A 35 year old woman of new Mushili compound in Ndola, yesterday fainted in Serenje magistrate court when magistrate Philip Chisenga sentenced her to two years simple imprisonment for unlawful possession of psychotropic substance namely, dagga.

Before Mr. Chisenga were Loveness Nyama 44 of house number 1976 new Mushili compound who was charged with one count of unlawful possession of government trophy and Marjory Chibale also of Mushili compound who was charged with two counts.

Chibale was charged with unlawful possession of government trophy and in the second count was charged with unlawful possession of dagga.[quote]

The two were arrested on Monday this week by Zambia wildlife authority (ZAWA) officers at Kanona check point along great North Road in Serenje when they were traveling from Mpika to Ndola on Checha bus registration number ABC 7292.

According to the facts ready by ZAWA prosecutor Henry Munalula, Nyama and Chibale were found with seven pieces of buffalo meat each in their traveler’s bags.

Chibale, who tried holding back her tears throughout the session, had also 3.4kg of dagga wrapped in a transparent plastic bag in the second count which she told the court she was to use it to treat her hair.

In mitigation, Nyama pleaded for leniency because she had eight children including two orphans and that all of them were school going and if she was jailed nobody would take care of them.

He fined both K900,000 in default six months simple imprisonment in the first count of unlawful possession of government trophy.

Mr. Chisenga sentenced Chibale to two years imprisonment for being found in possession of psycho tropical substance.

Just upon pronouncement of the sentence, Chibale fell on to the chair that was behind and shouted “My Jesus” and openly wept before Mr. Chisenga.

Chibale, who later gained strength, was picked by Nyama and a DEC officer who helped her walk up to the police inquiries.

ZANIS

Former Council Secretary Rodger Musonda has been jailed for two years for corrupt practices and forgery.

Musonda, was yesterday 27th May, 2009 convicted and sentenced to jail by Mkushi Magistrate Betty Malupenga.

The sentences will run concurrently with effect from 27th May, 2009 and Musonda has since been imprisoned at Mkushi State Prison.

The Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) spokesperson Timothy Moono said this in a statement yesterday.

Musonda who was facing six counts before magistrate Malupenga, was convicted on two counts of forgery contrary to Section 342 and 347 of the Penal Code and sentenced to two years imprisonment on each count.

Further, Musonda was convicted on three counts of Abuse of Authority of Office contrary to Section 37 (2) of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Act and sentenced to one year and six months imprisonment with hard labour on each count.

Musonda was arrested by the Anti Corruption Commission in 2008 and charged with two counts of forgery and four counts of Abuse of Authority of Office.

In the first count, details are that Musonda stood charged with forgery of Minutes of the Special Plans, Works, Water Sanitation Committee in which he had purported that the Committee did meet on 20th September, 2006 when in fact it did not meet. As a result of the forged minutes plots were offered to among other people, himself and his wife Artress Musonda.

In the second count, Musonda stood charged with forgery of minutes of the Special Finance and General Purposes Committee in which case he had purported that the Committee did meet on 15th September 2006 when in fact it did not.

As a result of the forged minutes loans were given to, among other people, himself.

In the third count, Musonda stood charged with abuse of authority of office for giving himself an additional loan of K10million without approval from the Special Finance and General Purposes Committee. He gave himself the loan on the basis of the forged minutes already mention in Court Two above.

In the fourth count, Musonda stood charged with abuse of authority of office for offering plots to, among other people, himself and his wife Artress Musonda at a time when the Ministry of Lands had withdrawn the Land Agency from Mkushi District Council. He offered the plots on the basis of the forged minutes already mentioned in Court Two above.

In the fifth count, Musonda stood charged with abuse of office for applying to himself and personally approving for himself an additional loan of K5million without the Special Finance and General Purposes Committee’s approval or the approval of the Council Chairman.

Magistrate Malupenga found Musonda guilty on the above-mentioned five (5) counts and but acquitted him on the sixth count.
ZANIS

The National Constitution Conference (NCC) has submitted seven names of its delegates to Secretary to the Cabinet Dr. Joshua Kanganja for possible disciplinary action following their absenteeism from the plenary on three consecutive times.

NCC Spokesperson Mwangala Zaloumis explained to journalists during a press briefing that the names have been submitted to Dr. Kanganja to take appropriate action as the appointing authority.

Mrs. Zaloumis said upon confirming the status of the concerned delegates, the Secretary to the Cabinet, working together with the sponsoring institutions, will decide on what action will be taken on the delegates in question.

She said in the interim the seven would not be allowed to attend the NCC deliberations and will not be given any allowances until their case is concluded.

Mrs. Zaloumis explained that the move was taken because the NCC guidelines stipulate that if delegates are absent from the deliberations for three or more consecutive times, the Secretary to the Cabinet, who is the appointing authority should take appropriate action.

Meanwhile, the NCC spokesperson has disclosed that the work of the NCC is now at adoption stage.
Mrs. Zaloumis said the adoption process is being done by a bigger and more widely representative group in conformity with the demands from the stakeholders.

ZANIS/PM/AM/ENDS