Court hears $3.5 million in suspicious deposits linked to Ndozo Lodge owner
The Economic and Financial Crimes Court has heard evidence detailing how Mulozi Trading Limited, allegedly connected to Ndozo Lodge proprietor Chrint Sichamba, received over US$3.5 million in suspicious cash deposits.
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Clement Chipasha, the arresting officer, testified before Senior Resident Magistrate Irene Wishimanga that the deposits ranged from US$20,000 to over US$800,000, with multiple transactions occurring in a single day, raising concerns about the source of the funds.
Chipasha’s testimony outlined several cash deposits into the Mulozi Trading dollar account at Investrust Bank, including transactions on February 8, 2019, for US$100,000, and on February 11, 2019, for another US$100,000.
These transactions, among others, have been flagged as potentially linked to criminal activity.
Sichamba, his wife Eudora Nambela, and their son David Sichamba are facing corruption charges, accused of embezzling over K781 million and more than US$10 million.
The trio is also charged with possessing 140 properties suspected of being proceeds of crime.
The three accused persons are also jointly charged with Ndozo Lodge and Mulozi Trading Limited co-directors and shareholders.
Chipasha revealed that Sichamba owned six motor vehicles, his wife owned five motor vehicles which were all stated as proceeds of crime.
He said his son David Sichamba owned four motor vehicles while Mulozi trading limited owned 34 motor vehicles part of which 31 were suspected to be proceeds of crime.
“Some of the transactions were noted from this account [Mulozi trading dollar account with Investrust bank] where on February 8, 2019, the account received US$100,000 cash deposit. On February 11, 2019, the account received US$100,000.”
“On Feb 23, 2019, the account received $50,000. On the same day, the account received US$50,000. On February 28, 2019, the account received cash deposit of US$70,000 dollars. On March 25, a cash deposit was received US$35,000 and on the same date, the account received another US$35,000 cash,” he said.
Chipasha said on April 16, 2019, the account received a cash deposit US$40,000 and on the same date, the account. It received another cash deposit of US$40,000 and on the same date another cash deposit of US$20,000.
He further said in 2020 on February 27, the account received a transfer of US$100,000. On March 7, 2020, the account received cash deposit of US$30,000. On the same date, the account received a cash deposit of US$32,000. On the same date, the account received cash deposit of US$32,000 and on the same date, the account received a cash deposit of US$600,000.
“On March 24, 2020, the account received the flowing cash deposits, US$25,000, US$25,000, US$25,000 and another US$25,000.0n August 4, 2020, the account received a cash deposit of $50,000 and on August 21, the account received the following cash deposits; US$25,000, US$25,000 dollars, US$25,000 and US$25,000,” he said.
He submitted that the company also on August 28, 2020, the account received a transfer amounting to US$3,788,178.15. On October 28, the account received a cash deposit of $50,0000.
“On April 15, 2021, the account received the following cash deposits, and 20,000, US$20,000, US$20,000 and US$20,000. On May 14, 2021, the account received cash deposit of US$25,000,” said.
The company received several other cash deposits in the dollar account.
Meanwhile, in the Mulozi trading kwacha account on December 20, 2016, the account received K3 million which was a transfer.
After the interrogations, the arresting officer gave the accused persons a warn and caution statement where they all opted to be silent and he arrested them.
Trial continues today.
By Lucy Phiri
Kalemba February 20, 2025
Court hears $3.5 million in suspicious deposits linked to Ndozo Lodge owner
