By CHARLES MUSONDA
THE Lusaka Magistrates’ Court has set May 24, 2021 as date for judgement in a case National Democratic Congress (NDC) leader Chishimba Kambwili is facing one count of contempt of court. Kambwili is charged for allegedly tampering with evidence relating to Mwamona Engineering and Technical Services (METS) Limited at Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA).
This was in a matter for which then Principal Resident Magistrate David Simusamba sentenced Kambwili to two years imprisonment with hard labour for forgery and uttering false documents but the former Roan member of Parliament has appealed his conviction and sentence to the High Court.
Particulars of offence are that on March 6, 2018 in Lusaka, Kambwili caused an obstruction or disturbance in the course of judicial proceedings by lodging documents at PACRA to alter details and records of METS, which were subject of active judicial proceedings. It is also alleged that the changes made were particulars of two directors Mwamba Chishimba and Carol Chansa, of which Mwamba Chishimba was changed to Mwamba Kambwili and Carol Chansa to Carol Chansa Chipande. Kambwili was put on his defence last December by Lusaka Magistrate Nsunge Chanda.
In his defence yesterday, Kambwili said he was extremely shocked when he was charged with contempt of court. He said he has never been to PACRA in person to lodge any documents relating to METS and that the lodging of the documents was done by management, adding that he was just a board chairman. In cross examination, deputy chief State Advocate Margaret Chitundu asked Kambwili when the said changes were made at PACRA but he said he did not know Ms. Chitundu then put it to him that according to the document before court, the changes which were made were filed on March 6, 2018.
She also asked Kambwili whether he agreed with her that he first appeared before Magistrate Simusamba on March 6, 2018. In response Kambwili said he could not remember the first day he appeared before Mr. Simusamba because it was almost three years ago. Further asked whether he agreed with her that the material which was allegedly changed at PACRA affected the charges which he was facing before Magistrate Simusamba, Kambwili denied.
