Lusaka Magistrate Nsunge Chanda has ordered sureties for ADD leader Charles Milupi’s alleged maize swindler, Hendricks Nyambe, to present the accused before court next week, failure to which they should pay K100,000 each.

In this matter, Nyambe and Mercy Phiri are charged with theft.

It is alleged that Nyambe, a Director of Food Agency Zambia and his deputy, Mercy Phiri, on March 7, 2018 in Nkeyema district did steal 312,040 kilograms of white maize valued at K656,040 belonging to Milupi.

Three sureties signed K100,000 bail each for Nyambe who they however failed to ensure that he attends court.

And when the matter came up before magistrate Chanda, Thursday, senior public prosecutor Valerian Chulu told the court that Nyambe was absent.

And when magistrate Chanda asked the sureties to explain where the accused whose bail was once revoked for absconding court was, Rodger Kanyama, one of the three sureties present, told the court that Nyambe was involved in a road accident and was admitted to Kaoma General Hospital.

Kanyama however added that he was not sure if Nyambe was still admitted there.

But magistrate Chanda reminded the sureties that they were bound to ensure that Nyambe was before court.

She added that she was not satisfied with Kanyama’s explanation.

“I am not satisfied with your explanation. All I want is the accused to be before me,” magistrate Chanda said.

At this point, Chulu said the State would instruct officers to travel to Kaoma to confirm whether Nyambe was indeed in the hospital.

“The court had directed that the accused should be here and we are ready to go to Kaoma,” he said.

Magistrate Chanda then ordered Kanyama to look for Nyambe and bring him to court on Monday next week or pay the K100,000 which was part of the accused’s bail conditions.

“I do not want you to regret when I make my order for you to pay K100,000 failure to which you will go to jail,” she said.

Magistrate Chanda then adjourned the matter to May 20, for return of summons and extended the accuseds bail.