Maravi

Police question Simeza in Itowala murder conspiracy

Police question Simeza in Itowala murder conspiracy
By Chibaula Silwamba
Wed 17 Nov. 2010, 04:00 CAT

POLICE yesterday interrogated Lusaka lawyer Robert Simeza in connection with investigations in the murder of Lusaka businessman Sajid Itowala.

And Simeza’s lawyer, John Sangwa - who accompanied him to Police Force Headquarters for questioning said they will only talk in court as he referred all queries to the police. Sources close to Simeza said he arrived at Police Service Headquarters around 09:30 hours and was briefly interviewed.

The sources said there was a possibility that Simeza might be summoned again for further questioning. When contacted for comment, Sangwa declined to explain what transpired.

“Speak to the police; they will tell you more. We don’t comment on such things. You know that. We comment in court, we will comment in court. Speak to the police, they will tell you more about what transpired,” said Sangwa.

And when contacted, police spokesperson Ndandula Siamana expressed ignorance about the summoning of Simeza and former president Frederick Chiluba’s press aide Emmanuel Mwamba.

“I have just read about that in the newspapers as well,” said Siamana.

The police on Monday summoned Simeza to appear before them to help in their investigations of Itowala’s murder. The police also summoned Mwamba in connection with the alleged contemptuous anonymous articles published on Zambia Watchdog online discussing Itowala’s murder case, which is before Supreme Court judge Gregory Phiri in the Lusaka High Court.

Last week, judge Phiri ordered a quick and thorough investigation to identify the author and publisher of contemptuous and scandalous articles that have been circulating on Zambian Watchdog on the Mathew Mohan trial.

On Monday, police summoned Mwamba but he could not show up as he is purported to be out of town. He was expected to report himself to police yesterday but this did not happen by press time.

And police sources disclosed that they were aware that Mwamba was in Lusaka although he claimed to be out of town.

"He can run, but he will not hide. Very soon we'll close up on him," said the police source.

Labels: JOHN SANGWA, ROBERT SIMEZA

posted by MrK @ 4:18 PM