Court also hears that former minister made transactions after foreign trips
CHOMBA MUSIKA
Lusaka
A MAGISTRATE heard that former Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Malanji wrote to a bank requesting to be making regular deposits of over US$100,000 into an account of a company in which he owns shares.
During cross-examination, principal state advocate Gracelia Mulenga asked the accused to confirm having written to a local bank on October 5, 2020, on plans to start depositing cash in the Gibson Power Systems account.
In response, Malanji said “yes”, before the prosecutor produced the same letter and asked him to read it.
“What is the reference on that letter?” Ms Mulenga, who is from the National Prosecution Authority’s Taxation and Financial Crimes Department, asked the accused, who replied “…daily limits cash deposits”.
“You were informing the bank you would make regular deposits of more than US$100,000?” the prosecutor asked the accused, who said “yes”, adding: “But it was the company.”
“Who is chairman [of the company]?” Ms Mulenga asked the accused, who said: “Me.”
The court heard during trial that Malanji, while he was minister, allegedly made various bank deposits when he returned to the country from foreign trips.
“You can confirm that you returned from Turkey on December 29, 2020?” Ms Mulenga asked Malanji, who said “yes”.
When asked to tell the court the opening balance that was in Gibson Power Systems’ Stanbic Bank account on December 30, 2020, the accused said “US$59”..https://enews.daily-mail.co.zm/
