Ndola Magistrate Court has acquitted suspended former Copperbelt Police Commissioner, Mary Tembo on two counts of abuse of office.
Delivering judgment this morning, Magistrate Paul Chisha stated that the prosecution had failed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt that the accused person was guilty of the offence of abuse of office.
Ms. Tembo was facing two counts of abuse of office and authority.
It is alleged that between May 1 and June 30, 2013 in Ndola, Tembo abused her office as Commissioner of Police for the Copperbelt Province by obtaining a Toyota Corolla registration number AAX 5716 from Grizzly Mining Limited, which she registered in her name thereby, obtaining benefits for herself.
In the second count, it is alleged that Tembo, on dates unknown but between November 1 and December 31, 2012 in Ndola, abused her authority of office as Commissioner of Police by asking Grizzly Mining Limited, a private company, to fix her personal Toyota Cressida.
Magistrate Chisha stated that having taken into account the evidence before the court in count one, the prosecution failed to establish that Tembo obtained and registered the said motor vehicle for her benefit.
He said he is convinced that the transfer of ownership of the motor vehicle was done with consent of Grizzly Mining through the accused to assist the police command with transport.
While in the second count, Magistrate Chisha stated that, the court failed to find the accused person guilty because the investigation officer in the matter failed to furnish the court with records of phone conversation between prosecution witness, Abdu Bar Chief Executive Officer of Grizzly Mining and Tembo where she issued instructions asking the company to repair her personal vehicle.
The court has since given the prosecution team a 14 day period in which to appeal against the judgement if it is dissatisfied.
Meanwhile, reacting to the judgement delivered, Tembo’s lawyer Milner Katolo expressed happiness that his client was satisfied that justice has prevailed.
Meanwhile the utterly lazy Lungu is obtaining plots from a Swazi firm that is bidding and has ongoing GRZ contracts!!
that case came up under Sata, so many years, what do these courts do everyday? if we say something it is a contempt
I did not expect any other judgment on this matter other than being acquitted. If the eSwatinni gift is legal, why should the commissioner`s case be treated differently? Think about it.
In short, we have legalized getting kickbacks, its normal and part of Zambian culture. No wonder the government is finding it difficult to fight corruption.
Imagine what an uproar this would have raised if this lady was found guilty.
This prosecution…how did they fail to prove a car given to someone by a private company and registered in that persons name? This is a car that leaves a paper trail and not a goat from ba yama kumushi. Ine mu Zambia mula papusha.
“is alleged that between May 1 and June 30, 2013 in Ndola, Tembo abused her office ”
If a commissioners case can take 5 years imagine cases of these ministers abusing powers today..
Kkkkkkkk. Just wonder what these magistrates do. It’s insane. There must be time frame attached to court cases not wamuyayaya
Am happy for you lady commissioner. Make sure to fix those boys who were after your dismissal
She was just framed by her position competitors!
Congrats Mary tembo/Zulu. I hope they reinstate you as full commissioner now.
Origins of Surname + political affiliation = acquital in zambian courts. That my friends is the equation that is pertaining under the corrupt leadership of that swine you call lungu.
“…He said he is convinced that the transfer of ownership of the motor vehicle was done with consent of Grizzly Mining through the accused to assist the police command with transport…”
This is legalizing corruption under lungu…Suspects of questionable character are allowed to Fund and sponsor the police forcers and police command ……PLM would never had accepted such abuse ….
Uubomba mwibala bane…
More money in Mary Tembo’s handbag.
This case was embarrassing, it stemmed from her differences with Stella. Why did they want to fix her using the system? The best Sata could have done was to just retire her. They didn’t even mind about her many years of service that they went to waste. You can’t destroy somebody’s life like that. She deserves compensation. Mopani rehabilitated and furnished Malama’s house when he served in the same position, was he charged? Which god do these people worship?
In any case, how do you expect the police to show impartiality in their duties by allowing a company to repair a police car???? imwe bane this is crap, zambia is what it is today with the police being told what to do and what not to do…shame on you!!!!!!
So Charity will also do the same and it will not be construde as having abused her office.Unless some like Liato who dug and buried his loot at his farm.
Congratulations mama I celebrate ???? with you we thank God Almighty for intervention
We give glory to God, am so happy for you mama it is well with you…. God has fight your battle. It’s a New Dawn Era