By LUCY PHIRI
THE Court has added more counts to the charges against former President Edgar Lungu’s Special Assistant for Economics Hibeene Mwiinga, his wife and son of possession of property valued at over K41 million and over US$238, 900 cash suspected to be proceeds of crime.
This was after the state submitted an amended indictment to the court in which 20 more counts have been added to the 46 counts which the accused were facing.
State prosecutor, Edwin Mbewe said since the court has added more charges, the accused persons are now facing 66 counts of being in possession of properties reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.
All the three pleaded not guilty to all counts after magistrate Irene Wishimanga read the charges to them.
In this matter, Mwiinga, 60, of Mwembeshi area in Lusaka is charged with his son Hakaantu Mwiinga aged 33 and wife Mercy Mwenda aged 56 for being in possession of properties reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime contrary to Section 71 of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act No. 19 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia.
The properties include a house in Kingsland City, which Mwiinga bought for cash at US$600, 000 and five houses in Silverest Gardens all valued at over K4.3 million.
Others include a double storey flat in NAPSA Housing Complex in Ibex Hill valued at K1.5 million and are two properties in Chililabombwe valued at K2.1 million.
Mwiinga is also in possession of seven motor vehicles among them a Mercedes Benz, Jeep Cherokee, Isuzu D-Max, a FAW truck and two trailers, all valued at over K1.4 million.
And his wife Mwenda is also involved with possessing 11 vehicles valued at K1.2 million and for being in possession of a property in Salama Park valued at over US$ 20,000.
Hakaantu is involved with possession of nine vehicles valued at K680, 000 and a property in Silverest Gardens valued at US$50,000.
The allegations are said to have happened between January 1, 2015 and September 30, 2021.
The court adjourned the matter to October 19, for commencement of trial.
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