Defence council finishes cross examining first state witness in maixe scandal

Lawyers of former minister of agriculture, irrigation and water development Dr George Chaponda and Rashid Tayub of Transglobe have finished cross examining first state witness in the maize scandal.

The defense council asked Mlumbe to clarify facts he has been presenting in court since Tuesday to justify his evidence.

Dr Chaponda is answering three charges of giving false information to Anti corruption Bureau, attempt to obtain advantage and possession of foreign currencies without proper documents while Tayub of persuading a public officer to offer a contract.

Mlumbe told the court that he was getting pressure from Dr Chaponda and Tayub to offer Transglobe a contract on the sell of 10000 metric tones of maize to ADMARC.

“Dr Chaponda called me many times asking ADMARC to offer a contract to Transglobe. He was not comfortable with non performance of Zambian suppliers on the same contract. The former agriculture Minister also warned me that if the hunger situation got out of hand him as the agriculture minister would not be responsible,” revealed Mlumbe.

He also disclosed that Transglobe officials had been seeking audience to persuade him to offer the contract.

Mlumbe presented email communications from both Chaponda and Transglobe as evidence before the court.

The state is expected to parade other 21 witnesses to testify against the accused.