The Zambian Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Monday (March 21) announced the arrest of former justice minister Given Lubinda for embezzling $539,000, the latest episode in a series of lawsuits against senior executives of the previous executive, beaten during the August 2021 elections.
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Given Ludinda, 58, is currently acting president of the Patriotic Front (PF), the main opposition party in Zambia.
The anti-corruption body clarified that Given Lubinda had "
been charged with five counts of possession of property suspected of being the result of criminal activity
".
He faces five years in prison.
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The charges relate to property belonging to him as well as several deposits in bank accounts that "
are reasonably suspected to result from criminal activity
", according to an ACC statement.
Given Lubinda was released on bail before his appearance in court, the commission said.
The new president of Zambia elected in August, Hakainde Hichilema, has promised to fight corruption uncompromisingly.