Court sets new trial dates in MALANJI case
By Hannock Kasama
The LUSAKA Magistrate Court has set new trial dates in a matter where former Foreign Affairs Minister JOSEPH MALANJI is charged with possession of properties deemed to be proceeds of crime.
This follows the exhaustion of earlier trial dates.
Examination in chief in the matter will now be conducted from September 19 to 30, 2024 pending cross examination.
Last week, among other testimonies the LUSAKA Magistrate Court heard that CHINA Civil Engineering Construction Company of Democratic Republic of Congo allegedly has no knowledge of Mr. MALANJI’s company GIBSON Power System contrary to claims of business deals between the two companies.
Drug Enforcement Commission –DEC- Director-Anti-money Laundering and Investigations Unit KWALEYELA MUKELABAI disputed the claims by Mr. MALANJI that he allegedly bought two helicopters partly using proceeds from his company’s business deals with DRC’s China Civil Engineering Construction Company.
Mr. MUKELABAI testified that according to investigations, Mr. MALANJI’s GIBSON Power System had no deals with DRC’s CHINA Civil Engineering Construction Company between 2017 and 2020.
He testified that this is according to investigations carried out by DRC’s Ministry of Public Affairs Prosecutor General CHARLES KABOZYA.
Mr. MUKELABAI has also dispelled claims that DRC’s Mass Investment had on October 12, 2020 deposited 850,000 dollars in Mr. MALANJI’s GIBSON Power System, arising from a business deal.
He testified that based on DRC’s Robank statement; there was no money transfer transaction between the two companies during the period under review.
Mr. MUKELABAI was testifying before LUSAKA Principal Resident Magistrate IRENE WISHIMANGA.
This is in a matter where Mr. MALANJI is charged with possession of properties deemed to be proceeds of crime contrary to Section 71 of the Forfeiture of Proceed of Crime Act Number 19 of 2010.
It is alleged that Mr. MALANJI between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021 possessed two helicopters namely BELL 206 and BELL 230 deemed to be proceeds of crime.
Mr. MALANJI is jointly charged with former Secretary to Treasury FREDSON YAMBA.
Mr. YAMBA allegedly willfully failed to follow law and procedure when he authorized the transfer of over 108 million Kwacha to the ZAMBIAN Mission in Turkey for the purchase of real estate.
