The corruption case involving senior officials at Zambezi Regional Council has provisionally been withdrawn on instruction by the Office of the Prosecutor General to the Katima Mulilo District Court.

The case was postponed at their previous appearance for plea and trial, which was scheduled for between the ninth and 13th of September.

The officials are Deputy Director for Administration Abraham Shikoyeni, Chief Accountant Nimrod Lichela, Chief Regional Officer Regina Ndopu-Lubinda, Regional Director for Planning and Rural Development Beaven Walubita, Deputy Director for Planning and Rural Development Cletius Mubita, and Chief Development Planner Daniel Mbala.

They face charges of using their offices for gratification after awarding a tender worth N$4.7 million without following the correct procedures and for claiming subsistence and transport allowances under false pretenses.

The state indicated that the accused will be summoned back to court when the state is ready to proceed with the matter.

The lawyer, Jermain Muchali, representing one of the accused, told the court that he was not happy with the provisional withdrawal because the matter has been investigated for more than three years and the accused have the right to a speedy trial.

Muchali further argued that his client has been affected mentally and financially after paying for the whole week's trial for the lawyers to travel to Katima Mulilo, and he was ready for the case.

He said if the state delays finalizing the matter, they will be forced to challenge it in the High Court.

The legal representation has so far applied for the refund of the N$50,000 bail, which was granted.

Magistrate Malilo Mwilima informed the accused that once the state is ready, they will be notified.