Mwila in court over 2021 campaigns funds

By LUCY PHIRI
DAVIS Mwila has denied ever being in possession of properties reasonably believed to be proceeds of crime and failing to report suspicious transactions contrary to the laws of Zambia.
Mr Mwila, the former Patriotic Front (PF) secretary general has pleaded not guilty to possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime valued at over K102million and Failure to Report Suspicious Transactions.
Mr Mwila and lawyer Anna Mwitwa have been arraigned before the courts of law over the 2021 general elections campaign funds for the former ruling party.
In this matter, Mr Mwila, 59, of 343 MN Mukuba is jointly charged with Mwitwa, a lawyer of 4061 Mwengele Rd Sunningdale in Lusaka.
The two are facing two counts of Possession of Property Suspected to be Proceeds of Crime and Failure to Report Suspicious Transaction contrary to Section 45 of the Financial Intelligence Act No. 46 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia.
When the matter came up yesterday at the Lusaka magistrate court, chief resident magistrate Davies Chibwili read all the charges to the accused persons and they denied.
It is alleged that Mwila and Mwitwa, on dates unknown, but between January 1, 2021 and August 31, 2021, in Lusaka jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, did possess K102, 600, 000.00, property reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime.
In the second count, Anna Mwitwa, on dates unknown, but between 1 January, 2021 and 31st August, 2021, at Lusaka, in the Lusaka District of the Lusaka Province of the Republic of Zambia, intentionally or negligently did fail to report suspicious transactions in the sum of K102, 600, 000.00 to the Financial Intelligence Centre.
Trial commences on June 30, 2023.