By ALICE NACHILEMBE
Former Luapula Province Minister Derricky Chilundika and 18 other suspects in the Sugilite scandal have pleaded not guilty to the Sugilite case.
This is in a matter before the Mansa Magistrate Court in Luapula Province, were Nchanga Member of Parliament and 18 others are facing two counts of operating in mining activities without a license and Conveying property reasonably suspected to have been stolen or unlawfully obtained respectively.
Appearing before Mansa Principal Resident Magistrate Peggy Banda, was Former Luapula Province Minister Derricky Chilundika, Former Luapula Province Police Commanding Officer Gloria Cheelo Mulele, Former Luapula Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Royd Mwansa.
Others are Former Mwansabombwe District Commissioners Morton Sikazwe, Former Nchelenge District Commissioner Robert Mutepuka and Stephen Chikota, a Mwense Town Council Chairperson as well as some police officers from Mansa who have been jointly charged and all denied the charges in their respective pleas.
In count one, the 19 co-accused have been slapped with the offence of ‘Carrying out mining operations without a licence Contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offence are that Derricky Chilunduka, Gloria Cheelo Mulele, Royd Mwansa, Morton Sikazwe, Robert Mutepuka, Stephen Chikota, Kelvin Mulenga, Mulongwe Sydney, Nelson Kalembwe, Jones Nkandu, Jerry Justine Bwalya, Obbrey Simauki, Mulenga Chilufya, Chiwala Simon, Masauso Jere.
Others are Chimuli Joshua, Justine Chisha, Kelvin Mukuka and Kingstone Chingu between January 4, 2023 and February 13, 2023 at Muombe in Chembe district of Luapula province, jointly and whilst acting together with persons unknown did carry out mining operations without a licence.
In the Second Count, the 19 jointly accused are charged with Conveying property reasonably suspected to have been stolen or unlawfully obtained, Contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offence are that the 19 accused persons between February 3, 2023 and February 13, 2023 at Kabwe in Kabwe district of Central province, jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, did convey 13,732 tonnes of natural Sugilite ore which property is reasonably suspected to have been stolen or unlawfully obtained.
The court entered the plea of not guilty as all the 19 defendants who have acknowledged understanding the chargers slapped on them, pleaded not guilty.
And Magistrate Banda has set 25 and 26 September 2023 as dates for commencement of trial in the Sugilite matter.
