Kabanshi’s lawyer asks for time to study her indictment before she takes plea 

By Staff Reporter
FORMER Community Development and Social Services minister Emerine Kabanshi’s lawyer this afternoon asked for time to study his clients amended charge sheet before she can take plea.
Kabanshi is charged with two counts of wilfully failure to comply with the law, applicable procedure relating to the Social Cash Transfer programme.
When the case was called before chief resident magistrate Lameck Mwale around 11:00 hours, the magistrate observed that the charge sheet appeared defective, prompting deputy chief state advocate Gracilia Mulenga to ask that the matter stands down to enable the prosecution amend it.
After few minutes, the matter was recalled and the prosecution informed the magistrate that the indictment had been amended.
However, when it was time for Kabanshi to take plea, her lawyer Katinda Mwale sought an adjournment to enable the defence study the indictment.
“We have just received the indictment, we need time to enable us study the charge sheet and advice our client appropriately at the next hearing,” he said.
The State did not object.
Magistrate Mwale adjourned the case to June 26 for plea.
According to the amended charge sheet, allegations are that Kabanshi between January 1 and August 21, 2017, being a minister in the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, did wilfully fail 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.
Count two alleges that Kabanshi between August 21, 2017 and April 26 this year, being a Minister in the Community Development and Social Services did wilfully fail to comply with the lawful applicable procedure or guidelines 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.
After Kabanshi’s arrest last month, the Drug Enforcement Commission issued a statement, alleging that Kabanshi in her official capacity as minister, jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, unduly influenced the engagement of Zambia Postal Services Corporation (ZAMPOST) as payment service provider under the Social Cash Transfer Programme  between January 1 and August, 21 2017.
Further allegations were that Kabanshi between August, 21 2017 and April, 26, 2018 allegedly abused her authority of office by directing the extension of the ZAMPOST scope of works under the  Social Cash Transfer Programme to include areas which were not covered in the initial contract.
The charges have since been amended.