Patriotic Front member Emmanuel Mwamba has challenged President Hakainde Hichilema’s recent statements regarding the case involving former Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Malanji.
Mwamba referenced a 2019 government announcement of a $20 million mortgage financing program to purchase, rehabilitate, and construct properties for diplomatic missions abroad, including new missions in Canberra, Australia and Ankara, Turkey, and rehabilitation of buildings in South Africa, Germany, and Washington.
Detailing the Ankara project, Mwamba stated that the government bought a chancery building for the Zambian Mission in Ankara. In December 2020, $6.8 million was sent as part-payment to the vendor’s lawyers, Burhan Asaf Safak. He stated that in July 2021, after Parliament was dissolved and Joseph Malanji was no longer Minister, a further $2 million was sent. In October 2021, the new government cancelled the purchase of houses but finalized the sale of the Chancery Building at a cost of $8 million, making the total payments $8 million.
Mwamba asserted that Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) Director General Nason Banda therefore lied and committed perjury by claiming $11 million was sent to Ankara and that this amount was collected by Malanji and repatriated to Zambia via a presidential plane.
He clarified that during this period, the Gulfstream G650 (AF 001) was the designated Presidential plane, while the Bombardier Challenger 9J-One was no longer a presidential plane. Mwamba stated that ministers used the Challenger for presidential duties, citing Davies Chama and Stephen Kampyongo’s travel to Malawi in June 2020, and Joseph Malanji’s use of it to attend the inauguration of Namibian President Hage Geingob in March 2020. He added that former President Rupiah Banda used the plane for medical trips to Dubai during COVID-19 airspace shutdowns, and that it was also used for duties to Tanzania, Israel, and Turkey.
Mwamba described as “sad reading” President Hichilema’s announcement that he worked to send Malanji to jail by contacting the presidents of South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Turkey to secure witnesses and repossess his helicopters. Mwamba accused the President of repeating the “$11 million lie” and of abusing his power by acting as “prosecutor, jury, and judge” against a political adversary.
This rebuttal follows President Hichilema’s recent engagement with UPND Lusaka Province party structures, where he reaffirmed his administration’s stance against corruption. The President announced that property linked to Malanji, including helicopters, would be forfeited to the Zambia Air Force for humanitarian and emergency operations.
“This is the job Zambians gave me, to fight corruption. Anyone stealing from hospitals or government projects is on their own,” President Hichilema said, emphasizing that all recovered assets would be repurposed for public benefit. He stated his administration remains focused on restoring integrity in public service and ensuring no individual is above the law.
Thanks Emmanuel, a lot of wrong things in this country in both the ruling and opposition parties. Can you imagine a Chris Zumani saying on TV this evening that him and Sean Tembo wrote the Tonse Alliance constitution and ECL approved it, A constitution can be written by anybody, but it needs to be adopted by all which never happened. ECL was not the alpha and the Omega of the alliance. I don’t understand this thing of saying ECL said this, ECL was never given any official powers in Tonse to approve anything, so why is he being portrayed as a demi god of Tonse. What should count now is what the living beings of Tonse are saying and not what ECL said
Ati me and Sean Tembo put up the Tonse constitution, under the mandate of one man? just how. Sean Tembo has no structure, not even a branch chairman, no followers, no party, he was even beaten by rejected votes in the last election, and he should be writing constitutions for people
Since you claim to know so much,can you now tell us how Malanje acquired two helicopters, managed to pay off entire debt on his Royal Hotel and high-end houses after making large cash deposits for consecutive days
Ulichipuba? Why should Ambassador Mwamba tell you were Malanje got money came from? Is it Mwamba’s job? Why are Zambians so dolt? Just because Mwamba knows the truth about the embassies development, that to you means he must know personal developments for other people? Kwena Zambia, yakwata ifikopo. Is Mwamba’s story related to Malanje riches or it is on the monies that were supposed to develop the dilapidated embassies that look like some Taco stands. To tell you the truth Zambian embassies are like shanty houses everywhere you go. Start traveling. You will be embarrassed seeing how embarrassing our embassies look like.
Yet again proof of how Zambians were being robbed left, right and center by the party that promised “more money in your pockets in 90 days.”
They actually meant more money in their pockets and dumb enough to show off the money in their pockets. Gullible as we are, some of us still want them back. Our short memories have erased the gas incidents, the vayolensi……
Propaganda Emmanuel Mwamba, take your package to hell.
Yours too, take it your propaganda to hell coward calling yourself Nkana. I am a self appointed spokesperson for Emmanuel Mwamba who has single handedly outsmarted the media team of the failing party
So it seems you don’t want the truth. How is this propaganda? Are you allergic to the truth?
@Fas, hahaha. You’re falling in line like the duck tails. He who defends the indefensible is collided, or maybe another bird of the same furthe.
I am not to argue or exchange words with an adult juvenile. Stay in your lane with those taxpayers money thieves.
By the way, of my name bothers you then issue that tissues rolls with you. I am proud CB born and raised, I carry that badge with honor.
Don’t you think you’re the one who sounds like a juvenile? How come when someone poke holes in an issue and your statement that person becomes a juvenile? Doesn’t that really reflect exactly what you are? A juvenile who cannot be told the truth? You are embarrassing yourself bwana.
But when Malanji was in court why did you not offer yourself as a witness if what you know is the truth? Why should we believe you when you were not willing to stand before a court of law and UNDER OATH, tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? Now from your blog desk, you want us to believe you?
Yes, that’s Emmanuel Mwamba ‘s pattern of behavior,He finds exonerating evidence only after a conviction and sentencing.This time ask him provide evidence in favour of Dr.Malama former PS before he is convicted
Please we are ready to endure anything that will prevent the reemergence of those cruel and dangerous PF Cardres.
These PF guys are of the mindset, even if they are found with millions of dollars……….
They should not be asked about the money because it is not impossible to get…………
But if you are in government, and you went into government broke or of modest income and suddenly become a millionaire,……………
You must expect to be asked to produce recites and a money trail with tax records………..
Every one must explain their wealth, even current UPND officials in GRZ will need to explain their Wealth on change of GRZ…………
FWD2041
PF cats are arrogant the wannabe friends with MAGA.
Check HH account. He had less than $6 million. Today he is supposedly worthy $358 million in four years. That’s were you should direct your anger. You’re being used as they take all gold, sugilite, nickel, copper and other minerals. Ala ba UPND niba kabolala.
After reading through what Emmanual Mwamba has written, the questions that I had were eloquently and adequately cover by MuZambian and Musaninyoze. I need not say anything.
‘covered’
Emmanuel Mwamba’s latest article isn’t journalism it’s tired propaganda dressed up as defense. His attempt to whitewash Joseph Malanji’s corruption case relies on selective timelines, half-truths and emotional appeals rather than hard facts. The claim that only $8 million was paid conveniently ignores financial records and sworn testimony from investigative agencies. Mwamba’s obsession with aircraft and travel schedules is a deliberate distraction from the real issue: public funds were misused and assets traced to theft including helicopters are now being recovered for public use. No amount of recycled political spin can rewrite that reality. Zambians see through it.
Facts affect you very badly tefyo? What has Ambassador Mwamba written or said that’s not journalistic? Mwamba is doing what every Zambian must do when they find injustice. Just because Malanje got rich does not mean Mwamba must stay silent on facts. THAT IS INJUSTICE. Please Zambians, start thinking. THINK IS FREE.
Has this airbag been called as witness? Chongo iwe
Mwamba what an idiot who lacks patriotism. You’re a proper moron and you’re so disgusting. So where did Malanji get the loot to buy helicopters and those large deposits into his accounts? You go mute on obvious theft issues because you’re equally a beneficiary.
So to you dolts in Zambia, patriotism is sitting on facts and pretend all is well? If Malanje stole, that does not mean Mwamba should stay silent with facts. Mwamba has one side of the story that needs to be told and be heard. That to me is even more PATRIOTIC than participating in an injustice regarding embassies and money thereof. Start think bakaboke imwe. Copper na Gold balemibila and your focus is on the truth that Mwamba has shared. Please grow up Zambians.