Zambia’s former Foreign Minister, Joseph Malanji, has been jailed for four years with hard labour after a corruption conviction.
He was found guilty on seven counts of acquiring helicopters and properties suspected to be proceeds of crime, state media reported.
Malanji, nicknamed “Bonanza” for his public generosity, served as foreign minister under former President Edgar Lungu from 2018 to 2021.
Fredson Yamba, who once served as treasury secretary, was also convicted. He received a three-year sentence for approving a transfer of more than $8m to Zambia’s diplomatic mission in Turkey without proper justification.
Magistrate Ireen Wishimanga, while passing judgment, said she had shown “leniency” to both men as first-time offenders after hearing “spirited mitigation” pleas from their lawyers.
Malanji’s conviction makes him the highest-profile minister from Lungu’s government to be jailed, though several others have faced trial.
Corruption, Politics, and Distrust
President Hakainde Hichilema, who came to power four years ago after defeating Lungu, promised to root out corruption.
But Lungu’s Patriotic Front party has accused him of waging a political vendetta against former officials.
The late president, who died of natural causes in South Africa in June, has not yet been buried due to a bitter dispute between his family and the government over funeral plans.
Critics argue that corruption has also spread within Hichilema’s administration. Yet, no minister under his government has been prosecuted or dismissed.
In May, the United States suspended $50m health sector funding to Zambia. Washington accused officials of “systematic theft” of medical donations and said it was “no longer willing to underwrite the personal enrichment of fraudsters.”
The Zambian government promised investigations, but no arrests or charges have followed. Transparency International still ranks Zambia among the world’s most corrupt nations.
Rate, Like 👍, Comment💬, share this article, Follow us on our social media handles, and Submit your own story to get featured and earn rewards!
