A LUSAKA magistrate’s court has heard that former State House aide Richard Sakala allegedly instructed the Zambia Privatisation Agency (ZPA) to transfer all parastatal houses to the Presidential Housing Initiative (PHI).
Former Indeco Estates managing director, Kalumyana Silumesi 56, was testifying in the case in which Sakala is charged with a Lusaka resident Nelly Chungu, of obtaining execution of a valuable security by false pretences and forging of a deed of transfer.
Sakala is accused of inducing George Chanda who was Chief executive officer at Indeco Estates with an indenture of assignment relating to stand number 6955 in Longacres, in favour of Helen Mumba Waine between August 16, 1999 and December 21, 2001 with intent to defraud.
It is alleged that Sakala pretended that the Government had decided that the stand should not be purchased by Joritus Enterprises which had already paid K140 million because it was involved in the construction of the PHI.
Mr Silumesi told Magistrate, Sharon Newa that at the time, he lived at number 5 Kapumpe area which belonged to Maamba Collieries and that later, he received a letter from ZPA that Maamba collieries was sold to a company called BENCOM.
He was informed that the Government policy was to sell houses to sitting tenants and that the house he was living in and a Guest House in Olympia Park were chosen to be part of the sale to BENCOM.
Mr Silumesi told the court that he went to ZPA where he saw the chief executive officer, John Cruickshank who informed him that they had instructions from Sakala who was then PHI chairman, that all parastatal houses should be passed on to PHI.
He claimed that he did not see Sakala because PHI was not a legal entity and that he later confided in his friend Peter Machungwa to help him get a house, which he promised to do but stated that he was not comfortable with Sakala.
“Machungwa later came and said he had bought the property at K24 million using Emmanuel Chibwe’s name. I was disappointed and let down and he informed me that he was expecting the Taskforce on Corruption to approach him as the matter was being investigated and that if I was approached, I should say I knew Chibwe,” he said.
The court heard that at the time Mr Silumesi was Indeco managing director, a Mr Emmanuel Nyirenda was board chairman until 1999 when Sakala assumed chairmanship.
Mr Silumesi said later he was informed by Sakala that his contract was terminated and that was how he handed over to a Mr George Chanda.
In cross examination by Sakala, Mr Silumesi said ZPA evicted him from the house and not PHI and that the house was vacant and that he applied for it through ZPA and not PHI.
He maintained that Mr Cruickshank told him that he received a letter from Sakala saying the property should be transferred to PHI and was told it belonged to PHI.
Chungu did not cross examine the witness. The matter comes on November 8,9 and14 for hearing.
This young girl Nelly Mwila whose other name is Chungu is a niece of Mrs Lwenga Sakala, Richard’s main wife. She used to work in the Sakalas’ business cntre and later burea de change at Society house.
She is currently working for ZESCO.
Because she is an orphan Richard Sakala used her as a front in many dubious businesses without fear of her hijacking his Investments like Louis Chitolo did.
Sakala is a sakalanyongo, he should just be thrown into prison to rot.
Politicians should learn what goes around comes around….I am glad that he serves time and still under going trail as plundereres need to be taught a lesson. i wish we had saria law in zambia as all this cases would have been desposed of? justice to all…peace