By Staff Reporter
These arrests are for show but there is time for everything, says Kwacha member of parliament (PF) Joe Malanji.
Commenting on his arrest by the Drug Enforcement Commission over money laundering charges, Malanji claimed that PF leaders were being arrested just to create an impression that they were corrupt.
But asked how he acquired the hotel with renovations done on it, the helicopter and other properties he has been arrested for, some even seized from him, Malanji said he acquired Buchi Hotel before he even contemplated becoming a member of parliament.
“If you are mature enough you will know that these arrests are for show. When you look at the Hotel I was not even thinking of being an MP,” said the former Foreign Affairs minister in the PF administration, who however, did not respond on the acquisition of the helicopter for instance. “These arrests are for show but there is always time for everything.”
DEC through its Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit (AMLIU) in Lusaka Province has arrested Malanji for money laundering activities involving K10 million and $700,000.00.
Mr. Joseph Malanji, a male aged 56, residing at Plot Number 179 Acacia Road, Roma Park, in Lusaka, has been arrested for being in possession of property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime contrary to section 71 subsection (1) of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act No. 19 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offence are that Joseph Malanji in his capacity as Director at Gibson Royal Hotel in Buchi, Kitwe did obtain a loan to facilitate for the development and renovations of the said hotel and that on dates unknown but between 1st January 2020 and 31st August 2021 jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, did obtain K10,000,000.00, property reasonably suspected to be proceed of crime and used it to pay off the loan.
In the second count, Mr. Malanji is believed to have procured a helicopter namely Bell 206 Jet Ranger at $700,000.00, property reasonably suspected to be proceed of crime.
The hotel has since been seized together with the two helicopters (the other one beingthe helicopter he was arrested for earlier) which are currently in South Africa and arrangements are being made to have them brought into the country.
