MULENGA MUSONDA writes
@SunZambianA pharmacy Technologist and two businessmen have been arraigned in the Choma Magistrates Court for operating a Pharmacy illegally.Lawrence Makumba,30, a Pharmacist at Choma General Hospital jointly and whilst acting together with Bwalya Chitambwetambwe , 27, and Brown Kabila , 26, both Businessmen are charged with operating an Unregistered Pharmacy contrary to the Laws of Zambia.Allegations are that the three jointly and whilst acting together operated a Pharmacy without a license issued in respect thereof.The three were apprehended on September 4, 2020 and have remained on Police bond.When the matter came up for plea before Resident Magistrate Ethel Phiri, they all without coercion admitted the charge levelled against them compelling the Court to record a plea of guilty.However matter could not proceed into Facts after Public Prosecutor Dexter Kwalela applied for an adjournment to have the statement typed.The pharmacy Technologist and two of his Associates have been convicted and fined K2,000 each by the Choma Magistrates Court for operating an illegal Pharmacy.Lawrence Makumba,30, a Pharmacist at Choma General Hospital jointly and whilst acting together with Bwalya Chitambwetambwe ,27, and Brown Kabila ,26, both Businessmen stood charged with operating an Unregistered Pharmacy contrary to the Laws of Zambia.Particulars of the offence are that the three jointly and whilst acting together operated a Pharmacy without a license issued in respect there of.When the matter came up for Facts before Resident Magistrate Ethel Phiri, the three accused persons admitted to the statement as a true reflection of what transpired.According to the Facts stated by Public Prosecutor Dexter Kwalela, the three were apprehended in Choma by Zambia Medicine Regulatory Authority Inspectors in the course of their duty on September 7, 2020.This happened at Makalanguzu Market where the Pharmacy (Sky Medic) was operating without certification from ZAMRA.In mitigation the three through their Lawyer Melissa Mulubwa from Legal Aid Board begged the Court for lenience and stated that they were in the process of formalising things before the incident occurred.Magistrate Phiri fined the three K2,000 each and in default to serve 6 months simple imprisonment.
The three were reminded of their right to appeal to the High Court within 14 days if they were not happy with the ruling.
