Colleen Zamba Spends Second Night in Custody

Former Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Colleen Zamba, has spent a second night in police custody after authorities failed to bring her before the court on Thursday to be formally charged.

Zamba was arrested on Wednesday at Kamuzu International Airport, where she was scheduled to board a flight to Switzerland.

Her lawyer, Sylvester Ayuba James, said police had earlier indicated they would bring her to court in the afternoon, but officers later received instructions to turn back when they were already around Crossroads Hotel.

James said police had recorded her statement but were now insisting they were still operating within the 48-hour constitutional window for detention without charge. He described the repeated delays as an abuse of the 48-hour rule.

The lawyer also confirmed that a search warrant had been issued for Zamba’s mobile phone, which he and his team have reviewed.

Zamba is expected to face charges of abuse of office.