The three suspects arrested by the Anti-Corruption Commission on Wednesday in Katima Mulilo, Zambezi Region, in connection with the fraudulent drought food supply scheme – which led to the government paying over N$4.2 million for supplies that were never delivered – were denied bail in the Katima Mulilo Magistrate's Court on Friday.

During their first court appearance, the accused – Gurion Siseho (52), Grodinah Liswaniso (44), and Jimmy Simataa  (52) – were informed that they face five and six charges, respectively.

Siseho and Simataa each face five charges: accepting gratification, conspiracy to commit an offence, money laundering, acquiring, possessing, or using proceeds from unlawful activities, and giving gratification.

Liswaniso faces an additional charge of providing services that assist in money laundering.

Their case was postponed to Monday, 29 May, for a formal bail hearing after the state objected to granting bail to the accused.

It is alleged that on 3 September last year, a purchase order worth N$4,238,980 was issued to a private company for the supply of 20,138 20-kg bags of maize meal to the Zambezi Regional Council as part of the drought relief programme.

Investigations revealed that on 28 October, Simataa, an employee of the council, allegedly conspired with his two co-accused to falsely certify key documents confirming that the maize meal bags had been received at the warehouse when, in fact, they were not.

Siseho and Simataa were represented by lawyer Inonge Mainga, while Liswaniso was represented by Kalundu Kamwi.

They remain in custody until Monday.