Woman Denies Charges in Land Dispute, Claims Innocence in Document Fraud Case

 Lata Jehendra Shah, wife of businessman Shah Jayendra Kumar Chihanganlal, faced court this week in a case surrounding an alleged fraudulent land purchase, defending her role as a supportive family member in what she claims was a legitimate transaction for their son.

This is in a case where  Israel Mushoke, Shah Jayendra Kumar Chihanganlal, and Lata Jehendra Shah all of Livingstone.

They face charges of making false statements and entering private property without permission.

Israel Mushoke, 54, and Shah Jayendra Kumar Chihanganlal, 65, are accused of misleading a government officer, George Susiku Sindila, into signing a document related to land in Livingstone between January and June 2022. They also face charges of trespassing on private property with intent to commit an offense.

Lata Jehendra Shah, a 60-year-old businesswoman, is also implicated in these activities.

The defendants are represented by lawyers from Swizt Mweemba and Associates.

According to Shah testifying before magistrate Kahoyi Mushabati that her husband initially approached her in early 2022 about buying a piece of land along Sichango Road, near Batoka Sky.

“He mentioned the location, and I told him, if you like it, go ahead and buy it,” she explained.

After family discussions, they decided to purchase the plot in their son’s name.

“We talked with our son, and he agreed,” she said. “He trusted us to move forward with the purchase.”

Shah explained that she became more involved in the transaction after her husband injured his hand and was unable to sign.

 At his request, she signed the contract on his behalf, acting on her husband’s assurance that all documents were in order.

She recalls meeting Israel Mushoke, the individual selling the land, who provided her husband with official documents related to the property.

Shah expressed her shock when the police summoned her in May 2022, arresting her on charges of fraudulently obtaining documents.

 “I was completely surprised. I knew nothing about any fraud,” she said.

Shah maintains that her only role was signing the contract on behalf of her husband and son, trusting her husband’s due diligence.

In her defense, Shah denies all charges of document fraud. “I had no knowledge of any issues with the land,” she stated firmly.

 “I was only fulfilling my husband’s request to sign the contract on behalf of our son.”

Businessman Defends Land Purchase as Fraud Accusations Unfold

A businessman Shah Jayendra Kumar Chihanganlal appeared in court firmly denying allegations of fraud and criminal trespass linked to his purchase of a plot of land in Livingstone.

This is in a case where Israel Mushoke, Shah Jayendra Kumar Chihanganlal, and Lata Jehendra Shah all of Livingstone.

They face charges of making false statements and entering private property without permission.

Israel Mushoke, 54, and Shah Jayendra Kumar Chihanganlal, 65, are accused of misleading a government officer, George Susiku Sindila, into signing a document related to land in Livingstone between January and June 2022. They also face charges of trespassing on private property with intent to commit an offense.

Lata Jehendra Shah, a 60-year-old businesswoman, is also implicated in these activities.

The defendants are represented by lawyers from Swizt Mweemba and Associates.

Chihanganlal contends before Livingstone magistrate Kahoyi Mushabati that he recounted how he first learned about the land deal.

“In March 2022, Ian approached me with information about a piece of land for sale along Sichango Road, next to Batoka Sky Limited,” he said.

 After consulting with his family, Chihanganlal decided to proceed with the purchase in his son's name.

He then met with Ian and Mushoke, the seller, who showed him the property and presented documents, including the land’s certificate of title and survey diagram.

“Mushoke showed me the boundaries, and I confirmed the location,” Chihanganlal said, adding that the land appeared free of any prior encumbrances.

Chihanganlal finalised the deal after negotiating a price of 1.2 million kwacha.

“I reviewed the documents and found everything in order,” he noted.

 With his right hand fractured at the time, he asked his wife to sign the sale contract on their son’s behalf, and the deal was witnessed by Ian.

Chihanganlal says the payment was then transferred from his joint account with his wife.

Despite the apparently smooth transaction, complications emerged months later.

In August 2022, a friend contacted Chihanganlal, asserting ownership of the plot.

“I provided him with the title document, but later, Livingstone Police began investigating Mushoke regarding the same plot,” he said.

In November, both Chihanganlal and his wife were summoned to the police station, where he was informed of charges including criminal trespass and fraudulently obtaining documents.

 

Chihanganlal maintains his innocence, stating that he did not know of any competing claims over the plot.

“I was shocked and surprised by my arrest and never had the chance to explain how I acquired Plot 3099 for my son,” he told the court.

 Chihanganlal spent several hours in police detention before being released on bond, only to have his wife subsequently charged with obtaining documents fraudulently.

Through his lawyer, Chihanganlal asserted that he conducted due diligence prior to the purchase.

“I had verification done, and I have the report to prove it,” he testified.

“I deny the charges against me. I only know Plot 3099, and I bought it in good faith,” he said.

Defendant Denies Charges, Claims Property Deal Followed Legal Process

Livingstone businessman has told the court that his actions to sale his plot were lawful, with no intent to mislead, and that the accusations are baseless.

This is in a case where Israel Mushoke, Shah Jayendra Kumar Chihanganlal, and Lata Jehendra Shah all of Livingstone.

They face charges of making false statements and entering private property without permission.

Israel Mushoke, 54, and Shah Jayendra Kumar Chihanganlal, 65, are accused of misleading a government officer, George Susiku Sindila, into signing a document related to land in Livingstone between January and June 2022. They also face charges of trespassing on private property with intent to commit an offense.

Lata Jehendra Shah, a 60-year-old businesswoman, is also implicated in these activities.

The defendants are represented by lawyers from Swizt Mweemba and Associates.

In a defense before Livingstone magistrate Kahoyi Mushabati, Mushoke, one of three defendants accused of trespass and fraud in a high-profile land case, firmly denied allegations of wrongdoing.

 Mushoke asserted that he followed legal protocols in selling his property and stated that accusations of deception were unfounded.

Mushoke explained that he had been unaware of any alleged encumbrances or irregularities affecting the property, designated as plot LIV 3099, at the time of sale.

 "The accusations are false," he said. "I did not manipulate or procure the signing of any document."

According to Mushoke, the property in question was intended for sale to help finance his father's medical treatment in India.

He testified that he provided all required identification documents, including his title deed, to potential buyer Shah Jayendra Kumar Chihanganlal, who later confirmed the documents' authenticity through a verification process with the Ministry of Lands.

 "I was told the documents were in order, and we could proceed with the transaction," he stated.

The agreed sale price of 1.2 million kwacha was settled, and a contract for the sale was drawn up and signed, with Mushoke as the seller and Chihanganlal’s representative as the buyer.

 Mushoke maintained that the transaction followed all necessary steps, including securing a consent for assignment from the Ministry of Lands and paying the 5 per cent property transfer tax to the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA).

 "A tax certificate was issued to me for LIV 3099, confirming compliance," he said.

However, Mushoke said he was later accused by police of trespassing on a property owned by others and of forging the signature of George Susiku, a government officer.

"I deny these charges. I do not know George, and his signature is not on my documents," he told the court.

Mushoke further stated that he was detained for 15 days, later transferred to Lusaka, and held for three days without food, where he claims he was denied access to the Ministry of Lands.

Mushoke reiterated that he had followed the correct procedures, noting that he had acquired land through the Ministry of Lands multiple times without issue.

"I am familiar with the process, and I adhered to it strictly," he said, emphasizing that he had never encountered George or his signature on any official documents.

The case has been adjourned until November 29, 2024, for judgement.

 

 

 

Zambia’s Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport Wins Top Regional Award

The Zambia Airports Corporation Limited (ZACL) is delighted to announce that Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport (SMKIA) has been honored with the title of "Best International Airport – Regional" for Southern Africa at the prestigious World Luxury Travel Awards 2024.

 The award was presented during a gala ceremony at AYANA Bali in Indonesia.

The World Luxury Travel Awards, established in 2006, are recognized as a premier benchmark in the luxury travel industry. 

They offer international recognition to institutions chosen through voting by guests, travelers, and industry professionals alike. 

Every year, over 300,000 international travelers cast their votes over a four-week period to select the award winners. 

This award reflects the global admiration and support for Zambia's travel industry, as SMKIA stood out among regional competitors.

statement issued by Mrs. Monde Wood Yamalezi, ZACL's Acting Communications and Brand Manager, ZACL extended its gratitude to everyone who voted in support of Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport. 

"This accolade," Mrs. Yamalezi stated, "reflects ZACL's commitment to enhancing Zambia's aviation landscape and reaffirms SMKIA's dedication to delivering exceptional service to travelers from around the world."

About Zambia Airports Corporation Limited

Founded in 1989 through the amendment of Zambia’s Aviation Act, ZACL operates under the legal framework of the Aviation Act No. 5 of 2016 and is incorporated under the Companies Act No. 10 of 2017. ZACL is responsible for the development, maintenance, and management of Zambia's four designated international airports: Kenneth Kaunda in Lusaka, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe in Ndola, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula in Livingstone, and Mfuwe, as well as select provincial aerodromes. ZACL also provides Air Navigation Services within Zambian airspace.

Livingstone Activist Demands End to Spousal Rape and Sexual Abuse in African Homes

Social worker Joseph Moyo is taking a stand on one of Africa’s silent crises: the prevalence of forced sex within marriages and relationships, a practice he calls "a hidden epidemic" that’s far too often dismissed under cultural norms. 

As founder of the African Woman Foundation, Moyo is determined to change the narrative around intimate partner abuse, stressing that “forced sex within marriage is not just wrong—it’s a human rights violation.”

Moyo’s rallying cry, “Women are not trophies,” is directed at harmful societal beliefs that normalize men’s entitlement to their partners' bodies. 

“Men should never view women as trophies to hunt, collect, and use at will,” Moyo asserted, emphasizing that women's bodies are their own and should only be accessed with clear, mutual consent.

 He calls for widespread education, both for women to recognize that forced sex in any form is abuse, and for men to understand that respect is paramount.

Through research with the African Woman Foundation, Moyo revealed that over 90% of women in certain African communities have experienced intimate partner sexual abuse but often remain silent, believing such treatment to be normal. 

This silence, Moyo argues, is perpetuated by cultural myths that women exist to satisfy men’s desires. 

“Sex is not about women ‘feeding’ men,” he says. “It’s an act that requires both parties to be prepared, willing, and consenting.”

But Moyo isn’t stopping with just awareness. 

He calls for stronger laws to protect women, urging governments to enforce spousal rape laws, impose tougher penalties, and launch national campaigns challenging cultural beliefs that condone abuse. 

In his view, both community education and stricter policies are critical to ending this cycle of violence.

Moyo’s message also highlights the economic angle of abuse, noting that poverty often increases vulnerability for women and girls. 

He argues that lifting women out of poverty, coupled with comprehensive education, can help curb such abuse. His mantra rings loud and clear: 

“The value of women is not in sex or childbearing, but in what they can achieve when empowered to contribute to society.”

For Moyo, change begins in the household. 

He urges families to raise boys to respect women’s boundaries and to empower girls to control their own bodies. 

“We must stop teaching girls that their bodies exist for men’s pleasure,” Moyo said, adding that only through such shifts can we protect the dignity, rights, and autonomy of women across Africa.

With calls for action echoing across Zambia, Moyo’s crusade is one of courage, challenging the very foundation of norms that have long kept women in silence. 

As he says, “The time for change is now—women deserve respect, and they deserve the right to live free from abuse.”

Livingstone Tycoon and Co-Accused Ordered to Defend Themselves in Court

Livingstone Magistrate Kahoyi Mushabati has said that the three people accused in a court case need to give their side of the story.

The case involves Israel Mushoke, Shah Jayendra Kumar Chihanganlal, and Lata Jehendra Shah. 

They are accused of lying and entering private property without permission. 

Israel Mushoke (54 years old) and Shah Jayendra Kumar Chihanganlal (65 years old) are accused of tricking a government officer, George Susiku Sindila, into signing a paper for land in Livingstone between January and June 2022.

 They are also charged with going onto other people's land without permission, trying to commit a crime.

Lata Jehendra Shah, a 60-year-old businesswoman, is also accused of being part of these activities. 

The three people have lawyers from Swizt Mweemba and Associates.

Magistrate Mushabati said he looked at all the evidence and believes the accused need to explain themselves. 

They will now have a chance to tell their side and can call witnesses to help them.

The defense team asked for more time to prepare, so the judge moved the case to November 1, 2024.

The fight govt and the church

 ### Analysis of the Zambian Government’s Conflict with Archbishop Alick Banda of Lusaka: Implications for the Holy See and Pathways to Dialogue

The ongoing conflict between the Zambian government and Archbishop Alick Banda of Lusaka highlights a complex struggle between state power and religious authority. Archbishop Banda, a prominent figure in Zambia's Catholic Church, has been vocal on social justice issues, often challenging government policies. This standoff has significant implications for the Holy See and poses strategic questions for the Zambian government regarding how best to engage in dialogue with Church leadership.

#### **Implications for the Holy See**

1. **Moral Authority and Global Influence**: The Holy See, as the central governing body of the Catholic Church, monitors conflicts involving its bishops closely. An attack on a high-ranking figure like Archbishop Banda is seen as an affront to the Church’s moral authority, not just in Zambia but globally. The Vatican’s response to such conflicts is typically measured but steadfast, emphasizing the Church’s commitment to social justice, human rights, and the protection of its clergy.

2. **Solidarity Among Clergy**: The Holy See’s support for Archbishop Banda could strengthen his position and unite clergy and laity in his defense. Historically, the Church has shown resilience in the face of state opposition, as seen in Poland’s resistance against communism in the 1980s, where Pope John Paul II’s support for local clergy galvanized a broader social movement. Similarly, support from the Vatican could embolden Archbishop Banda and his priests, complicating government efforts to undermine his influence.

3. **International Perception and Diplomatic Relations**: The conflict between a government and a prominent Catholic leader can attract international scrutiny, impacting diplomatic relations with the Holy See and other countries with significant Catholic populations. The Holy See’s stance on human rights and its moral leadership role mean that it often aligns with local bishops against perceived injustices, potentially drawing negative attention to the government on the global stage.

#### **Historical Precedents of Church-State Conflicts**

1. **The Role of the Catholic Church in Poland**: During the Cold War, the Polish government’s efforts to suppress the Catholic Church backfired as the Church, under the leadership of figures like Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński and Pope John Paul II, became a focal point for resistance. The Church’s alignment with the people against the state’s oppression highlighted the risks governments face when challenging religious authorities.

2. **Liberation Theology in Latin America**: In countries like Brazil and El Salvador, the Catholic Church’s advocacy for the poor and marginalized, inspired by liberation theology, often put it at odds with authoritarian governments. Attempts to silence bishops and priests only served to amplify their message and galvanize international support, illustrating the difficulty of suppressing a Church that operates with moral conviction.

3. **Apartheid in South Africa**: The Catholic Church was instrumental in opposing apartheid, with clergy often defying government orders and standing in solidarity with the oppressed. Governments attempting to coerce or divide Church leadership faced strong backlash, not just domestically but internationally, as the Church’s stance against racial injustice resonated worldwide.

#### **Pathways to Dialogue: Options for the Zambian Government**

1. **Engaging in Constructive Dialogue**: The Zambian government should prioritize dialogue with Archbishop Banda and the Catholic Church. This approach involves recognizing the Church’s role as a stakeholder in societal issues and seeking common ground on policies affecting the public. A conciliatory approach, rather than confrontation, can help diffuse tensions and foster cooperation.

2. **Establishing a Joint Social Justice Task Force**: Creating a platform where Church leaders and government officials can collaborate on social issues could be a practical step. By working together on shared concerns, such as poverty alleviation, healthcare, and education, both parties can build trust and address societal challenges more effectively.

3. **Respecting the Church’s Independence**: The government must respect the Church’s autonomy and its role in advocating for social justice. Attempts to suppress or coerce Church leaders are likely to strengthen their resolve rather than weaken it. Instead, the government could engage with the Church in ways that acknowledge its contributions to national development.

4. **Leveraging the Holy See’s Diplomatic Channels**: The Holy See’s established diplomatic channels offer a unique opportunity for dialogue. Engaging with the Vatican’s diplomatic representatives in Zambia can help mediate disputes and facilitate conversations that align with both the Church’s moral teachings and the government’s policy goals.

#### **Conclusion**

The conflict between the Zambian government and Archbishop Alick Banda reflects broader tensions between state authority and religious moral leadership. For the Zambian government, defeating an archbishop through division among priests or coercive measures is unlikely to succeed and may have severe repercussions, both domestically and internationally. Instead, history suggests that constructive dialogue, mutual respect, and collaboration on shared goals offer a more effective pathway to resolving conflicts and advancing social justice in Zambia.