MAKEBI ZULU’S CLIENT, JOE MALANJI HAS BEEN CONVICTED ON 7 OUT OF 8 COUNTS
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BREAKING: Joseph Malanji who was represented by Makebi Zulu, the lawyer of the Edgar Lungu family and family spokesman, has been convicted on Counts 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
Acquitted on Count 5 in Helicopter Corruption Case
Former Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Malanji has been convicted on Counts 3, 4, 6, 8, 9 and 10 in the high-profile corruption trial relating to the illegal acquisition of luxury properties and aircraft using suspected proceeds of crime.
Magistrate Irene Wishimanga, delivering judgment at the Lusaka Magistrate Court, found Malanji guilty of multiple offences including:
Possession of property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime;
Money laundering involving high-value real estate and aircraft;
Use of third-party companies to conceal ownership of assets;
Convicted on Helicopter, Property and Money Laundering Counts.
Counts 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 specifically relate to:
The purchase of two helicopters, a Bell 430 and Bell 206 Jet Ranger, which were registered under Gibson Air Charters, a company linked to Malanji.
Acquisition of multiple houses in Lusaka’s upmarket Silverest Gardens and other locations, financed through cash transactions and dollar payments inconsistent with Malanji’s known income as a public officer.
Use of misleading documents to justify the sources of funds, including fictitious mining and construction deals in the DRC and China.
The court ruled that Malanji failed to provide a lawful explanation for the source of the funds used in the acquisitions and found that the transactions were structured to disguise the origin and ownership of illicit funds.
His conduct, the court said, demonstrated a deliberate and calculated effort to siphon public resources under the guise of diplomatic duty and personal enterprise.
Proceedings are ongoing as mitigation is underway and sentencing will follow soon.
Sentencing will be done tomorrow.
TAYALI THE PUBLIC LAWYER OF THE PUBLIC COURT OF OPINIONS!!!
People should protest by collecting signatures to force to DPP to appeal his conviction to get a longer term and one befitting the offence and conviction. For sure the is a mismatch. Was the judge filled with fear??
Mulenga Mwila as aspiring Lusaka Mayor, Please start the following
1. Petition to appeal the mockery 4 year sentence for Malanji and Yamba. We need a stiffer punishment for deterrence
2. A look at the legal framework governing the authorisation on release of funds from the treasury for anything. Did it only involve Yamba alone to decide?
The vetting and scruitiny on politicians appointed to office by a President should be open and complete. Malanji a known thug at Nkana Golf club and form three drop out who was a caddy, would never have qualified for office of Minister of foreign affairs.
3. Chilengi who was ambassador in Turkey was another thug who just dropped out in form three, was constantly in trouble with the police, Interpol and had no real college or university training. Where did he organise his Ph D from?
4. Why did the President release the Presidential plane?
5. Why didnt the President take interest in knowing the truth about Malanji’s mission to Turkey.
6. Why do political leaders in the PF think it not fair to convict Malanji? Does PF think it is ok to steal like Yamba and Malanji?
How did a Fredson Yamba who was fired many years for some financial offence allowed to be appointed into the powerful position of ST without scruitiny nor objection?
Yamba a chufi to sata , did he have the required academic qualification to hold that office?