By Esther Chisola
The Lusaka Magistrate has found former Ministry of Agriculture permanent secretary Songowayo Zyambo and two others with a case to answer in a corruption charge of unsupplied fertilizer.
Zyambo is jointly charged with former principal agricultural economist Grey Mwale and former principal accountant Emmanuel Kabwe.
The three are facing one count of making payment from the public revenue for goods not supplied in full.
Allegations in the matter are that Zyambo, Kabwe and Mwale, being persons whose functions concerned the administration of public revenue between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021 in Lusaka, jointly and whilst acting together made payment to Neria Investments Limited from the public revenue for goods not supplied in full.
When the matter came up for ruling on case to answer on Tuesday, chief resident magistrate Davies Chibwili ruled that the state had proved its case.
“The state has proved its case and a prima facie case has been established. That being said, I therefore, place the trio on their defence,” ruled the court.
The matter comes up on December 18, 2024 for commencement of trial.
In November 2022, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) arrested Zyambo and two others for corruption involving US$131 million in a case of unsupplied fertilizer.
In a statement, ACC head of corporate communications Timothy Moono stated that Zyambo, Mwale and Kabwe signed a letter of confirmation to ZANACO stating that Neria Investments Limited had delivered 100 percent of D-Compound and Urea fertilizer according to the requirements of a contract when it had not done so.
