Lusaka | September 30, 2026 – Lawyer and Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance Secretary General Celestine Mukandila has pleaded not guilty to four charges arising from allegations involving documents relating to the purported surrender of shares in ZRIMS Farm Limited.
Mukandila, 36, appeared before Hon. A. V. Holland at the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court today, where the four charges, two counts of forgery and two counts of uttering false documents, were read to him. He denied all the charges.

The prosecution alleges that Mukandila forged the signature of Yae(e)s Salim Sheth on documents purporting to show that Sheth had surrendered his shares in ZRIMS Farm Limited and subsequently presented the documents as genuine.
The charges are brought under Sections 347 and 352 of the Penal Code, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
Through his lawyers, Mukandila applied for bail. The State opposed the application, but the Court granted him cash bail of K20,000 with two working sureties.
The matter has been adjourned to October 13, 2026 for mention, with trial scheduled to commence on October 30, 2026.

The allegations before the Magistrates’ Court remain to be determined. Mukandila is presumed innocent unless and until proved guilty or he pleads guilty.