FORMER Southern Province Patriotic Front (PF) Political Secretary Brian Hapunda has pleaded not guilty to five charges of obtaining money by false pretences as well as uttering a false document and making documents without authority using the name of the ruling party.
Livingstone magistrate Edsen Shandula granted Mr Hapunda bail pending the commencement of trial on November 4, 2013.
Mr Hapunda, 30, a non-practicing lawyer of House Number 903 in Lusaka’s new Avondale area, appeared before Mr Shandula in Livingstone magistrate’s court yesterday.
In count one, Hapunda is charged with obtaining money by false pretences contrary to the laws of Zambia.
“It is alleged that on February 26, 2013, in Livingstone, with intend to deceive or defraud, you obtained K24, 000 cash from Inyatsi Road Zambia by falsely purporting that you were sent by the PF to solicit for financial donations for campaigns for the Livingstone Constituency byelections when in fact not. Do you understand this charge,” magistrate Shandula asked Hapunda.
Hapunda said he understood the charge but he pleaded not guilty.
In two, Hapunda it is alleged that on May 21, 2013 in Livingstone, with intent to deceive or defraud, Hapunda made a false document namely PF letter without lawful authority purporting that his party was soliciting K2, 000 as financial assistance from Southern Water and Sewerage Company (SWASCO) when in fact not.
In count three, Hapunda has been charged with uttering a false document. It is alleged that on May 21 and May 24, 2013 in Livingstone, he knowingly and fraudulently uttered a false document namely PF letter to Charles Shindaile, the Managing Director for SWASCO.
In count four, it is alleged that on May 24, 2013 in Livingstone with intent to deceive or defraud, Hapunda obtained K2, 000 cash from SWASCO by falsely pretending that he was sent by PF to solicit for financial assistance in the province.
In count five, Hapunda has been charged with obtaining money by false pretences. It is alleged that between January 1, 2013 and July 25, 2013 in Livingstone with intent to deceive or defraud, he obtained K11, 000 cash from Bhukhans Brothers Ltd by pretending that he was sent by PF to solicit for financial donations for party operations in the province when in fact not.
Hapunda pleaded not guilty to all the five charges and was granted bail pending trial.
The bail was granted in the sum of K20, 000 in his own recognizance and that the accused should provide two working sureties in managerial positions both based in Livingstone and also in the sum of K20, 000 each in their own recognisance
Magistrate Shandula also ordered Hapunda to surrender his passport to the Senior Clerk of the court.
He would appear for mention on September 4, and 18 and October 2, 16 and 30 this year while trial would start on November 4, 2013.
He is being represented by John Kapepe of MAK Partners and Major Isaac Masonga of KBF and Partners.
Brian- tepapa waisanga mukakubila nomba
what goes around comes around,ulimuchibe mfwiti ewe,this issue of ruling parties soliciting for funds from parastatals & business’s should be dissected by the ACC carefully,this amounts to intimidation and abuse of power.Am glad this boy is being made an example.
I believe there are many other people within PF obtaining money in the same way. ACC DEC this your job other planting sex drugs in peoples houses
Isn’t this the guy that was so arrogant that he allegedly fired gun shots at one of the prominent night clubs in Livingstone? Serves him right !!! What goes up, must come down eventually !!!! Uli Muchibe boyi !!! Hope you get what you deserve !!!!
Brian, are U in politics to help better your country, & serve the citizens or is it all about lining your own pockets?? If these allegations are true, wa foka mfana!
Please someone help me understand what the term ”non practicing lawyer” means. Did he complete his studies?
Hapunda ukeni mwa matata akui patiseza! Ki taba ya hao sitoto tuna wena!
yashani mudala? write in Nyanja or bemba kabili?
So Given Lubinga is smiling. Hi man send him another SMS