Lusaka businessman pleads not guilty to theft involving white maize case

Lusaka based businessman Hendrix Nyambe has pleaded not guilty to one count of theft involving white maize valued at K656, 040.

Mr. Nyambe who is accused of stealing 31, 040 kilograms of maize belonging to opposition ADD president Charles Milupi, took plea before chief resident magistrate Nsunge Chanda.

And Magistrate Chanda has granted Mr. Nyambe a 30, 000 cash bail in his recognizance with two working sureties.

This was after the arresting officer, detective inspector Dennis Mano of Kabwata police station filed an application through state lawyers to revoke Mr. Nyambe’s police bond when the matter came up.

Inspector Mano told the Court that his life would be in danger if the accused has his bond extended.

He narrated to the Court that after his release from custody on bond, Mr. Nyambe made threats on him and other critical witnesses in the matter.

But lawyers for the accused told the Court that their client was a sick person who was not in a position to kill the arresting officer.

They further argued that Mr. Nyambe was not a flight risk as he is already facing other Court cases and has never run away.

In her ruling, Magistrate Chanda opted to grant the accused bail after hearing both parties.

Earlier, lawyers for the accused also filed an application to transfer the matter to Nkehema or Kaoma District where the accused is alleged to have committed the offence.

They relied on section 80 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) which gives the High Court powers to transfer a case to the area where the crime was committed.

The State however sought an adjournment to study the file in order to respond to the application.

The matter has since been transferred to 24^th May for ruling on the application.