Court Acquits Ex-Presidential Advisor of Corruption

By Memory Bbuku

The Economic and Financial Crimes Court has acquitted former Presidential Economic Advisor HIBEENE MWIINGA, and three others of corruption related crimes.

This is in a matter where Mr. MWIINGA, his wife MERCY MUNSANJE, their son HAKAANTU and HICHKAY farms were facing 72 counts of possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime valued at over 41 Million kwacha and over US$230,000 in cash.

Lusaka Magistrate, IRENE WISHIMINGA has however convicted HICHKAY farms in count 46 for failure to keep records and fined K4, 000.

Magistrate WISHIMANGA said the prosecution had failed to prove that the money used in the purchase of the property was tainted and proceeds of crime.

She said Mr. MWIINGA having worked for African Development Bank -AfDB- and as a civil servant earned salaries, gratuities and loans that enabled him to purchase the properties.