A TAXI driver, Juma Hanguzu testified in the Lusaka Magistrates Court yesterday, recounting how he was forced to hand over his employer’s vehicle to the henchmen of former first lady Esther Lungu.
Hanguzu, a resident of Jack Compound, told the court that he worked for Elizabeth Phiri, a herbalist who had purchased a canter with registration number BAB 5282 in February 2022.
He said Phiri had employed him as her driver and he worked with the vehicle from February to August 2022.
However, things took a dramatic turn when Hanguzu received a phone call from an unknown number, demanding that he surrender the truck. Despite initial hesitation, Hanguzu eventually relented after being threatened by the callers, who claimed to be police officers.
“When I went to Lilayi, I saw vehicles and among the occupants was Elizabeth, her daughter Furhana Patel, and a man who had called on the phone,” Hanguzu testified. “The man directed that we move in a convoy.”
Hanguzu said the police officers told him their mission was to retrieve the vehicle, and threatened to lock him up together with his boss if he was involved in the issue. One of the officers brandished a gun, and Hanguzu knew he had no choice but to comply.
In a separate testimony, Assistant Commissioner of Police Charles Hakuwa revealed that Esther Lungu had personally intervened to prevent the arrest of her associate, who had abducted Hakuwa’s niece.
Hakuwa said he received a distress call from his nephew, informing him that his wife Furhana Patel had been abducted by unknown individuals. Hakuwa rushed to the scene and found his niece in a vehicle with two men, who claimed to be police officers from Ibex Police Station.
When Hakuwa attempted to arrest the men, one of them made a phone call, and Esther Lungu personally intervened, asking Hakuwa not to arrest her associate.
Esther Lungu is jointly charged with James Phiri, a police officer, Lee Chisulo, a police officer, Kapambwe Lungu, a police officer, and her niece Catherine Banda on three counts of theft of motor vehicle and one count of theft. The case continues on December 3.
By Mwaka Ndawa
Kalemba November 27, 2024
