Former Minister of Community Development and Social Services Emerine Kabanshi has pleaded not guilty to two charges of willful failure to comply with the law or guideline in relation to the Social Cash Transfer programme.
Kabanshi was arrested last month by the Joint Investigations Team comprising the Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit of the Drug Enforcement Commission and the Anti-Corruption Commission and has been appearing before Lusaka Resident Magistrate Lameck Mwale.
She’s been charged with two counts of willful failure to comply with the law, applicable procedure or guideline relating to procurement contrary to Section 34(2)(b) of the Anti-Corruption Act No.3 of 2012 of the Laws of Zambia.
It is alleged in the first count that between January 1, 2017 and August 21, 2017, Kabanshi, as minister in the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, willfully failed to comply with the law, applicable procedure or guidelines relating to procurement in engaging Zambia Postal Services Corporation as a payment service provider for the Social Cash Transfer programme.
It is further alleged in the second count that between August 21, 2017 and April 26, 2018, in Lusaka, Kabanshi, being a Minister of Community Development and Social Services, willfully failed to comply with the law, applicable procedure or guideline relating to procurement in amending the contract between the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services and the Zambia Postal Services Corporation for the Social Cash Transfer programme.
When the matter came up for plea before magistrate Mwale, Wednesday, Kabanshi denied both charges.
She is represented by Katindo Mwale and Jonas Zimba of Makebi Zulu Advocates.
The matter comes up on August 13, 2019 for commencement of trial.
