RB’s case fails to take off

The case in which former President Rupiah Banda is charged with corrupt practices by public officer and concealing gratification of motor vehicles was today mentioned before Magistrate Lameck Ng’ambi.

Mr. Banda was not present in court because he is still out for his medical check-up in South Africa.

The matter was coming up for continuation of trial today.

Mr. Banda’s defense lawyers informed the court that their client was in South Africa for medication.

The former President is charged with corrupt practices by public officer contrary to section 19(2) as read with section 40 of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 38 of the laws of Zambia.

It is alleged that in the first count, between 1^st January 2011 and 30^th  August 2011 as the President of Zambia did corruptly receive ten motor vehicles as gratification from Sogecoa Zambia Limited and Construction and Engineering Investment Limited as an inducement or
reward for himself in return for his favourable treatment of the two companies’ dealings with the government.

In the second count, it alleged that Banda between 1^st January 2011 and 30^th August 2011 received nine motor vehicles which were received as gratification from Sogecoa Zambia Limited and Sogecao Construction and Engineering Investment and concealed the receipt of the motor
vehicles by having them registered in names of people closely connected to him.

And in the third count, it is alleged that Sogecoa Zambia Limited and Sogecao Construction and Engineering Investment Limited between 1^st January 2011 and 30^th August 2011 jointly and while acting together with others unknown did corruptly give ten motor vehicles to former
President Rupiah Banda as gratification or reward for himself in return for his favourable treatment of the companies in their dealings with government when he was still the republican President.

The matter has since been adjourned to 18^th March 2014.