lying.