Zambia’s Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya has appeared before a Lusaka magistrate and denied four counts of corruption involving alleged purchase of business shares and property with suspected proceeds of crime. SABC News reports that it was the first time Chilufya was asked to enter a plea since his arrest last month.
He faces up to five years in jail if convicted. Prosecutors allege that he used funds suspected to be proceeds from crime to acquire property, shares in a tourism firm and a passenger boat from the UAE.
Chilufya’s supporters say he is being targeted because he is a potential presidential candidate to replace President Edgar Lungu.
Polity reports that Chilufya's arrest is a test of the Zambian government's willingness to keep a promise to tackle graft amidst increased scrutiny by foreign holders of the country's massive debt.
The charges against Chilufya cover the period between December 2016 and January 2018.
The opposition is demanding that he be removed from office so that he does not interfere with the case. But President Edgar Lungu said he should continue working because he is not guilty.
[link url="https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/zambia-health-minister-denies-corruption-charges-in-court/"]Full SABC News report[/link]
[link url="https://www.polity.org.za/article/zambia-health-minister-denies-corruption-charges-in-court-2020-07-16"]Full Polity report[/link]