Zambia Sentences Ex-Foreign Minister Joseph Malanji to Four Years Hard Labour Over Corruption
Former Zambian foreign minister Joseph Malanji was sentenced to four years in prison with hard labour for acquiring properties and helicopters deemed proceeds of crime, while former treasury secretary Fredson Yamba received three years for unauthorised fund transfers.
Zambia's former foreign minister Joseph Malanji has been sentenced to four years in prison with hard labour after being convicted on seven counts of acquiring properties and helicopters suspected to be proceeds of crime. His co-defendant, former treasury secretary Fredson Yamba, received a three-year sentence for unjustified transfers of over $8m to the country's diplomatic mission in Turkey.
Magistrate Ireen Wishimanga said she applied leniency due to their status as first-time offenders and the mitigation presented on their behalf. Malanji, known as "Bonanza" for his public generosity, served under president Edgar Lungu from 2018 to 2021.
President Hakainde Hichilema campaigned on an anti-corruption platform after defeating Lungu in 2021. However, critics allege corruption persists within his administration, pointing to the US suspension of $50m in health aid over alleged systematic theft of medical supplies, and no prosecutions so far.
Transparency International ranks Zambia among the world's most corrupt countries. Lungu died of natural causes in June; ongoing disputes over his burial remain unresolved.
Malpractice at the highest levels of government continues to challenge Zambia’s anti-corruption efforts, despite high-profile convictions aimed at restoring public trust.
This topic was reported by BBC News.
Discover the latest news and current events in World News as of 04-09-2025. The article titled " Zambia Sentences Ex-Foreign Minister Joseph Malanji to Four Years Hard Labour Over Corruption " provides you with the most relevant and reliable information in the World News field. Each news piece is thoroughly analyzed to deliver valuable insights to our readers.
The information in " Zambia Sentences Ex-Foreign Minister Joseph Malanji to Four Years Hard Labour Over Corruption " helps you make better-informed decisions within the World News category. Our news articles are continuously updated and adhere to journalistic standards.