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Ex-Defence Minister, Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba, has been found with a case to answer by the Economic and Financial crimes court in alleged matter of stealing public funds.
Bwalya is facing 24 counts, which includes conflict of interest, money laundering and being in possession of property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.
Magistrate Sandford Ngobola in his ruling on Wednesday said the court had analysed the evidence adduced by prosecution and also considered defense’s submission and it found a prima facie case against the accused.
In this matter, Mwamba pleaded not guilty to eight counts of conflict of interest, one count of money laundering and 15 counts of being in possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime.
Magistrate Ngobola further ruled that the evidence of all the 22 prosecution witness proved beyond reasonable doubt according to the evidence adduced.
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“I have analysed the evidence adduced by prosecution and also considered defense’s submission and I have find a prima facie case against the accused for the offence of conflict of interest, money laundering charge and being in possession of property suspected to proceeds of crime,” he said.
However, the defense team said they were ready for defense and their client would give sworn evidence.
Earlier, one of the witnesses, an investigative officer at the Anti-corruption commission (ACC ) Masautso Mwale testified before the court that he established that Curzon global Limited transferred U$399,985 to former defence Minister through Arizona Marketing and Distributors.
He also testified that Mwamba through Arizona Marketing and Distributors had transferred U$60,000 to Curzon Global Limited Hongkong.
Another investigator at the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) Kombe Mugala testified that payments amounts totalling to about k104 million was discovered in an account domicile at Atlas Mara belonging to Curzon Global Limited Zambia.
It is alleged in count one that Mwamba on unknown date but between December 27, 2012 and March 31, 2013 in Lusaka, being a public officer, namely, Minister of Defence, did fail to disclose interest in writing, relating to Contract No. MPC 111-12 for the supply and delivery of General Purpose Shelter Tents for Zambia Army, valued at US$ 1,220,000.00, a transaction that concerns the Ministry of Defence, a public body.
It is alleged in count two that Mwamba on unknown date but between January 1, 2013, and July 30, 2013, in Lusaka, being a public officer, namely, Minister of Defence, did fail to disclose interest in writing, relating to Contract No. MPC 024-2013 for the supply and delivery of Military Uniforms for Zambia Army, valued at US$1,208,575.00, a transaction that concerns the Ministry of Defence, a public body.
Details in count three, it is alleged that Mwamba on unknown date but between January 1, 2013, and September 30, 2013, in Lusaka, being a public officer, namely, Minister of Defence, did fail to disclose interest in writing, relating to Contract No. MPC 003-2013 for the supply and delivery of Specialised Watermanship Equipment for Zambia Army, valued at US$4,293,264.00, a transaction that concerns the Ministry of Defence, a public body.
The court has set March 1, 2 and 3, 2023 for commencement of defense.
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