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The Vision Network Foundation (VNF), a Luapula Province-based civil society organisation, has praised the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) for securing the convictions of former Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Malanji and former Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Yamba, while calling for tougher anti-corruption laws.
In a statement on Friday, VNF Executive Director Maxwell Luchile said that although his organisation welcomed the convictions—Malanji was sentenced to four years and Yamba to three years—the penalties were too lenient for the gravity of the offences committed.
“VNF extends its congratulations to the DEC on securing the conviction of Mr. Malanji and Mr. Yamba. However, we are deeply concerned by the four-year sentence handed down to Mr. Malanji for such a serious crime,” Luchile said.
He added that the ruling represented a setback in the fight against misappropriation of public resources, stressing that the court missed a critical opportunity to set a stern example.
“This degree of leniency risks sending the message that politically connected individuals are above the law and can escape with minimal consequences when they misuse the people’s resources,” he said.
Luchile emphasised that elective public office is a position of trust held on behalf of the citizens, and offenders should face stiff punishment to safeguard public confidence.
He further urged Justice Minister Princess Kasune to introduce a bill in Parliament to strengthen penalties for corruption-related offences.
“We also call on the Director of Public Prosecutions to appeal this year’s sentence promptly,” he added.
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