By LUCY PHIRI
LUSAKA Chief Resident Magistrate Dominic Makalicha has expressed shock at the manner in which the Drug Enforcement commission (DEC) handled the matter of former Deputy Inspector General of Police Charity Katanga.
In this matter, Katanga is charged with being in possession of property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime valued at over $2 million and K1.5 million.
When the matter came up yesterday for allocation and possible plea, the defence team being represented by Jonas Zimba of Makebi Zulu Advocates told the court that they were ready to proceed with the matter but the state was not present before the court.
Mr Zimba also informed the court that there was no charge sheet and the matter was not yet before the court.
Mr Makalicha said he was equally disappointed in the manner the state handled the matter. “The state cannot keep the court waiting and not bring the charge sheet.
“The state is making me start waiting which is not normal and this is strange because it cannot keep the court waiting, and please inform me when you are ready and when they are in court,’’ he said.
Mr Zimba also stated that the state cannot arrest someone and not be present in court, and that the charge sheet was not yet brought.
“We were told to appear on September 8, 2022 and we are here but the state is nowhere to be seen, we seek guidance,’’ he said.
Last month, DEC seized 10 Higer buses which Katanga allegedly bought at US$203, 000 each using funds reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime and also cash in her company bank account in the sum of over K1.5 million.
