Tembo, 41, from the Sos Forest area, stands accused of theft, with claims stating that between September 6 and 30, 2021, he unlawfully took possession of the containers, property of Berto Bacara Pascoal.
Upon hearing the charge read by Lusaka chief resident magistrate Davies Chibwili, Tembo, who owns ACK Logistics, entered a plea of not guilty.
The case was adjourned to May 10 for trial, during which his legal representatives sought bail on grounds of Tembo’s stable residence and occupation. They assured the court of his willingness to adhere to any bail conditions imposed.
While the prosecution didn’t oppose bail, they requested the court to caution Tembo against tampering with witnesses.
Magistrate Chibwili, considering the non-opposition and the bailable nature of the charge, decided to grant bail, setting it at K100,000 in cash. Additionally, Tembo was required to provide two credible sureties residing in Lusaka, each bound by K500,000.
Further conditions included surrendering his passport to the senior clerk of court and refraining from interfering with prosecution witnesses throughout the trial period. Magistrate Chibwili ordered Tembo to remain in custody until he met these bail conditions.
Tembo managed to fulfill the K100,000 bail requirement on the same day.
This isn’t Tembo’s only legal entanglement, as he faces charges related to illegal mukula trading alongside others, currently being heard before Lusaka magistrate Irene Wishimanga.
Main Image:ZNBC
