By SYLVESTER MWALE –
THE Voluntary Separatees Association of Zambia (VSAZ) has called on the police to explain what it termed the delay in prosecuting prominent Lusaka lawyer Nelly Mutti after arresting her on theft charges.

. Mutti

Ms Mutti was arrested and charged with 33 counts relating to theft and forgery in connection with the payment of more than K35.5 million to former Government employees under VSAZ.
The money was part of the Government’s release for retirees who left their employment under the voluntary separation in the late 1990s.
However, Ms Mutti is yet to appear in court more than 12 months after her arrest.
VSAZ general secretary Syachoke Simemeza has written to Inspector General of Police Stella Libongani seeking clarification on whether Ms Mutti had been cleared of the charges.
“Madam, we seek your proper position and indulgence in this matter if this person was cleared of all the 32 counts you arrested her for,” said Mr Simemeza in her letter dated March 16, 2015.
“It is strange on what is happening in this matter and in the interest of justice. Is it that this person has bought the whole law of Zambia and (is) too powerful that she cannot be made to appear in the courts of law?”
Mr Simemeza said the retirees were wondering whether Ms Mutti was reporting to Ms Libongani’s office to extend her police bond from last year when she was arrested.
He said the association also intended to apply to President Edgar Lungu to be joined as part of terms of reference in the tribunal to investigate suspended director of public prosecutions.
However, Deputy Inspector General of Police Malcom Mulenga assured, in response to Mr Simemeza’s letter, that the matter involving Ms Mutti was still active.
“I acknowledge receipt of your letter dated March 16, 2015 and your concerns therein have been noted,” said Mr Mulenga in his letter dated March 23, 2015.
“Kindly be informed that this matter is still active. The docket had been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for study after the arrest. The matter will soon be taken to court.”
The VSAZ and Ms Mutti have been at loggerheads since 2013 when the former retirees and the lawyer went separate ways before they opted for Robson Malipenga and Company as their legal advocates.
Last week, wrangles erupted on who should receive K8.9 million from the Government on behalf of three law firms.
Nicholas Okware of the Okware and Associates, Robson Malipenga from Robson Malipenga and Company as well Nelly Mutti of Lukona Chambers could not agree on who should receive the money on behalf of their clients.
The three law firms represented the former civil servants in their cases when they successfully sued the Government for underpayment of their terminal benefits.