KASANDA DROPS BOMBSHELL IN COURT

…IMPLICATES SEVFYANJI SINKALA, THE LAWYER FOR PRESIDENT HICHILEMA IN THE 2017 TREASON TRIAL AND ZAMBIA AIRPORTS CORPORATION LIMITED CHAIRMAN, ACCUSES HIM OF DEMANDING US$3 MILLION TO SECURE THE RELEASE OF ALL THE 11 SUSPECTS IN THE GOLD SCANDAL

BY LUCY PHIRI 

SHADRECK Kasanda, one of the 11 suspects in the gold and US$5.6 million heist yesterday dropped a bombshell after he fingered Sevfyanji Sinkala, President Hakainde Hichilema’s lawyer in the 2017 treason trial and the current chairman of the Zambia Airports Corporation Limited as the man who demanded US$3 million to facilitate the release of all the suspects, five of whom are Egyptians.

Mr Sevfyanji Sinkala is President Hichilema’s lawyer who represented the head of State in his 2017 treason trial and according to Kasanda, is the man who went to Kamwala Remand Prison and allegedly demanded US$3 million in exchange for the release of the gold suspects. 

 Mr Sinkala is a Partner of the ZS Legal Practitioners. 

Meanwhile, Kasanda has disclosed in the Lusaka Magistrate Court that the total number of the suspects in the raging gold and cash scandal was supposed to be 15 but that the state had decided to hide four of those who were also involved.

Kasanda yesterday narrated that on Wednesday, around 11:30 hours at Kamwala Remand Prison, he, along with the other ten gold and cash suspects were called to the reception where they met Mr Sinkala who allegedly demanded US$3 million to secure their release.

And immediately after Kasanda made the allegations, Mr Sinkala stood up and identified himself as a friend of the court and immediately countered whatever Kasanda was saying.

“I am a friend of the court. I have sat on this court to appreciate the proceedings. The gentleman mentioned my name that I visited him and demanded for money from him. I feel duty bound to dispute the lies from this gentleman,” Sinkala submitted.

But Kasanda in his submission said: “Yesterday around 11:30 at Kamwala remand prison, we were all called to the reception and we all left. We met a Gentleman called Mr Sevfyanji. He called me while I was seated with A4. He said he was not comfortable talking whilst I was around. He said we should give him US$3 million for us to be released.

And Kasanda stirred emotions in court when he broke down as he narrated how was abducted by Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) officers and taken to Frist National Bank (FNB) ATM from Lusaka Magistrate Court holding cells demanding that they be given K5 million or he would have to rot in jail as more charges would be slapped on him. Kasanda said the DEC officers told him that he was being difficult to remove the money and demanded that he be taken to be tortured.

Kasanda narrated that after he resisted, the DEC officers dragged him back to prison with his co-accused and told them to pay US$10 million to be released before they charge him with the offence of armed robbery.

“The DEC officers said I was being difficult to remove the money so I should be taken to be tortured,” he said.

On Wednesday, Makebi Zulu, the Attorney for Kasanda disclosed that his client was allegedly abducted by State agents at the Magistrate Court, just hours before he could appear in court.

Mr Zulu told journalists at the Magistrate Court that Kasanda had become a targeted victim of the State after he had allegedly named and shamed some State House personnel involved in the now infamous gold and cash scandal. 

This is a matter in which Kasanda is facing the charge of Espionage together with five other Zambians and five Egyptians after a foiled gold transaction.

When the matter came up yesterday for response from the DEC officer before Chief resident magistrate Davies Chibwili, the State informed the court that accused number six (Kasanda) was present.

When Kasanda was called to give his side of story, he shockingly testified that a Ms. Lydia Chisanga, a DEC officer in charge at Lusaka magistrate court cells called him and told him that his relatives wanted to see him outside.

“She opened the cells and we followed each other. She escorted me. She was present when I was escorted and there was no paramilitary officers but only DEC officers by the names of Isaac Daka, Sydney Mukelabai, Mavin Kanganja and Anderson. Others are tall I can recognize them when I see them,” Kasanda said. The 11 accused persons includes the chief executive officer of Mahogany air Jim Belemu, Managing Director – ZamQlik Solutions Limited and Chairperson of the Bene Mukuni Traditional Ceremony Organising Committee -Mulungu Oswald Diangamo.

Other accused are Patrick Kawanu Jnr, a pilot of Zambia Skyways, Robinson Moonga-Zambia Police Airport Commander, Francis Mateyo a former professional basketballer, ICT Expert and recently employed under State House and five Egyptians.

Magistrate Chibwili has set September 1, 2023 for ruling on whether the contempt was committed from the scenario and who committed it.

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