Pretoria: Former foreign minister Joseph Malanji has been 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.

According to Nam News Network, Malanji’s co-accused, former treasury secretary Fredson Yamba, received a three-year jail term for approving the transfer of more than $8 million to Zambia’s diplomatic mission in Turkey without justifying the expense. The court proceedings mark a significant development in Zambia’s legal landscape as the country grapples with corruption cases involving high-profile figures.

Malanji, who served as foreign minister from 2018 to 2021, earned the nickname Bonanza due to his reputation for generosity and his interactions with the public. His close ties to former president Edgar Lungu are noted, highlighting the political dynamics surrounding his conviction. The former president had passed away in June in South Africa, and his burial has been delayed due to a dispute over funeral arrangements.

Magistrate Ireen Wishimanga, who handed down the sentences, noted that leniency was shown towards Malanji and Yamba since they were first-time offenders. She considered the mitigation arguments presented by their legal team during the sentencing.

While the current administration under President Hakainde Hichilema has been criticized for corruption allegations, no ministers from his government have faced prosecution or dismissal. This ongoing issue was highlighted when the US government withdrew $50 million in health sector funding due to alleged systematic theft of medical donations, leading to promises of an investigation by Zambia’s government. However, no prosecutions have been made to date.