Maria Zaloumis, 4 others out on bail, murder charge revised
THE State has revised the murder charge against celebrated Chisamba farmer Maria Zaloumis her Nigerian boyfriend Nathaniel Barthram and 3 others to manslaughter.
Zaloumis and each of her co – accused who have since been committed to the High Court for trial, were ordered to pay K20,000 bail in their Own Recognizance with two working sureties who must be traceable civil servants as part of their bail conditions.
The suspects in the matter, Maria Francise Zeleni Zaloumis, widely known as the “Zed Farmer,” aged 40, of Wonani Farm,
Nathaniel Barthram, a 34-year-old Nigerian national and Daniel Chiluwa, 40, a farm manager of Onani Farm No. 5 in Montana.
Others are Fortune Mwitangati, 23, of Nyambe Farm and Gift Daka, 25, also of Onani Farm were alleged to have murdered Enock Simfukwe Kasengele on August 17, 2025 contrary to Section 200 Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
When the matter came up for mention in the Kabwe Magistrate Court on today, State Advocate Joseph Zimba informed a fully- packed court room that the Director of Public Prosecution had consented to the matter with a reduced charge of manslaughter contrary to Section 199 of the Penal Code of the Laws of Zambia.
The move prompted the defense bench through counsel Keith Katazo to apply for bail for accused persons, pending trial.
“Given that the subject offence of manslaughter is a bailable matter, we humbly seek bail for the accused persons in line with section 123 of the Criminal Procedure Code Act 88 of the Laws of Zambia,” argued lawyer Katazo.
Katazo further argued that accused number two – A2, Maria Zaloumis was a renowned Zambian farmer of fixed abode, who was willing to comply with the Bail Conditions.
” With regards A2 (Nathaniel Barthram) the Nigerian national he is a Zambian resident residing at Tuzini farm where he is conducting farming activities and willing to surrender any form of documentation as fulfillment to the bail conditions.The other 3 accused persons are indigenous people who do not intend to run away or make the wake of the court difficult,” he contended.
Another defense lawyer Macqueen Zaza explained that there was no likelyhood of the accused persons interfering with State witnessed when granted bail as they intended to bring in credible sureties.
Earlier, another defense lawyer Mapange Nsapato argued that the accused people ought to be treated as innocent until proven guilty by a competent High Court.
In response State Advocate Joseph Zimba did not object to the bail application saying it was the accused’s constitutional right.
“However, we are alive to the fact that A1 is a foreign national (Nigerian) who should surrender his passport as part of bail conditions.
Kabwe Magistrate Wamundila Liswaniso committed the matter to the Kabwe High Court for summary trial.
“I have heard the submission from both the defence and State and further order that the accused persons after meeting bail conditions, be reporting to any nearest police station every fortnight on Friday pending trial at the High Court for the charge of manslaughter.I also order A1 (Barthram) to surrender his Nigerian passport to authorities as part of his bail. The accused remain in custody untill they satisfy their bail condition,” magistrate Liswaniso concluded.
The accused are in this matter represented by lawyers Keith Katazo from Legal Aid, Maya Mwanawasa from Dove Chambers, Mapange Nsapato from Nsapato Advocates and Mcqueen Zaza from Chiwala Bornface Legal Practitioners.
Credit: TV Yatu/Thandizo Banda, October 6, 2025.