By 
Former Home Affairs Minister, Stephen Kampyongo, was acquitted of corruption charges on Friday, but his relief was overshadowed by the conviction of his wife, Wanziya Chirwa.
Kampyongo, who faced 12 counts of corruption alongside his wife, walked free, while Chirwa was sentenced to three years in prison for corruption-related offenses.
Magistrate Sylvia Munyinya, who presided over the case, found Chirwa guilty of five counts of corruption.
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The charges stemmed from the couple’s alleged possession of properties suspected to have been acquired through proceeds of crime.
Despite the joint charges, Magistrate Munyinya acquitted Kampyongo, stating there was insufficient evidence to convict him.
The case, investigated by the Financial and Crimes Enforcement Commission (EFCC), involved the forfeiture of several properties linked to the couple.
The EFCC argued that these properties were tainted, being proceeds of illegal activities.
While Kampyongo was acquitted, the court ruled that Chirwa played a significant role in the corrupt dealings, leading to her conviction.
During sentencing, Chirwa’s defense lawyer, Leon Lemba, pleaded for leniency, emphasizing that his client was a first-time offender.
He appealed for a non-custodial sentence under Section 71(1) of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act, referencing similar cases where offenders received suspended sentences, such as in The People vs Nevers Mumba.
Lemba argued that the Penal Code, under Section 16, supports leniency for first-time offenders.
He cited the Supreme Court ruling in Phiri vs The People (1970), which stressed that leniency allowed individuals to learn from their mistakes without needing a harsh sentence.
“The reason for dealing with first offenders leniently is the hope that a severe sentence is not necessary and that a more lenient sentence would teach a lesson,” Lemba said, urging the court to impose a suspended sentence or a fine.
However, Magistrate Munyinya ruled that Chirwa’s involvement in the corrupt dealings warranted a custodial sentence.
While she acknowledged the mitigation, the court found the offenses serious enough to merit imprisonment.
Chirwa’s charges related to properties valued at millions of kwacha, included;
1. Property number F/135/4301 and F/179/4301 located in Eureka Park off Kafue Road, valued at K11,100,000
2. Properties located in Meanwood Ndeke, Lusaka, valued at K2,100,000.
3. Properties in Foxdale, Ibex Hill, and Mikango, Lusaka, with combined values of over K9,800,000.
4. Two bank accounts with K1,382,513.84 and K1,200,000 held with Indo Zambia Bank.
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