Former Defence minister, Mwamba, sentenced to five years for corruption

Former Defence Minister, Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba (GBM), has been sentenced to five years in prison after being convicted on corruption-related charges.

His family broke down in tears as Magistrate Stanford Ngobola delivered the sentence at the Economic and Financial Crimes Court.

Mwamba, who suffers from a heart condition, had his sister, Ruth Mwamba, plead with President Hakainde Hichilema for a pardon on health grounds.

GBM faced multiple charges, including eight counts of conflict of interest, one count of money laundering, and 15 charges related to possession of tainted property.

He pleaded not guilty, but was found guilty on 13 counts, with charges 14 to 24 dismissed.

Magistrate Ngobola, in delivering judgment, noted that the state had called 23 witnesses and found a conflict of interest in Mwamba’s dealings with Curzon Global Zambia, a company linked to his daughter, Thandiwe Mwamba.

Ngobola stated, “Any business dealings between GBM or his daughter with Curzon Global constituted a conflict of interest, regardless of any declaration of interest.” He also found Mwamba guilty of money laundering, citing that US$620,000 linked to the case was a proceed of crime.

In mitigation, Mwamba’s lawyers, led by Kelvin Fube Bwalya (KBF) and Bonaventure Mutale, SC, urged for leniency, citing his health issues and status as a first-time offender.

They argued that a custodial sentence would endanger his life due to his heart condition.

However, Magistrate Ngobola emphasized the gravity of the offences, sentencing Mwamba to five years with hard labor on counts one to eight, three years with hard labor on counts 10 to 13, and a K50,000 fine for count nine, with a default sentence of nine months imprisonment.

Following the sentencing, Ruth Mwamba appealed to President Hichilema, highlighting GBM’s role in strengthening the UPND in Northern Province and his contributions to the party.

“We ask you, Mr President, to consider his contributions and release him,” she pleaded.

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