Journalists who wanted to cover a scene visit at former Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo’s house were yesterday stranded after some people locked the gate, denying them access.

The reporters were seen at the gate trying to reason with the men who locked it, to no avail.

The court journalists ended up missing a cross-examination session of a witness, which was done at the Chamba Valley premises.

Asked why they had been barred from entering, it was alleged that an application had been made in court to prevent the media from covering the case, which the scribes doubted.

This is in a case Lusambo is facing two counts of possessing property suspected to be proceeds of crime.

He is appearing before Lusaka chief resident magistrate Davies Chibwili.
On Tuesday a witness, Morgan Mwanza, narrated that the former Kabushi lawmaker’s earnings between 2016 and 2021 were about K3.8 million.

Mr Mwanza, in charge of payroll and emoluments, narrated that in January 2022, Ministry of Finance and National Planning received a warrant of access from Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Mr Bwalya said ACC officers wanted to find out about Lusambo’s personal emoluments when he served as minister.

He said the warrant was restricted to personal emoluments and not other allowances the politician received when he served as provincial minister.
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“The payments were net salary K2,546,359.64, travel benefits K109,069.71, household loan K1,020 000, settling-in allowance K170,931.19. The total received is slightly over K3.8 million,” Mr Bwalya said.

The case was then adjourned for a scene visit where reporters were barred from entering.
(📸 Kalemba)
Source: Zambia Daily Mail