Former Lungu economic advisor, Mwiinga, defends income sources in court

Hibeene Mwiinga, the former Economic Advisor to ex-president Edgar Lungu, has presented documentation to the Economic and Financial Crimes Court to verify that his sources of income were legitimate.

Mwiinga testified that during his foreign trips, he would save between US$5,000 and US$7,000 and earned K1 million during his tenure at the African Development Bank (AfDB).

Mwiinga stated that he had informed prosecutors of his intention to provide documentation regarding his income and activities before his arrest.

However, the arrest proceeded without consideration of this evidence.

“The arresting officer did not know my income from various sources, including employment, business, farming, and borrowing,” Mwiinga told the court.

To support his claims, Mwiinga presented folders containing documentation of his income, including employment records, transport and family business documents, and bank statements.

Among the documents was a testimonial from the AfDB certifying his employment and income, revealing that he received a total of US$1,059,333.61 as part of his entitlements as an advisor.

Mwiinga also submitted an attestation from the AfDB, dated July 16, 2010, in Tunisia, which granted him diplomatic exemption, including tax exemptions on earnings received from the bank.

Additionally, he presented a confidential letter from the Public Service Commission, dated September 4, 2006, confirming his secondment to the AfDB with the full support of the government.

Mwiinga, along with his wife Mercy Mwenda and son Hakaantu Mwiinga, pleaded not guilty to 72 counts of possessing property suspected to be proceeds of crime, valued at over K41 million and more than US$238,900 in cash.

The charges are under Section 71 of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act No. 19 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia.

The case continues as Mwiinga seeks to prove the legitimacy of his income and assets.

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