FINDLAY SLAMS RAIDS – AS INVESTIGATIVE WINGS CONTINUE SEARCHING HIS PROPERTIES
By SIMON MUNTEMBA
LUSAKA businessman and friend to former President Edgar Lungu, Valden Findlay has condemned the continued raids and searching of his private properties by the investigative wings.
Mr Findlay has also condemned the malicious reports that huge sums of money were found at his home, with some allegedly stolen by a police officer, saying those were lies aimed at tarnishing his reputation.
A joint investigative team of security wings on Saturday raided his house in New Kasama and yesterday raided his farm in Chisamba.
He told the Daily Nation that despite being advised by his lawyers not to, the investigative wings went ahead to illegally search his home in his absence.
“Yes, I can confirm that a search was carried out by relevant Government authorities at my private residence. I, however, take issue with the legality of the search, which was conducted in my absence and despite the officers being advised by my lawyers that this was illegal, they proceeded anyway,” Mr Findlay said.
Mr Findlay however, said as far as he was concerned, he had not committed any crime for him to be subjected to such kind of illegal searches and ridicule.
“I would like to emphasise that I have not committed any crime, but have been judged, found guilty and condemned in the public domain, my silence has been taken advantage of,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Findlay’s lawyer, Jonas Zimba of Makebi Zulu Advocates who condemned the illegal search, confirmed that the security wings have continued to search his client’s private properties with impunity.
Mr Zimba, who was hesitant to say more said the security wings extended their illegal search at Mr Findlay’s farm house in Chisamba area.
“I am his lawyer, so I wouldn’t want to comment further. But they have actually gone to his farm in Chisamba today. They are searching his house in Chisamba as I speak to you just right now. I told them that what they are doing is illegal but as regards to the extent of illegality, you will see the action will shall take when we file in a complaint,” Mr Zimba said. Mr Findlay also complained that some desperate individuals who wanted to see his name tarnished have resorted to publish unsubstantiated allegations that money was found at his home during the search when it was all lies.
He warned the citizens to avoid engaging in such baseless rumours which has the potential of destroying innocent people’s lives.
“Today, no shred of evidence to substantiate any of the allegations published has been brought forth. The recent story of money allegedly found at my residence with a police officer on the run and my having paid a bribe is all lies,” he said.
Mr Findlay urged respective authorities to correct the position by issuing a public statement to clear the air on such negative publicity and cyber bullying meant to injure not only his reputation but also that of the Zambia Police Service.
Mr Findlay also urged media practitioners to be responsibly by reporting on factual news to avoid misleading the public, said society has been indoctrinated to believe anything that has been published.
On Saturday, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) public relations officer Jonathan Siame who confirmed the matter said the search was in relation to ongoing investigations whose details he could not reveal.
Mr Siame said he could not give more details for fear of jeopardisinginvestigations.
He however said more details would be availed to the public at an appropriate time. The joint investigative team comprises the ACC, Drug Enforcement Commission, Financial Intelligence Centre, and Zambia Police Service.
