A ZAMBIA National Commercial Bank (ZANACO) branch manager yesterday told the court that his branch received a cheque from Chibombo District Council amounting to K75 million.

Mr John Phiri testifying during continued trial told principal resident magistrate Aridah Chuulu that the bank received cheques which needed to be cleared from the head office and among them was number 334 which was issued by Chibombo District Council.

He said the cheque amounting to K75 million was paid to God Provides Spare Parts on April 22, 2010.

This is in a matter in which Chisamba Member of Parliament (MP) Moses Muteteka, 41, of Lusaka's Ibex Hill is charged with one count of theft of a motor vehicle.

It is alleged that Muteteka on May 24, 2010 in Lusaka stole a motor vehicle, a Mitsubishi Fuso light truck registration number ABX 3529, valued at K75 million.

The truck is a property of Chibombo District Council in Chisamba Constituency and registered it in his name.

Mr Phiri told the court that the bank usually keeps the cheques including the one at hand while the bank statement was in the custody of the customer.

"The cheque received by the bank was already cleared and it was debited in the account of Chisamba Constituency number 0080210000000922. I oversee the daily activities of Zanaco like deposits, withdrawals and other duties," he said.

In cross examination he insisted that the cheque was payable to God Provides Spare Parts and that it was already cleared.

And the defence has not objected to the production of the cheque and a copy of the bank statement as part of evidence which had been admitted.

Trial continues on December 7 and 12, this year