Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Mulambo Haimbe, S.C., M.Pjoined th e Ethiopian community in Zambia in commemorating the Ethiopian New Year (2018) at a colourful ceremony in Lusaka. The event was hosted by His Excellency Mr. Rashid Mohammed, Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to Zambia.

Representing President Hakainde Hichilema, Hon. Haimbe conveyed Zambia’s warmest wishes for peace, prosperity, and renewed strength to the Government and people of Ethiopia.

In his address, the Minister praised the warm and enduring bonds of friendship between Zambia and Ethiopia, rooted in a shared history and strengthened by cultural ties. He commended Ethiopia’s remarkable achievements in sectors such as agriculture and mining, noting the country’s growing role in Africa’s transformation and its pursuit of middle-income status.

Hon. Haimbe also highlighted the strategic partnership between Zambia Airways and Ethiopian Airlines as a shining example of bilateral cooperation, calling it “a bridge reaffirming the shared commitment to economic development.” He further welcomed the appointment of Ms. Getenesh Addis Awoke as Ethiopia’s Honorary Consul to Zambia and thanked the Ethiopian community in Zambia for contributing positively to the nation’s social and economic development.

Ambassador Mohammed, in his remarks, reaffirmed Ethiopia’s strong bilateral ties with Zambia, which span over 60 years. He underscored the importance of continued cooperation for shared prosperity, describing the aviation partnership between the two nations as a milestone in strengthening economic growth and connectivity.

The commemoration served not only as a cultural celebration but also as a reaffirmation of the longstanding friendship and collaboration between Zambia and Ethiopia.

President Hakainde Hichilema has called on parents to raise their children with love and teach them how to live with other people in order to have a country which is accommodative and inclusive. He said that when children have good morals and principles, the country will advance the welfare of families in communities.

President Hichilema said this when he and the First Lady Mrs Mutinta Hichilema, worshipped with congregants at Libala Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church in Lusaka.

President Hichilema praised the Libala SDA congregation for its continued evangelism.

“Our church Libala SDA here, other SDA churches and the rest of other churches across the country, are the bodies of Christ because the body of Christ is one, they need to do good things in society because God is happy when we are happy,” he said.

President Hichilema observed that children are the future leaders of the country and nurturing them at a tender age with the gospel is critical to achieve a prosperous nation anchored on God’s grace.

He explained that in his own design, God created people with love of different diversity, reaffirming his fairness and goodness to humanity all the time.

“I am delighted to be here and to congregate with fellow worshipers at Libala SDA church, this is the church where I used to come during my University days and it is good that it has continued to evangelise the word of God, ” he said.

President Hichilema has also praised the Libala SDA church for the project of constructing a bigger church at the same premise, and promised to work with the church leadership to complete the project which is expected to be accommodating more congregants once completed.

He has since invited the Libala SDA church leadership to Community House for them to see how best they can expedite the construction works.

And SDA Church Woodlands Conference President of Daniel Chuunga, thanked the President for finding time off his busy schedule to worship with the Libala church congregation.

Dr Chuunga further commended President Hichilema for promoting inclusivity in the country by bringing all the tribes together.

He also commended President Hichilema for his inclusivity in choosing his Cabinet which has a representation of almost all the tribes from across the country, thereby reinforcing the One Zambia One Nation Motto.

Meanwhile, in his sermon, Dr Chuunga reminded congregants to depend on God in everything they want to achieve in their life as he is the God of every season.

Dr Chuunga, who themed his sermon, “broken crayons can still colour” emphasised that God is interested in broken hearted people to rise up again in their lives.

“Mr President, we are glad to have you here at Libala SDA Church, as the church we acknowledge your inclusivity in your leadership where you are embracing all the people of every tribe,” he said.

He encouraged congregants to take their burdens and situations to God to bear, as he is able to heal and change any situation.

Malanji and Yamba Jailed in Landmark Corruption Verdict
The Lusaka Magistrate Court has sentenced two former senior government officials in a landmark corruption case that has captured the nation’s attention. Former Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Malanji has been jailed for four years with hard labour, while former Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Yamba has been handed a three-year sentence with hard labour. The judgment, delivered by Acting Chief Resident Magistrate Irene Wishimanga, marks one of the most consequential outcomes in Zambia’s fight against corruption in recent years.

The charges centred on the controversial K108 million transferred to Zambia’s mission in Turkey during Yamba’s tenure as Treasury Secretary. Prosecutors argued that the release of funds violated budgetary procedures, bypassed parliamentary oversight, and ignored established procurement frameworks. Malanji was accused of using his political influence to acquire luxury assets that included two Bell helicopters, a hotel in Kitwe, and residential houses in Silverest, all suspected to have been purchased with proceeds of crime. The prosecution maintained that these acquisitions amounted to clear abuse of office and deliberate concealment of ownership trails.

Magistrate Wishimanga dismissed defence arguments that sought leniency on the basis of the pair being first offenders who had served the public in senior roles. She ruled that the offences were grave, involved large sums of public money, and struck at the heart of public trust in governance. The court emphasised that custodial sentences were necessary both as punishment and as a deterrent to others in positions of power. Malanji’s direct involvement in property acquisition and concealment of wealth justified a longer sentence, while Yamba’s authorisation of the funds without lawful authority warranted a three-year term.

The verdict has been hailed as a milestone in Zambia’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign. Since assuming office, President Hakainde Hichilema has pledged to root out corruption, particularly cases linked to the previous Patriotic Front government. Civil society organisations and governance watchdogs have welcomed the judgment as proof that the state is willing to take action against senior political figures who misuse public resources. However, analysts have cautioned that for the fight against corruption to maintain credibility, it must be applied consistently and not appear targeted against political opponents.

For the Patriotic Front, the sentencing has fuelled claims of persecution. Acting president Given Lubinda has argued that the ruling demonstrates selective justice, warning that many PF members face the risk of prosecution under the current administration. His remarks were aimed at rallying party members to remain united and to interpret the convictions as politically motivated. On the other hand, government officials have seized the ruling as evidence that Zambia’s institutions are regaining strength and that the administration’s promises of accountability are being fulfilled. Government spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa praised the decision, arguing that it reinforced the rule of law and demonstrated that no individual, regardless of political status, is above the law.

Public reaction has been mixed. Many Zambians expressed satisfaction at seeing high-ranking figures convicted, a rare occurrence in the country’s history of high-profile corruption cases. Others, however, remain sceptical, warning that unless similar scrutiny is applied to current office holders, the anti-corruption drive risks being dismissed as partisan. On social media, citizens questioned whether the ruling marked a genuine turning point or whether it was a selective application of justice.

Attention is also turning to the issue of asset forfeiture. Malanji’s helicopters and luxury properties, already under seizure orders, are expected to be permanently forfeited to the state. The effectiveness of asset recovery will be an important test of whether courtroom victories translate into tangible restitution for the public. Observers argue that without the successful reclamation and reinvestment of misused funds, convictions alone may not deliver the systemic change citizens expect.

The sentencing of Joseph Malanji and Fredson Yamba is more than just the punishment of two individuals. It is a moment that speaks to Zambia’s political culture, the strength of its institutions, and the aspirations of citizens who demand clean governance. Whether it becomes a turning point in the nation’s anti-corruption fight will depend on consistency, impartiality, and the will to pursue accountability across all political divides. For now, the ruling sends a clear message: misuse of office and abuse of public resources will no longer be tolerated without consequence.

Malanji Convicted in Helicopter and Property Corruption Case

Former Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Malanji has been convicted on seven out of eight charges in a landmark corruption case that has captured national attention. The Lusaka Magistrate Court, presided over by Magistrate Irene Wishimanga, delivered a damning judgment that placed the former minister at the centre of illicit financial transactions, property acquisitions, and the misuse of public resources disguised as private ventures.

Represented by lawyer Makebi Zulu, who also acts as family spokesman for former president Edgar Lungu, Malanji faced charges that spanned the acquisition of luxury assets and the manipulation of financial channels to conceal their origins. The case, often dubbed the “Helicopter Corruption Trial,” has been closely followed as a test of Zambia’s resolve to address entrenched corruption among its political elite.

Malanji was convicted on Counts 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, while being acquitted on Count 5. The charges related primarily to the illegal acquisition of high-value properties and aircraft using funds the court determined to be proceeds of crime. Magistrate Wishimanga found that the transactions were structured to disguise ownership and obscure the source of illicit money.

Central to the case were two helicopters, a Bell 430 and a Bell 206 Jet Ranger, registered under Gibson Air Charters, a company linked to Malanji. The state demonstrated that payments for these aircraft were inconsistent with Malanji’s declared earnings as a public officer. In addition, the court examined the purchase of houses in Lusaka’s Silverest Gardens and other upmarket areas, all financed through cash and dollar payments that could not be explained through lawful income.

The court noted that Malanji relied on misleading documentation to justify the acquisitions, including fictitious mining and construction contracts purportedly linked to operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo and China. Magistrate Wishimanga rejected these claims, stating that the evidence pointed to a deliberate attempt to launder funds and conceal corrupt proceeds.

In her ruling, Magistrate Wishimanga stated that Malanji failed to provide a credible or lawful explanation for the sources of the funds used. Instead, the court found a clear pattern of structuring transactions to hide their true nature. The ruling described his conduct as calculated and intentional, demonstrating a systematic siphoning of resources under the pretext of diplomatic and business engagements.

The judgment reinforced that the misuse of public office, combined with attempts to launder illicit gains through luxury assets, undermines public trust and weakens state institutions. The case was seen as an emblematic example of how corruption and abuse of power intersect at the highest levels of government.

The conviction of Malanji, a high-profile figure within the Patriotic Front (PF), is likely to have wide political repercussions. His trial and eventual conviction highlight the increasing willingness of Zambian courts to hold senior figures accountable, a development that aligns with the government’s stated anti-corruption agenda.

For the opposition, however, the case is likely to raise allegations of selective justice, with some PF supporters already framing the convictions as politically motivated. The presence of Makebi Zulu, a prominent PF figure, as Malanji’s defence counsel underscores how politically sensitive the trial has been.

At the same time, the case adds pressure on Zambia’s judiciary and prosecuting authorities to ensure consistency across corruption cases involving political figures, regardless of affiliation. The credibility of the justice system rests on whether the outcomes are perceived as impartial.

Proceedings have now moved into the mitigation stage, with sentencing scheduled for tomorrow. Malanji’s legal team is expected to argue for leniency, citing his previous service as a public official. However, given the scale of the convictions and the emphasis placed by the court on deliberate misconduct, legal analysts anticipate a substantial custodial sentence.

The conviction of a former cabinet minister on charges involving helicopters and luxury real estate sends a powerful signal about Zambia’s ongoing anti-corruption drive. It also serves as a reminder of how public resources, when misappropriated, can be laundered through high-value assets in attempts to conceal their origins.

As the nation awaits sentencing, the Malanji case remains a watershed moment in Zambia’s fight against corruption—one that will either reinforce or undermine public confidence in the country’s ability to bring powerful figures to justice.

Former Treasury Chief Yamba Convicted in $4.6 Million Corruption Scheme

LUSAKA – A Lusaka court has convicted former Treasury chief Fredson Yamba of abuse of office and unlawfully authorizing $4.6 million in public funds, delivering a landmark verdict in a trial closely watched by anti-corruption advocates.

Magistrate Irene Wishimanga found Yamba guilty on two counts for his role in financing the purchase of a property for Zambia’s mission in Turkey through a scheme that flagrantly bypassed national procurement laws and budgetary oversight.

The verdict, delivered Wednesday at the Lusaka Magistrate Court, represents a severe fall from grace for Yamba, once one of the government’s most powerful technocrats. He was tried alongside former Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Malanji, who faces related charges.

The court detailed how Yamba, in his capacity as Secretary to the Treasury, single-handedly approved the multi-million dollar disbursement without the legally required parliamentary approval or Cabinet mandate. The ruling stated he also ignored the Ministry of Works and Supply, the entity legally responsible for government real estate acquisitions.

The Convictions:

• Count 1: Abuse of Office. Yamba approved the $4.6 million payment outside the approved government budget framework.

• Count 2: Unlawful Authorisation of Funds. He bypassed procurement protocols and failed to obtain necessary approvals, violating the Public Finance Management Act.

In her summary, Magistrate Wishimanga stated that Yamba’s actions “opened the door for the misapplication of public resources” and directly set the stage for the alleged money laundering activities outlined in the broader case.

While sentencing is pending, the guilty verdict on these core charges significantly strengthens the state’s case. The court continues to deliberate on the remaining counts against both Yamba and Malanji.

The case is seen as a critical test of Zambia’s judicial resolve to hold high-level officials accountable for graft. Sentencing is expected to be scheduled in the coming weeks.

President Hakainde Hichilema hosted thousands of University of Zambia (UNZA) students from both the Great East Road and Ridgeway campuses at State House, where they unveiled their newly elected student leadership for the 2025/2026 academic year.

Addressing the gathering, President Hichilema emphasized that education remains a cornerstone of his administration’s development agenda.

“Education is the best investment, equaliser, and inheritance,” he said, stressing that government’s reforms are aimed at ensuring all Zambians have access to quality higher learning opportunities.

He highlighted ongoing government efforts to address challenges facing students, including accommodation shortages, sanitation concerns, and the need to expand access to higher education loans.

“We will not relent in our investment drive into the education sector because an educated and skilled population is the guaranteed pathway to economic and social development,” the President affirmed.

The Head of State expressed gratitude to the UNZA community, warmly acknowledging the presence of students from both campuses.