A PASTOR and 11 others have pleaded not guilty to eight counts of buying forged notes involving K100, 500 counterfeit notes.

In this case, Elijah Sinyangwe, 38, businessman of Jack Compound, Petronella Moyo, 37, business lady of Garden Compound, Martin Matafwali, 68, bishop of Kanyama compound, William Chocha, 48, a pastor of Kalingalinga area and Victor Kalichi, 39, driver of Kanyama Compound.

Others are Isaac Mumba, 22, Loti Phiri, 29, of Chawama compound, Sanny Milambo, 52, of Thornpark, Melvin Moyo, 52, Libala South, Samuel Chama, 60, Chinika area; Elijah Mbewe, 19, Jack Compound and Chakolela Nkhoma, 29, Jack Compound.

The accused are facing a charge of buying forged notes contrary to Section 358 of the Penal Code chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

Among the eight counts it is alleged that Mbewe, Moyo, Mumba, Phiri, Chocha, Kalichi, Milambo, Moyo, Chama and Matafwali between November 14 and 27, 2018, in Lusaka, with other unknown persons did buy 1, 000 pieces of K100 counterfeit notes without lawful authority.

When the matter came up before Lusaka magistrate Nthandose Chabala, the accused persons denied the charge.

The matter has been adjourned to March 25, 2019 for trial.

In another court, an unemployed man of N’gombe Township in Lusaka has been jailed 12-months imprisonment with hard labour for stealing a phone worth K1, 800.

Kennedy Mwanza, 22, is charged with theft contrary to section 272 of the Penal Code chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia pleaded guilty to theft.

Particulars are that on January 16, 2019, Mwanza stole Mr Howard Lungu’s Techno tablet worth K1, 800.

In passing sentence, Magistrate Nsunge Chanda yesterday told Mwanza that he needed to be punished because people work very hard to buy items such as phones.