In submissions before the Economic and Financial Crimes Court, Director of Public Prosecutions Gilbert Phiri stated that the alleged owner of the funds is deceased and that the money is subject to non-conviction-based forfeiture proceedings.
According to court documents filed by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), senior investigations officer Yona Siame was assigned on September 17, 2024, to investigate suspected financial irregularities involving accounts held at Stanbic Bank Zambia. The accounts reportedly held balances of K271,629.22, K5,800.47, and K4,513.72.
The investigation followed a report by Cornelius Chileshe concerning alleged misuse of company funds involving SATC Africa Limited. Mr. Chileshe informed investigators that he became a shareholder and director in 2022 but was only a director “on paper” and was not involved in financial management or operations.
Mr. Chileshe further disclosed that despite the company’s reported financial instability, SATC Africa Limited secured a contract from LS Telcom for the installation of network and communication towers for the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority. LS Telcom allegedly paid US$100,197.84 to SATC Africa Limited for procurement of project equipment and materials, with transactions reportedly handled by John Liversage Senior and John Liversage Junior.
Investigators stated that funds received from LS Telcom were transferred from the company’s dollar account into both a company kwacha account and a personal kwacha account belonging to John Liversage Senior. On September 13, 2024, the day of his death, he allegedly transferred K185,000 to John Liversage Junior’s account.
The DEC reported that several accounts were later seized with balances of K271,629.92, K4,513.72, and K5,805.47. When John Liversage Junior travelled to Zambia on September 17, 2024, to identify his father’s body, he was arrested for further investigations and later charged with obtaining money by false pretences and money laundering.
Investigators have submitted that the cited funds constitute tainted property and are liable for forfeiture to the State under provisions of the Penal Code and the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act.
