Minister testifies in secretary’s forgery case

RABECCA BANDA writes@SunZambianMinister of Labour and Social Security has told the Lusaka magistrates court that she discovered that her secretary stole K15,000 after receiving an sms showing that K15,000 had been debited from her bank account.This was during cross examination before magistrate Felix Kaoma.Nyembezi Masiye, 47, of Chilenje Township is charged with three counts of […]

Minister testifies in secretary’s forgery case
RABECCA BANDA writes@SunZambianMinister of Labour and Social Security has told the Lusaka magistrates court that she discovered that her secretary stole K15,000 after receiving an sms showing that K15,000 had been debited from her bank account.This was during cross examination before magistrate Felix Kaoma.Nyembezi Masiye, 47, of Chilenje Township is charged with three counts of forgery, uttering false documents and theft.It is alleged that on August 26 last year, Masiye, with intent to defraud and deceive, forged cheque number 000354 purporting to show that the signatory had paid her K15,000 when in fact it was false.In the second count, it is alleged that on October 10 last year, Masiye uttered the false cheque number 000354 to Indo Zambia Bank.In the third count, it is alleged that on the same date, Masiye stole K10,000 belonging to Minister of Labour and Social Security Joyce Simukoko.Masiye: after I deposited the 15,000 in my account, did I not inform you?Ms. Simukoko: No.Masiye: Do you remember saying that you did not have enough funds and that the cheque would bounce?Ms. Simukoko: That’s a joke. You are lying. My account always has enough money and if I would show you my bank balances you can see for yourself.Masiye: How much did I steal from you?Ms.simukoko: You stole K15,000.Masiye: How much was reversed at the bank?Ms. Simukoko: Everything was reversed at the bank.Masiye: in whose handwriting was the cheque written?Ms. Simukoko: it was my handwriting and it was a cheque of K5,000. Because I was in a hurry, I asked you fill in K5,000 in words.Masiye: Did you pay the beneficiaries after you reversed the transaction?Ms. Simukoko: NoMasiye: if I put it to you that it was a plan not pay them, what would you say?Ms.Simukoko: No.Masiye: when the theft occurred how long did it take you to report the matter?Ms.Simukoko: I can’t remember but it was after I realised it was fraud.Masiye: when did you discover that I allegedly stole from you?Ms.Simukoko: I was alerted by the bank that K15,000 had been debited from my accounts. After going to the bank and confirming the information, the transaction was reversed and later reported to the police. The Sun