A former Zambian cabinet minister who has reportedly accused government officials of corruption will appear in court on Friday on graft charges himself, a spokesperson for the country’s anti-graft agency said.
Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) spokesman Jonathan Siame said that former Information and Broadcasting Services minister Chishimba Kambwili was in police custody after being arrested.
Siame revealed that Kambwili will be charged with 39 counts of corruption.
He has been charged with 39 counts (of corruption), including 37 to do with possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime,” Siame said.
If convicted, Kambwili – who still serves as a member of parliament allied to the ruling party – faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
Kambwili was not available to comment. His lawyer Keith Mweemba said he would defend the lawmaker in court.
Kambwili was dismissed from cabinet in November 2016, and has repeatedly accused government officials of corruption, but without providing evidence, even after being given an opportunity to do so in parliament.
The government denies the allegations.
