More trouble for ex-minister Lusambo, as court labels him guilty in fresh anti-corruption case

Former Patriotic Front (PF) Kaabushi Member of Parliament, Bowman Lusambo, has suffered another legal setback after the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court found him guilty of possessing properties suspected to be proceeds of crime—a verdict that could see his Chamba Valley mansion forfeited to the State.

Delivering judgment, Chief Resident Magistrate Davies Chibwili ruled that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, establishing that Lusambo’s assets, valued at millions of kwacha, could not be justified by his known income.

The former Lusaka Province minister is facing two counts of possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime, which he denied when trial opened on July 23, 2023.

Among the properties scrutinised were Farm No. 609, valued at K17.6 million, and six flats worth over K22.8 million.

Witnesses from the Ministry of Lands and the Survey Department testified that the properties were registered in Lusambo’s name and later valued at the request of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

In his defence, Lusambo argued that his political career had enabled him to accumulate wealth, claiming that “in political money there are no receipts.”

However, Magistrate Chibwili dismissed the explanation, describing the absence of documentation as a “red flag” considering the sums involved.

“How can you explain millions of kwacha being exchanged without a receipt? The defence fell short of the standard required,” the magistrate said in his ruling.

The State further told the court that Lusambo was not a first offender, citing a previous conviction on a similar charge, although the defence countered that no supporting documentation had been produced.

The matter has been adjourned to August 29, 2025, for presentation of records and sentencing.

Lusambo is currently serving a four-year jail term at Mwembeshi Maximum Prison for corruption in a separate case.

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