Former Labour Minister Austin Liato asked the Lusaka magistrate’s court to adjourn his abuse of authority case because he is unwell.
Liato, 46, through one of his defence lawyers Patrick Mvunga asked senior resident magistrate David Simusamba to adjourn the case to another date because he has hypertension.
Mr Simusamba had on Monday, after Liato failed to appear before him, warned that he would proceed with the matter the following day with or without Liato‘s presence.
On Tuesday, he availed himself and two State witnesses testified that two hammermills were discovered at Liato’s Mwembeshi farm in 2011.
Liato is alleged to have, on or about June 8, 2010, being minister of Labour, abused authority of office by facilitating the sinking of two boreholes at his farm in Mwembeshi.
He is in the second count between May 14, 2010 and May 19, 2010, alleged to have abused the authority of his office by facilitating the diversion of two hammer mills meant for the people of Kaoma District.
But when the matter came up for continued trial yesterday, Liato, through Professor Mvunga, requested for an adjournment on grounds that he was sick.
Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) prosecutor James Mataliro did not object to the application.Mr Mataliro, however, informed Mr Simusamba that the next time the court would be sitting, the State would make an application requesting the court to move its sitting to DEC offices to view exhibits.
Mr Simusamba adjourned the case to October 1, 2013.
Meanwhile, a matter in which former Information and Broadcasting Services minister Ronnie Shikapwasha and two others are charged with diverting public media funds has been adjourned to September 6, 2013.
[Times of Zambia]
good tactics liato.but one day sorry you wil have to pay
He is obviously unwell with all that weight on him.
Women you have the responsibility of keeping your family healthy by what you are feeding them. All Liato needs to eat now is Kapenta, Mango and water, otherwise he will die without paying for his crimes.
Nubian princes, you are very right. Liato must abstain from carbohydrates, sugars and high fat protein foods. Further, he needs to get on an exercise regime, something simple for his size.
Otherwise, he will feed into the grave and all the cases would have been for nothing.
i think these lawyers bene mvunga are on to a gold mine,,,, just imagine in two years time they will be in business again defending the many pf characters! don’t know why i did not take law at unza
HONESTLY AT THE AGE OF 46 YOU ARE THIS FAT AND EVEN FAILING TO WALK ? THIS IS IRRESPONSIBILITY OF THE HIGHEST ORDER. HOW CAN SOMEONE WHO CANT NOT TAKE CARE OF HIMSELF BE ABLE TO CARE ABOUT THE PLIGHT OF POOR ZAMBIANS ?
The man was just fine when he was at Zesco.I don’t understand what he started taking.If he had concentrated on taking vegetables,Kapenta&beans he could have maintained his shape.
So another adjournment, despite the Judge threatening to proceed if accused fails to avail himself in a court of law. Judge should now proceed with this case, as it appears this accused ex politician is not in good health despite managing okay when his party was in power – strange. I see someone here delaying justice, & possibly leaving this earth a free man, similar to an ex- leader who plundered Government coffers, thereby reducing poor Zambians to poverty, & destitution, though he never got to pay for his wicked deeds. Another option should be the introduction of video link for serious cases of this nature. Surely if Zambia is to develop CRIME MUST NEVER PAY, otherwise all this talk of developing Zambia is useless Hogwash & forever will be a pipedream. Attend or be imprisoned
Ndeloleshafyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
coward hyena lives long
True the man is too fat and got difficulties to walk. What is the difference between him and GBM. Is it because GBM has no court cases?
So far no incident of blood pressure or sugar or admission to Indian hospital have been reported about GBM.
GBM (Kasaka kaunga) is fatter than this man but actively campaining to become president.
Strokes have badly hit these men. Konga the other day also had difficulties to walk due to stroke so is Liato. Yaba.
Agree with you & @ 2 Wangu ni Wangu. This man is making sad lame excuses, & it bleeds my heart. Do you honestly believe if he was poor citizen who stole a chicken from shoprite, to feed his starving children- (starvation caused by Liato’s economic sabotage actions), he’d still be walking the streets a free man?
No poor man uses his Low weight, illness status to dodge prison, when he was savy enough to commit the crime, & thus I urge the Judicial system to proceed with or without the accused & IF found guilty, should be locked up for Very Long
1. It will serve as a deterrent to any crooks thinking of defrauding Zambia. 2. It will serve as a Free weight reduction program (Honest)! thereby reducing his chances of heart disease + high blood pressure
Why is it that only a certain group of lawyers defend suspected criminals.
I have not read them anywhere prosecuting.
Do the offenders know they are the best lawyers who can defend them in criminal cases. It appears like all high profile criminal cases are defended by this group of lawyers. Why?
Check list of high profile cases currenlty in our courts of law and see the names of defence counsels (same names). Please help.
Is law more about human rights than morals?
I totally agree with you mwana
liato, a man who doesnt care abt cash.
Should these criminals be given any right of adjournment ..i say NO because they have become so heartlessly FAT at the expense of the poor citizens who have in other cases died due to poverty and hunger caused by gross theft of public funds meant for poverty elleviation. JUST CAGE HIM PLS
Sammy Bwalya,
It should be Gross eating of public resources thereby making him fatter than zamchicks.
He diverted the resources for the Barotse Land so that they can work against the Government of the day.
If the Linyumbwa whatever the name are reasonble let them attack this ***** of theirs LIATO than attacking and insulting innocent Zambians.
There are many such crooks in western province causing the people to suffer and in return work against the government. This is the man who wants to stand again under UPND – ticket? Please please UPND don’t. Better lose and maintain intergrit.
Mubarak in Egypt was in court in his ill state, in Zambia if it was a poor man nothing like that chaps are taken to court in their ill state and are saved by Judges requesting that they be taken to hospital. Classes in Zambia:- Laws for the rich and different laws for the poor. Look at every Rich or former minister arrests are always done at woodlands police station or Force Headquarters where cells even have mattress as they wait for bail.
Pa Z
This guy is 46? Is he the chap who buries his money while hospitals were languishing?