Friday, March 29, 2024

Shikapwasha, Chanda Chimba III appear in court

Share

Former Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha (right) and freelance journalist Chanda Chimba III hug at the Lusaka magistrate’s court complex
Former Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha (right) and freelance journalist Chanda Chimba III hug at the Lusaka magistrate’s court complex

Lusaka Magistrate Mwaka Mikalile has set January 18 as a date for plea in a case involving former Information and Broadcasting Minister Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha 65, a politician, Chanda Chimba III 56, a journalist popularly known for his stand up for Zambia broadcast on ZNBC and former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Dr. Samson Phiri aged 48.

The accused could not take plea yesterday when the matter came up as the third accused person Dr. Phiri was reported to be out of the country.

General Shikapwasha was arrested Wednesday and charged with two counts of abuse of authority of office contrary to section 99 (1) of the penal code chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia together with Dr. Phiri.

Particulars of the offences are that on dates unknown but between October 1 and November 31, 2010 General Shikapwasha and Dr. Phiri, being persons employed in the public service as Minister and Permanent Secretary respectively in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services jointly and whilst acting together arbitrarily and in disregard of defamation laws and ZNBC editorial policy did direct ZNBC management to broadcast Chanda Chimba III’s documentary namely “Stand Up for Zambia”, an act prejudicial to the rights and interest of ZNBC, a public body.

Furthermore, the duo, whist acting together arbitrarily and in disregard to professional legal advice not to broadcast “Stand up for Zambia” allegedly committed the government to pay all liabilities and legal fees emanating from the broadcast of the said programme an act prejudicial to the rights and interests of ZNBC and government.

In count three, Dr. Phiri stands charged with abuse of authority of office contrary to section 99(1) of the penal code and cap 87 of the laws of Zambia.

It is alleged that Dr. Phiri on dates unknown but between June 1 and July 31, 2011 in Lusaka, being a public officer arbitrarily did direct ZNBC to repeat the broadcast of Chanda Chimba’s documentary “Stand up for Zambia” at no fee, an act prejudicial to the rights and interests of ZNBC, a public body.

Chanda Chimba III is facing two counts of unlawful printing and publication contrary to section 5 (1) of chapter 161 of the laws of Zambia.

Particulars of the offences are that between June 9 and July 28, 2011 and August 25 and September 26, 2011 respectively, Chanda Chimba III unlawfully did cause to be printed or published a newspaper “Stand up for Zambia” which was not registered at the office of the Director of National Achieves of Zambia.

It is further alleged that Chanda Chimba III unlawfully did cause to be printed or published a newspaper “News of our Times” which was not registered at the office of the Director of National Achieves of Zambia.

In the last count, Chanda Chimba III is charged with an offence of possession of property suspected to be proceeds of a crime contrary to section 71 of the Forfeiture of Proceeds and Crime Act No. 19 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia.

It is alleged that on dates unknown but between June 9 and September 16, 2011, while in Lusaka Chanda Chimba III did have in possession or control an accumulated total of K611,440,433.12 money he paid for his private media and printing services to ZNBC, Muvi television and Zambia Daily Mail Limited respectively, money which was reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.

Former Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha (right) and freelance journalist Chanda Chimba III hug at the Lusaka magistrate’s court complex
Former Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha (right) and freelance journalist Chanda Chimba III hug at the Lusaka magistrate’s court complex

Meanwhile, Lusaka Chief Resident Magistrate Joshua Banda, has adjourned the matter involving former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Dr. Samson Phiri, former Zambia Daily Mail Deputy Managing Director, Davies Mataka, former Afronet Executive Director, Ngande Mwanajiti and the Zambian Newspapers Limited to January 16 for plea as the magistrate who was scheduled to take over the matter was reported to be out on duty.

The trio in count one is charged with corrupt acquisition of Public property and revenue contrary to section 33 (1) (b) (2) (b) (3) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 38 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offence are that Dr. Phiri, Mr. Mataka, and Mr. Mwanajiti on date’s unknown but between April 19 and November 1, 2011 jointly and whist acting together did fraudulently and unlawfully divert K202,696,050.00 Public Media Support Fund from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services for the production and printing of a private newspaper namely “The Zambian”.
In count two the Zambian Newspaper is charged with unlawful printing and publication contrary to section 5 (1) (2) of chapter 161 of the Laws of Zambia.

It is alleged that being the Zambian Newspaper Limited, Davies Mataka alias “John Allan Mugwida” and Ngande Mwanajiti alias “George Banda” on dates between January 1 and November 1, 2011 while in Lusaka jointly and whilst acting together unlawfully did cause to be printed or published a newspaper namely “The Zambian” without it being registered with the Director at the National Achieves Department.

ZANIS

40 COMMENTS

  1. its time ba chanda time yafika mwalichenjela this is our time now.go ahead tell us about the cobra with that imitation deep voice.

  2. From the pictures above this is a clear case of united we stand divided we fall. Hugging each other like that in court Naizanda bati. Where was he found by the way…Chanda Chimba??

    • @Ghostrider Prophet Chanda Chimba, III has always been around am sure he just kept a low profile for obvious reasons. At least I have seen him around on many occasions.

    • Does it mean they have to be enemies? I know that when Chanda Chimba, III was still working at ZNBC he covered Gen. Shikapwasha then ZAF commander at the 75th Anniverary of the South African Airforce which also coincided with an International Military Airshow at Waterkloof Base in Pretoria. So from that angle am sure they know each other and there is nothing wrong.

    • Zambia is a wasteland, the Air is so polluted with corruption.
      Its amazing how people in the 21 century can only a situation of been ruled by a Grade 7 failure. Surely what do you expect from such uneducated Brain.
      Governing is complex, stop voting for people that make the loudest noise otherwise Zambia will forever be a third world country.
      Very soon Zambia will have nothing to boast about with democracy out of the windows, wildlife depleted by Sylvia Masebo and her poacher friends.
      Zambia died in 2011, no wonder Rupiah cried he knew that the Country had been handed over to illiterates and criminals.

    • Ka Mushota uli ule fye lyapa kalingalinga with a pre school certificate. We were neighbours in Mufurila. I still remember the way you used to talk highly of your self whenever someboy writes you a love letter. Be real for once. Staniok

  3. Listen to you people … always distracted minds of Zambia. The issue here, innocent people are being prosecuted when they were doing their jobs, as we can see Sata is a dictator and Chanda III told the nation. Instead of the nation raising the fact that he was not lying at the time, all you do discuss useless issues. The rights of your fellow Zambians are being violated and all you do joke. These rights you guys take for granted will one day be taken away while you are all worshipping Sata and Co. Democracy dictates freedoms of assembly, association, speech, etc. And these rights are violated by the government in your own eyes, and all you do is joke … SHAME! The next zimbabwe ….

  4. These are innocent people who were doing their job at the time. Can PF really dispute the contents of Chanda’s programs? If there are crime worthy issues in the programs can PF contest them other than cooked up charges when they know he was telling the truth. How can any person not see that this is politically motivated? There are many things that are said and done during canpaigns and PF is not innocent. How did PF itself win the elections? It was pure deception as can be seen from their very slogan of “Donchi kubeba”. Should the next government take them to court when they are out of power for that. No it’s a sheer waste of public money and efforts instead of developing the country.

  5. The documentary were not to sya the truth about Sata. They were all about discrediting him so that he looses and Chanda Chimba benefits. Now it is just Vise vesa Chapwa. When Chanda Chiimba was collecting money he was laughing. Now he who laughs last laughs the loudest

    • think before you post your insults here. The fact is that things are not well in the country. Let me tell you something. The problem Zambians have is that of short memory. One of Africans’ dictator was Idi Amin, he was created by the people of Uganda after voting him into government. They kept on hero worshiping him as he also used a similar Sata tactic. It was late the people of that country when they realised that Idi Amini is a dictator and they wanted to fight back he had already started eating people and no one was ready to fight him. Ask Yoweri Museveni will tell you.

      I see this coming to Zambia because even when you see the President messing up and abusing the people of Zambia you are busy supporting that. Don’t forget that it is only one day. Ask Given Lubinda, GBM and others.

  6. What ever prophet Chanda Chimba III was publishing in the papers were just reproductions (with the exactly font) of what the post newspaper wrote and what ever he showed on TV was the actual video pictures of Sata and usually two conflicting statements, conflicting himself and two different times. For example he shows a video of Sata insulting Panji in Chadiza in 1995 and shows another one Sata idolising or praising Panji in 2011. So sincerly i dont see what offence Chimba III will be found with otherwise both ways they risk shoting themselves on their foot. At the end of the day it will be the post taken to task to prove whatever bad things they were writing against Sata in 2006 as they were supporting Levy. It will a very interesting episode to watch its spaces.

  7. Can we also have the Nchito brothers and Kapoko please.They did bigger damage than these two.Even Mahtani should be brought to book Why selective justice

  8. Wat abot the unlawful alocation of 1.5 Billion to the first lady whose office is not a public office & how about the Ilegal Construction of Sata’s House b4 finishing his term in office, let the Law be executed fairly nt this prejudices we ar seeing today. God Bless Zambia.

  9. i wish to urge chanda chimba and the group to be strong during this diffucult time of political pesecution for its a passing phase. what you profetised about the type of PF govnt has come to pass.
    pf time reckoning is near

  10. Shikapwasha had at an earlier time indicated ‘I don’t personally know the young man’ Chanda Chimba. Now we see bear-hugs! Political expediency.

  11. Politics should be clean, not the way MMD and its minions were handling the public broadcast! They thought things would always remain to their side to abuse. Give them good treatment so that even those in government who may think of doing similar thing will learn from. That time I stopped listening to and watching ZNBS programmes both on radio and TV! Squeeze those chaps so that they regret for their folly behaviour and abuse of public institution and resources! Shame!!!!!!!

  12. @ Juda Chiwaya .. Is that prosecutable offense? Don’t confuse political expediency to criminal acts … this can’t even be a civil case, as all where acting on behalf of their employer at the time, its like sueing the marketing company for advertising BOOM ..

  13. Lelo lelo…muleya ku chimbokaila for slander…obviously the picture tells alot..Chanda was receiving some cash from fake Reverand because he’s too broke he can’t even afford to pay for his one bedroom flat in northmead where he lives with his wife and 10 children

  14. Good that these two devils are in court. We demand from them our money they stole by publishing news of hatred. They used our money to advance their personal and political course for the MMD. Look at this man called Reverend Shikapwasha, what an evil reverend. Look as well at Chand Chimba, he is so scared that he thinks urging Shikapwasha would save him. No man, just be brave for time of account has come.

    Peace and Prosperity to Mother Zambia.

    • U will be busy condemning while he’s heading to heaven…it feels sweet to support wats evil even Jesus himself was condemned . My dear no one is righteous, he can be pretending bt the word is preached..nd wat re u doin to make difference? Busy supporting evil? The truth shall set them free in Jesus name!

  15. If others can also learn a lesson that would be great people need to respect each other despite their differences in oppinion

  16. in his broadcast standup for zambia, i remember him saying who ever wants to sue should sue the organizers of the that programme. thats why he is happy he can even hug with the col. tizaona and tizaziba ma organizers

  17. Ba chanda chimbwi you said MCS will never rule this country, but look at him now the man is an archive .He can not be compared to shika and yourself, you are failures. just imagine councilor to presdo.SELE TUBOMBEKO IWE IMBULI

    • Iwe kantanshi uli chipuba shetani iwe. Wembuli niwe chatile chobe. Even if Prophet Chanda Chimba, III said Sata will never be president 99% of what he said has happened and is still happening.

  18. Ba Mushota what is the matter with you? who cares about what you are doing? keep it to yourself and shut your pie hole. There are people who are more educated than you. Is it the first time you are studying?

Comments are closed.

Read more

Local News

Discover more from Lusaka Times-Zambia's Leading Online News Site - LusakaTimes.com

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading