LUSAKA | September 3, 2025 – Former Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Yamba has been convicted on Counts 1 and 2 in the ongoing corruption trial that has gripped the nation, where he stands jointly charged with former Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Malanji.
Delivering judgment at the Lusaka Magistrate Court, Magistrate Irene Wishimanga ruled that Yamba unlawfully authorised the release of public funds for the procurement of embassy property in Turkey, a decision made outside established financial and legal procedures.
The Convictions
- Count 1: Abuse of Office
Yamba was found guilty of abusing his authority by approving the disbursement of USD 4.6 million for the purchase of property for the Zambian Mission in Turkey. The court heard that this was done outside the approved budgetary framework and without parliamentary approval. - Count 2: Unlawful Authorisation of Funds
He was further convicted for breaching financial regulations, having circumvented procurement protocols, failed to obtain Cabinet authority, and neglected to engage the Ministry of Works and Supply (now Infrastructure) – the government agency mandated to handle state real estate acquisitions.
Magistrate Wishimanga stated that Yamba’s decisions enabled the diversion of public resources and directly facilitated money laundering activities that are central to subsequent charges linked to Malanji.