A former Zambian Minister under the Patriotic Front (PF) government, Stephen Kampyongo, has been charged alongside his wife, Wanziya Chirwa, on 11 counts of possession of property suspected of rbeing proceeds of crime worth over K29 million.
During preliminary hearing on Wednesday at the Lusaka Magistrate Court, Justice Sylvia Munyinya said Kampyongo, who was the Minister of Home Affairs and was later made Minister of Local Government and Housing during the administration of ex-President Edgar Lungu, and his wife had to answer to the charges contrary to section 71 (1) of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act No. 19 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia.
Munyinya ruled that the prosecution had establised a prima facie case against the accused.
“I have considered the evidence on record and it appears to me that a prima facie case has been established warranting the accused persons being called upon to make their defence on the respective counts,” she said.
“Having said this, I invite the accused persons herein to make their defence on the subject offences,” she added.
The prosecution had earlier alleged that Kampyongo, between January 1, 2012 and September 30, 2021, did possess property number Lus/38467 located off Twin Palm Road in Lusaka valued at K1, 600, 000; and, property number Lus/24406 located off Lilayi Road, Libala South valued at K860, 000.
It also alleged that the PF chieftain possessed property number F/135/4301 and property number F/137/4301 both located in Eureka Park, comprising incomplete double storey house valued at K11, 100, 000.00; property number KAF/Ln 59832/8 and KAF/59832/9 in Chifwema area valued at K1, 600, 000.
Charges against Kampyongo’s wife are that between January 1, 2012 and September 30, 2021, she possessed property number F/135/4301 and property number F/179/4301 located in Eureka Park off Kafue Road valued at K11, 100, 000.00.
It further alleged that she possessed property number F/33/a/F/2470 and property number F/33/a/F/2471 located in Meanwood Ndeke, Lusaka valued at K2, 100, 000.
She is also alleged to possess property number F/609/E/77/A48 and property number F/609/E/77/A485 located in Foxdale Lusaka valued at K5, 200, 000 property number L/2131/m/a/2/cl/11 valued at K1, 200, 000.00 located in Ibex Hill, Lusaka, property number L/2131/M/A/2/CL/10 valued at K1, 200, 000.00 located in Ibex Hill, Lusaka, property number L/30168/m and property number L/30167/M located in Mikango Lusaka valued at K2, 110, 000.
It is also suspected that Chirwa did possess K1, 382, 513.84 and K1, 200, 000 in two separate bank accounts held with Indo Zambia Bank.