State closes case against Malanji

By Hannock Kasama

The State has closed the case where former Foreign Affair Minister JOSEPH MALANJI is charged with possession of properties deemed to be proceeds of crime.

LUSAKA Principal Resident Magistrate IRENE WISHIMANGA has set December 12, 2024 for ruling on whether or not Mr. MALANJI has a case to answer.

Magistrate WISHIMANGA has also set NOVEMBER 19, 2024 for filing of submissions by the state and defence pending Mr. MALANJI’s case to answer the ruling.

This comes after the conclusion of the testimony by State Witness KWALEYELA MUKELABAI, who is also Drugs Enforcement Commission -DEC Anti-money Laundering and Investigations Unit Director.

Thirty three witnesses testified in the case since trial in the matter began in 2022.

Mr.MALANJI is jointly charged with former Secretary to the Treasury, FREDSON YAMBA.

Mr. YAMBA allegedly wilfully failed to follow the law and procedure when he authorized the transfer of over 108 million KWACHA to the ZAMBIA Mission in Turkey for the purchase of real estate.