The Chief Resident Magistrate’s Court in Lilongwe has granted bail to former Secretary to the President and Cabinet Colleen Zamba, who is facing charges of abuse of office.
Zamba is accused of approving the recruitment of 300 people into the civil service without following proper government procedures during the 2022/2023 financial year.
She has not yet entered a plea, while the State requested 14 days to complete its investigations.
The court ordered Zamba to surrender her Area 43 house as bail bond and not interfere with witnesses while the case proceeds.
Zamba’s lawyer, Ayuba James, criticised the State’s proposed bail conditions as too harsh.
“The conditions proposed by the State were too punitive, particularly the requirement for her to report to National Police Headquarters every Monday. We argued that this was unfair and suggested she report once every two weeks. The court agreed.
“We submitted that it was unnecessary for her to pledge her property because the offence is a minor one. But the court disagreed and maintained the property must be attached. In exchange, there will be no sureties. The property itself is now the security,” said James.
Zamba was arrested on Wednesday at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe.