Maravi

Namulambe pleads not guilty to bicycles theft

Namulambe pleads not guilty to bicycles theft
By Namatama Mundia
Tue 20 Mar. 2012, 11:59 CAT

FORMER works minister Gabriel Namulambe has denied stealing 20 bicycles valued at K11 million in the Lusaka Magistrates' Court. In this case, Namulambe is charged with theft by public servant contrary to the Laws of Zambia.

It is alleged that Namulambe on November 21, 2010 in Kitwe being employed in public service as deputy minister in the Ministry of Mines stole 20 bicycles altogether valued at K11 million, the property of the government which came into his possession by virtue of his employment.

Taking plea before Lusaka magistrate Wilfred Muma yesterday, Namulambe, 45, told the court that he was a member of parliament, farmer and businessman of Namulambe Farm in Mpongwe.

After magistrate Muma read the charge to him, Namulambe said he understood it but pleaded not guilty to the offence.

Earlier, a public prosecutor applied that Namulambe's case which was committed in Kitwe be tried in Lusaka.

The prosecutor said he was relying on Section 69 of the Criminal Procedure Code CPC which provides that an accused could be tried within a place where the offence was committed or where he was apprehended.

"Since he was arrested here in Lusaka, we apply that the matter be heard here," the prosecutor said.

Defence lawyer Bwalya Mubanga did not object to the application which magistrate Muma granted.

The matter comes up on March 26 and March 27 for commencement of trial.

Labels: CORRUPTION, GABRIEL NAMULAMBE, MMD

posted by MrK @ 4:24 PM