Court Hears Testimony on IBA Funds Deposited into Murder Accused’s Accounts

The Lusaka High Court has heard detailed testimony outlining how funds linked to the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) were deposited into bank accounts associated with one of the accused in the murder of IBA Director General Guntila Muleya.

The evidence emerged during the ongoing trial of four men — police officers M’Thusani Dokowe and Caleb Zulu, systems engineer Samuel Basa Dokowe, and accountant Francis Chipyoka — who are facing charges of abduction and murder in connection with Muleya’s death in July 2024.

Muleya was abducted and later discovered fatally shot in the Njolwe area of Chongwe. Prior to his death, he had reportedly commissioned an audit into the IBA’s financial operations.

Testifying before the court, Zanaco bank official Kamwenje Kayang’a provided an account of substantial financial transactions processed through a company account for which Samuel Basa Dokowe was a signatory. She stated that multiple deposits, each amounting to K487,356.51, were made into the account in June 2024.

According to her testimony, one such deposit was recorded on June 3, 2024, followed by a withdrawal of K300,000 the following day. Additional withdrawals were executed shortly thereafter. A second deposit in the same amount was made on June 7, with significant sums again withdrawn either on the same day or within days of receipt.

Kayang’a told the court that some deposits were labeled in a manner suggesting they were payments to the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), though the funds were credited to the account linked to Dokowe. She further disclosed that the account facilitated international transactions, including one valued at K90,287.83, and that some expenditures were recorded in Johannesburg.

The court heard that deposits of identical or near-identical amounts continued through June and July, with substantial withdrawals or transfers occurring shortly after each transaction. Kayang’a clarified that her role was limited to verifying the authenticity of the transactions, not determining their underlying purpose.

In separate testimony, Indo Zambia Bank official Choolwe Solomon Hamweemba provided details concerning another account held in Dokowe’s name. He stated that this account also received large deposits, some of which originated from the IBA, while others were labeled “Independent BRO.”

Hamweemba testified that funds deposited into this account were frequently withdrawn within hours or days, often through substantial cash withdrawals. He cited an example from September 2023, when a deposit of K676,590.01 was made, followed shortly thereafter by withdrawals of K275,000, K328,000, and K54,000.

According to his evidence, the majority of deposits into the account appeared to originate from the IBA or related entities.

The prosecution has suggested that the financial transactions may form part of the broader context surrounding Muleya’s murder, particularly in light of the audit he had reportedly ordered prior to his death.

The trial continues before the Lusaka High Court.