Zambian High Court Grants Bail to Three Former Officials Jailed for Financial Crimes

The High Court and the Lusaka Magistrate’s Courts have released three former government officials who were recently jailed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Court.

Former Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Yamba was granted K500,000 bail pending an appeal against his three-year jail term. The bail is in his own recognizance, meaning no cash payment is required. Three judges ordered Mr. Yamba to provide three working sureties employed in the civil service or public service, who will be bound to the same K500,000 amount.

The judges granted bail after finding that Mr. Yamba had established exceptional circumstances compelling the court to release him. The court also considered the judgement from the lower court and the grounds of appeal presented. The ruling, endorsed by Judges Pixie Yangailo, Ian Mabbolobbolo, and Vincent Siloka, stated that the application for bail was therefore granted.

Mr. Yamba was jailed in September for the wilful failure to follow procedure in the purchase of a chancery for the Zambian Mission in Turkey. He appealed the decision and applied for bail, which was initially denied by the magistrate but granted by the High Court. He was jailed alongside former Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Malanji, who remains in custody.

The others granted bail are former Zambia Revenue Authority Commissioner General Kingsley Chanda and his co-accused, Callistus Kaoma. Magistrate Okoh granted Mr. Chanda K50,000 bail in his own recognizance, pending the determination of an appeal against his recent six-year jail term. Mr. Chanda and Mr. Kaoma were jailed for allegations of failing to follow procedure in the disposal of over 22 government vehicles. Mr. Kaoma will be released on the same conditions, which include providing two working sureties, each to be bound in the K50,000, in their own recognizance.