- Malanji and former Treasury Secretary Fredson Yamba were found guilty of misusing public funds and acquiring illicit property worth millions
- The convictions have reignited debate over corruption under former president Edgar Lungu’s administration
Zambia’s former foreign minister Joseph Malanji is set to spend four years behind bars with hard labour after a high-profile corruption trial concluded this week.
Lusaka Acting Chief Resident Magistrate Irene Wishimanga handed down the sentence on Thursday, September 4, a day after convicting Malanji of seven counts of acquiring property believed to be proceeds of crime.
Why was ex-Zambia minister jailed?
According to OpenZambia, the case against Malanji focused on the purchase of two helicopters, a Bell 430 and a Bell 206 Jet Ranger, as well as three luxury houses in Silverest, Chongwe district.
The transactions took place between January 2020 and December 2021.
His co-accused, former Treasury secretary Fredson Yamba, was also sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty on two counts of failing to follow proper financial procedures in the disbursement of public funds.
Yamba’s charges related to authorising the transfer of 108 million kwacha (appr. KSh 587,390,724) to Zambia’s embassy in Turkey for real estate purchases between January 2020 and August 2021.
Magistrate Wishimanga ruled that both men failed to provide sufficient justification for their actions and said custodial sentences were essential to deter future wrongdoing by public officials.
Malanji, a prominent figure in former president Edgar Lungu’s government, served as foreign minister from 2018 to 2021.
Known by the nickname “Bonanza” for his generosity and public engagement, he was considered one of Lungu’s closest allies.
His conviction makes him one of the highest-ranking figures from the former administration to face criminal charges.
Culled from : TUKO.co.ke journalist Harry Ivan Mboto in Kenya.
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