Judgment in Malanji, Yamba K108 million saga adjourned again to Wednesday

Former Foreign Affairs Minister, Joseph Malanji, and former Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Yamba had their much-anticipated judgment on charges of possession of suspected illicit properties and wilful failure to follow procedure in the K108 million transfer saga adjourned once more—this time to Wednesday.

The delay arose because Senior Magistrate Ireen Wishimanga, who has been presiding over the trial, was not sitting. The matter was instead brought before Principal Resident Magistrate Sylvia Munyinya, who set Wednesday morning for delivery of judgment.

This marked the second adjournment in less than a week. On Friday, Magistrate Wishimanga postponed proceedings after Malanji presented a medical note indicating he was unwell.

The State, however, questioned the authenticity of the note as it bore the name “Joel Malanji.” Following clarification from medical personnel, the court extended the benefit of doubt and ordered Malanji to appear on Monday.

According to the State, between January 1, 2020, and August 31, 2021, Yamba, in his capacity as Secretary to the Treasury, authorised the transfer of K108,401,197 to the Zambian Mission in Turkey without following laid-down procedure.

Malanji, meanwhile, was accused of possessing properties reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime, including a Bell 430 helicopter, a Bell 206 Jet Ranger, the Gibson Royal Hotel, and three houses in Silverest—allegedly acquired using money siphoned from the Zambian Mission in Turkey.

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