Former President Rupiah Banda’s son, Andrew, who was last week convicted of corruption charges, is facing fresh charges for alleged theft involving more than K1 million.Police in Lusaka have since recorded a warn and caution statement from him.
Andrew, who was last week sentenced to two years in prison for soliciting a bribe from an Italian investor, Fratelli Locci SRI Limited, was on Monday driven from Lusaka Central Prison to police headquarters where he was interrogated for about two hours.
Police spokesperson Charity Chanda confirmed in an interview yesterday that Andrew was warned and cautioned for theft by director contrary to the law.
“Yes he was warned and cautioned yesterday for theft by director contrary to section 279 charter 87 of the Laws of Zambia read with section 21(1)c,” Ms Chanda said.
Andrew is alleged to have received cement worth K1, 077, 799, 100 (unrebased) from Zambezi Portland Cement Limited pretending that he had paid for it through the provision of consultancy services when in fact not.
The incident happened between August 2010 and December 2011.
Further information alleges that after Andrew got the cement from the cement firm, the amount was later written off the company books in unclear circumstances.
During the probe, Andrew informed the investigation officers that the transaction with Zambezi Portland Cement Limited was genuine and that he had delivery invoices to show for them.
Andrew is, however, said to have not produced the invoices despite subjecting the police to a long wait for them since the investigation into the matter opened.
Meanwhile, Lusaka chief resident magistrate Joshua Banda yesterday granted Andrew K10, 000 cash bail pending his appeal to the High Court against his two-year jail sentence.
Mr Banda ordered that Andrew should further provide two working sureties in the like sum but in their own recognisance.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)’s chambers had, however, objected to Andrew being granted bail, saying there were no exceptional circumstances to warrant granting him bail.
But Mr Banda in his ruling yesterday stated that there was a notice of appeal filed by Andrew and that the discretion of granting or not granting bail lay with the court.
Mr Banda said the State did not show that Andrew was a flight risk and as such, the court was releasing him from prison on bail.
[Times of Zambia]
PF persecuting the former first family! I feel so bad about what Sata and Nchito are doing to the Banda family.
No. law is taking its course but what Zambians are worried about is the selective nature of Sata’s anticorruption fight and all we wait come 2016 is to see how Mulenga Sata will explain how he bought a house for K6 billion and demolished it to build a mansion on it. We wait to hear what goes on behind RDA in detail etc.
The is law is very clear…if you don’t want to be involved in such issues like most of us…abide by the law.
What a shame
The first family of thieves, plunderers, economic looters and saboteurs
Finally the long arm of the law has caught up with them
Stop screaming and shouting persecution but have the courage to face justice in the same way you stole and screwed zambians
Ex-momma, before you feel sorry for a wounded person, ask them how they sustained it. When such happens you pause and let “the law run it’s course”. Then in postmortem we can say something. It is too early now.
It’s high time Andrew and his father RB the Retarded Buffalo were sent to the gallows. Time will catch up with you all including James. We need more air in this place and Mr Toadface keeps sucking it up. We’re almost suffocating.
@no way you were paid off after the pool incidence what next? If you need more medicine supplies please ask in the normal way. You small kantemba is booming so what is it you want. If you have information about the crimes of the Banda Clan please supply it to the cops.
Yes the law is taking its course. Can’t wait for Sata and his cronies’ time! Wina azalila.
Just as reviewed by Zambia Watchdog the other day that, Andrew was to be charged with fresh charges. Again ZWD has been vindicated.
No one is above the LAW , even the so called former first FAMILY, but iam dIsapointed that the boy is OUT , WE don’t want him to unite all the opposition parties and fight PF in 2016, so make sure that he goes back and comes out after ERECTIONS in 2016
How many erections do you have? You are on the wrong forum – fuma apa!
Yes after ERECTIONS,so what ? Namufulwa?
ala ne fikopo fila yumfwa!!
Ala ne fikopo fila yumfwa.
Yes all animals are equal.He must answer charges if he truly broke the law.
If the man broke the law then he should answer the charges. Let him be prosecuted so that a very good warning is sent to PF MPs and children of Sata. Know that we are recoding all your corrupt deals. Naimwe mukashana pelete if indeed you are stealing from poor Zambians.
Peace and Prosperity to Mother Zambia.
Let Andrew serve and test the prison for two years. I knew that other judge will let him out. Poor poeple are in prison and rich are free people. where is Justice my God? is it just of the rich people? answer me. I will not vote if these corruptions continues like that
#1 ex-moma,
I don’t agree with you, it has been proved in the courts that the so-called former first family plundered the nation’s resources so much and therefore must face the consequences.
The same fate awaits the current so-called first family who appear to be worse. Why should they go scot-free when they are committing serious crimes when ordinary citizens get locked-up for years for stealing a chicken?
Leave him alone. Its time to start vacating the prisons because in 2016 the occupants will be the pf thieves
What about Mmembe ?
what about him?
Who is the lawyer guy in the background, Sikota? Chap is a true ambulance chaser, always on the lookout for hopelessly desperate chaps like Banda, who are in trouble with the law. He has even forgotten that he is president (or something) of some dysfunctional political party.