By GRACE CHAILE LESOETSA
CHISHIMBA Kambwili yesterday testified in court that he has been saving the US$160, 000 which was stolen from his surf since 2012.
Mr Kambwili said he discovered that his former employees, a police officer , Zambia Army officer and his daughter’s friend allegedly stole US$160, 000 from his safe that was in his matrimonial bedroom in November last year.
In this matter, nine people, who include five former domestic workers of Mr Kambwili, a student, a police officer, a soldier and a retired police officer, are facing charges of theft, which they all denied.
The five former workers are Rodney Muntanga, a 47-year-old house-boy; Esther Munyeka, a 29-year-old maid; George Bwalya, a driver, aged 49; Millan Chembe, a 35-year-old security guard and Charles Kamutengo, a 54-year-old gardener, all charged with theft by servant.
Stacey Jane Jones, a 23 year-old student who is also a friend to Mr Kambwili’s daughter Chanda; David Zimba, a 52-year-old retired police officer; Ian Kalunga, 38, a police officer and Jacob Sinadambwe, a 32-year-old soldier, are equally charged with theft.
In count one (theft charge), it is alleged that Stacey, Zimba, Kalunga and Sinadabwe between December 14, 2020 and December 27, 2020 in Lusaka, acting with others stole US$160, 000 cash, the property of Mr Kambwili.
In count two (theft by servant), it is alleged that Muntanga, Munyeka, Bwalya, Chembe and Kamutengo between December 14, 2020, and December 27, 2020 in Lusaka, with others, being persons employed by Mr Kambwili stole US $160, 000 cash, the property of the said employer.
When the matter came up yesterday, Mr Kambwili who is the first witness in the matter told the court that after he discovered that the money had been stolen, he pleaded with the accused persons to return it instead of them facing the courts. He explained the source of the US$160, 000 by stating the he was a business executive and politician who runs a number of companies including Mwamona Engineering Technical Services Limited.
He said the proceeds from businesses were deposited in their five accounts at Atlas Mara (former Finance Bank Zambia Limited) and one of the accounts was a dollar account.
Mr Kambwili explained that in the mining business, they were paid in dollars and were able to withdraw some of the monies in dollars and kept in his safe in his bedroom.
Trial continues on May 10, 2021.
