By Chisomo Phiri
Former Secretary to the President and Cabinet,Colleen Zamba along with former cabinet ministers Sam Kawale and Sosten Gwengwe,were on Monday granted bail by Principal Resident Magistrate Benjamin Chulu following their arrest over allegations related to a government fertilizer contract.
The three officials are accused of misusing their offices in the awarding of a contract to East Bridge for the supply of fertilizer to government programs.
They appeared in court to be formally informed of the charges, which include conspiracy to commit a crime and individual charges of misuse of office.
Following the reading of charges, State prosecutor Prescott Mwayiulipo requested three weeks to prepare disclosures.
The defense, led by lawyer Khumbo Soko, did not object and instead applied for bail.
The State also raised no objection to the bail application.
Magistrate Chulu granted bail on the condition that each accused pays a K2 million bail bond, produces two sureties each bonded at K5 million (non-cash), reports to National Police Headquarters once a month, and surrenders all travel documents to the court.
The court also gave the State 21 days to prepare and serve the disclosures to the defense.
