Admarc injunction against Times lifted after CSOs pressure to stop gagging on maizegate

An injunction banning Malawi leading news organisation, Times Group, from reporting about the the Zambian maize procurement saga has been listed by State-produce trader Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc).

The gagging order was obtained by Admarc chief executive officer Foster Mulumbe to stop the news organisation from reporting the alleged corrupt elements in the matter.

But The Daily Times has continued to publish stories on the maizegate. Times Radio and Times TV have also been broadcasting and airing reports on the saga.

A law expert said the publication has not been in contempt of court because the order was against it from publishing false stories but the Times has relied on a dossier of official contracts which are not false but true accounts.

Meanwhile, on Monday Admarc lawyer Shepher Mumba asked the court to lift the injunction.

The High Court granted Admarc its wish and discharged the  injunction and that the continuation of the  matter is “wholly withdrawn.”

The development follows a board meeting of Admarc last Friday which resolved that the injunction be withdrawn.

Admarc board chair James Masumbu, a private practising lawyer, confirmed the development.

The civil society organisations (CSOs) had also demanded the withdraw of the injunction.

Leaders of CSOs accused Admarc of “ trying to cover up its shady dealings.”

Admarc allegedly handled the procurement of the purported 100 000 metric tonnes of maize from Zambia Cooperative Federation (ZCF).

But the corruption element is being suspected on  the engagement of a privately-owned Zambian company Kaloswe Commuter and Courier Limited which purportedly played the role of middleman in the deal.

The Zambian company has since reportedly dragged Admarc to court for breach of contract, having already done so with the Zambia Cooperative Federation over similar charges.

Admarc has reportedly paid $34.5 million (about K26 billion) for the maize, which is $13 million (about K9.5 billion) more than the $21.5 million (about K15 billion) it could have paid had it bought the maize from Zambian Government.

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :

Sharing is caring!