You’re all potential candidates for jail, AG tells UPND ministers

Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha says current government ministers and public office holders should keep receipts as they acquire properties saying time will come when they will be called to account.

He says the law is fair adding that no one is untouchable.

Kabesha implores the law enforcement agencies to investigate even current government officials without fear or favour.

Last week, Zambia’s former Foreign Minister Joseph Malanji was sentenced to four years in prison with hard labour after being convicted of corruption.

Malanji was found guilty on seven counts of acquiring properties and helicopters suspected to be the proceeds of crime, the state broadcaster reports.

His co-accused, former treasury secretary Fredson Yamba, received a three-year jail term for approving the transfer of more than $8m (£6m) to Zambia’s diplomatic mission in Turkey without justifying the expense.

Several ministers in former President Edgar Lungu’s government have been convicted of various offences, but Malanji is the most high-profile of them.

President Hakainde Hichilema promised to root out corruption when he swept to power four years ago after defeating late former President Edgar Lungu in elections.

Lungu and his party, the Patriotic Front (PF), have accused him of trying to settle political scores.