Witness exonerates Charity Katanga

BUILDING contractor has told the Lusaka Magistrate Court that he signed a contract with former Deputy Inspector General of Police Charity Masambo Katanga amounting to K1.8 million for purposes of building her a flat.
However, Mr. Osman Dodia, 61, of Quorum Construction Ltd in cross-examination submitted that, there was nothing unusual in building Ms. Katanga a flat because everything went well as the right procedure was followed.
In this matter, Katanga is facing one count of possession of property reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime contrary to section 71(1) of the forfeiture of the Proceeds of Crime Act No. 19 of 2010 of the laws of Zambia.
Mr. Dodia testified that he made a first contract with the sum of K1.4 million (K1.448.137.98) and later the cost was elevated to K1.8million.
“The agreement offer was signed by both parties but some changes where being made as we moved on and contract sum was being affected. The overall cost for the contract reached k1.8 million,” he said.
Mr. Dodia narrated that he completed the project and handed it over to the client.
“I was paid well and in time, there was a cordial relationship between us and madam Katanga,” he said.
According to the Drug Enforcement Commission, cash money amounting to K1, 522,005.00 in her company was seized reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.
It is alleged that Katanga on dates unknown between January 1, 2017 and June 6, 2022 in Lusaka with other person’s unknown did possess 10 Higer buses with Motor Vehicle registration numbers BAF 8518 ZM, BAF 5119 ZM, BAG 8558 ZM, BAG 8559 ZM, BAG 8733 ZM, BAJ 2476 ZM, BAJ 2590 ZM, BAJ 2919 ZM, BAJ 2590 ZM, BAJ 2919 ZM, BAV 2931 ZM and BAL 9126 ZM respectively, all together valued at k26,282,770.00 property reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime, the charge she recently denied.
Trial continues today.