LUSAKA lawyer Mutemwa Mutemwa SC, his son and a police officer have pleaded not guilty to charges of theft involving US$800,000.
In this matter, Mutemwa Mutemwa, 62, a legal practitioner; Kayombo Mano, 42, a police officer and Mutemwa Mutemwa, 40, a legal practitioner are charged with theft.
In the first count, Mutemwa SC and Mutemwa Jnr are charged with theft contrary to section 272 of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia
Particulars of the offence allege that the duo, on October 19 in Lusaka, jointly and whilst acting together stole US$800,000, the property of Lishandu Chinjenge.
In the second count, Mano is charged with theft by servant contrary to section 272 and 277 of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offence allege that Mano on the same day, in Lusaka did steal US$800,000, property which came into his possession by virtue of his employment
The first and third accused persons are represented by Sakwiba Sikota, M.D Lisimba, Makebi Zulu and Jonas Zimba, while the second accused person is being represented by Lisimba, Kennedy Kaunda and Anthony Mwila.
The matter is being prosecuted by MC Chipawo and SM Besa, both state advocates from the National Prosecution Authority.
When the matter came up for plea before Chief Resident Magistrate Dominic Makaliche, Monday, the trio pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The matter has since been adjourned to November 23rd and 24th for commencement of trial.
Early last month, Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga disclosed that police were investigating a theft case in which US$800,000 was allegedly stolen by lawyers from a client.
He stated that Mutemwa junior disclosed under warn and caution that Mutemwa SC and Kayombo only got US$400,000 and not $800,000.
“Police in Lusaka are investigating a matter in which $800,000 is alleged to have been stolen by Mutemwa Mutemwa State Counsel, Mutemwa Mutemwa Junior both of Mutemwa Legal Practitioners and Detective Chief Inspector Mano Kayombo of Lusaka Central Police Station. The money is a property of Lloyd Chinjenge of House number 2415 Ibex Hill Lusaka. This occurred on 19th October 2021 in Salama Park area, Lusaka. Brief facts of the case are that on 19th October, 2021 police received information that Lloyd Chinjenge of the above address was in possession of an undisclosed amount of money on his premises believed to have been unlawfully obtained,” said Hamoonga.
“A search party of officers, among them Detective Chief Inspector Mano Kayombo was constituted to conduct searches on two premises belonging to Chinjenge in Salama Park and another in Ibex Hill. Both searches were witnessed by Mutemwa Jnr on behalf of Chinjenge. Not known to the rest of the search party, whilst the search was going on at the ibex hill premise, Mano and Mutemwa SC, who was instructed by Mutemwa Jnr to assist, went to the Salama Park residence and picked up two bags suspected to have contained the sought money from one of the motor vehicles belonging to Chinjenge on his instruction for safe custody. The incident was witnessed by an officer undercover who was left to keep vigil at the said residence. Police summoned Mutemwa Jnr and under warn and caution disclosed that Mutemwa SC and Mano got the money amounting to $400,000=00 and not $800,000=00. He has since been arrested for theft.”
