Katanga, ex-Deputy Inspector-General of Police, granted K100,000 bail pending appeal

Former Police deputy Inspector-General, Charity Katanga, has been granted K100,000 bail pending her appeal against the three years simple imprisonment for being in possession of 10 Higer buses worth K26 millon.

Katanga was ordered to surrender her passport to the Senior Clerk of Court and provide two sureties to be bound in their own recognition in amounts of K500,000 each .

Lusaka Chief Resident Magistrate, Davies Chibwili, granted the convict bail but admitted that he was not confident the High Court would overturn the sentence based on the same.

The trial Magistrate also dismissed Katanga’s argument that not by the time her appeal would be heard, she would have served a substantial portion of her sentence.

Magistrates Chibwili said the Economic and Financial Crimes Court set to hear the apeal was a fast track Court and the case would be determined in the shortest period of time.

On February 19, 2024, Katanga was found guilty of possessing property suspected to have been acquired through proceeds of crime.

In her memorandum of appeal, she contested the conviction and sentencing arguing that the trial Magistrate erred in law by arriving at a conclusion that the 10 Higer buses were acquired through proceeds of crime.

She also contended that Magistrate Chibwili erred in law by discounting the testimony of her uncle Joseph Phiri who allegedly lent her part of the money for the purchase of the buses due to lack of documentation.

In her application for bail, Katanga contended that the possession of Property Reasonably Suspected Of Being Proceeds Of Crime contrary to section 71(1) of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act No. 19 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia was bailable.

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