Friday, March 29, 2024

DEC withdraw case against former Zambia Red Cross Society S.G Charles Mushita and finance manager Sydney Chituta

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Zambia Red Cross Society General Secretary Charles Mushitu (r) and public relations manager James Zulu (l) talk to journalists on the Haiti earthquake aid appeal in Lusaka
File : Zambia Red Cross Society General Secretary Charles Mushitu (r) and public relations manager James Zulu (l) talk to journalists on the Haiti earthquake aid appeal in Lusaka

The Lusaka magistrate court has discharged former Zambia Red Cross Society (ZRCS) Secretary General Charles Mushitu and his finance manager Sydney Chituta of one count of abuse of authority.

Principal Resident Magistrate Obbister Musukwa discharged Mushitu and Chituta after the State applied to have the matter withdrawn as it believed that some witnesses in the matter were being interfered with.

In January 2012 the Drug Enforcement Commission arrested the ZRCS Secretary General and the Finance Manager of Zambia Red Cross Society for theft and money laundering offences involving over K1 billion.DEC acting public relations officer Samuel Silomba said that Charles Mushitu, 44, of plot No. 31326 Chalala in Lusaka and Sydney Chituta, 31, of plot No. 797 Chilenje in Lusaka had been arrested for theft by clerk or servant contrary to section 272 as read with 278 of the Penal Code Chapter 87, and for money laundering contrary to section 7 of Act 14 of 2001 of the Laws of Zambia.

Mr Silomba explained that it is alleged that on dates unknown but between 1st January 2008 and 31st December, 2011, the duo did steal a total of K1.4 billion, funds which came into their possession by virtue of their office as Secretary General and Finance Manager, respectively.He said the stolen funds were meant for water and sanitation projects in Southern Province.

In October 2012 a witness, Patricia Namuka 42, told the Lusaka Magistrate Court that she had seen boreholes that were sunk in Choma and Sinazongwe for a Water and Sanitation project during an evaluation exercise that was conducted.

“As the evaluation team we found boreholes that were sunk in both Choma and Sinazongwe and there has not been any complaint from the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) over the boreholes,” she said.

When the matter came up for continued trial yesterday, Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) Public Prosecutor Mukelebai Kwaleyela applied to have the case withdrawn under section 88 (a) of the criminal procedure code (CPC.

Principal Resident Magistrate Obbister Musukwa discharged the duo but warned that it was not an acquittal as they could be re-arrested.

Mr Mushitu in commenting over the discharge said “this matter should not have come to court in the first place because there is no authority that I abused. Evidence was tendered in court and the prosecution had no choice but to surrender.”

12 COMMENTS

  1. Witnesses were intimidated, threatened with witchcraft and other things. They shall be made to account by the Almighty sometime in the future. They messed up many peoples lives when they were running the Red Cross which they personalised and ensured the IFRC was kicked out of the country.

  2. It is almost impossible to steal that much in an international organisations like Red Cross, OXFAM, Action Aid or EU. Donors are always following your ass.

  3. Another silly PF induced witch hunt.You have embarassed Mr.Chituta and Mr.Mushitu for nothing.How can persecutors claim money was stolen when the International Federation of Red Cross did not complain and there is visible evidence of projects being done? Samuel Silomba from DEC must resign and the whole DEC must be disbanded.Its become a PF tool to intimidate perceived opponents.

  4. No vision. Go to governments officials where forging of receipts and fake suppliers are the order of the day. Engaging themselves to do rehabilitation and pay themselves money before the start of the project. I phoned you chaps, I was told that when you reached there and found evidence more money was paid to said baggier.
    Annie we need your number please to sort out these fools

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