MALANJI SEEKS COURT ORDER TO STOP FORFEITURE OF SEIZED HELICOPTERS
Former Foreign Affairs Minister Joe Malanji has applied before the Lusaka Magistrates Court seeking an order to stay the forfeiture execution of two helicopters which were seized by the state a month ago.
In the application filed at the subordinate court, Mr. Malanji says he is aware that President Hakainde Hichilema publicly declared the two helicopters forfeited in the matter will be donated to the Zambia Air Force –ZAF- and that he has written to the Director of Public Prosecutions Gilbert Phiri to express concern about the pronouncement.
He argues that if the helicopters are forfeited before his appeal in the Lusaka High Court is determined, any successful outcome on appeal will be rendered academic and prejudicial to the appeal.
Mr. Malanji also maintains that the helicopters are the subject of parallel proceedings in South Africa and that third-party interests in some of the properties remain unresolved.
The application comes after Mr. Malanji’s conviction on seven counts of possessing property suspected to be proceeds of crime under the forfeiture of proceeds of crime act.
He was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment with hard labour and filed an appeal against both conviction and sentence in September.
Mr. Malanji has asked the court to preserve the status quo by staying execution of the forfeiture order pending the appeal, saying such relief is necessary to prevent irreparable prejudice.
PN