Zambia’s health minister arrested on corruption charges

Zambia’s anti-corruption authority arrested Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya on corruption charges

“Dr Chilufya was arrested today (Wednesday) and charged with four counts of possession of property reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime,” the government spokesman Jonathan Siame told the press.

He was subsequently released on bail and is expected to appear before the Lusaka Magistrates Court on July 9.

If convicted he could face up to five years in jail.

His arrest is seen as a setback for the Zambian government as it struggles to contain the spread of the Covid-19 outbreak.  He tested positive for the virus attack last month.

Anti-corruption campaigners are now calling for Dr. Chilufya to resign.

“It’s either he steps down to save his dignity or the appointing authority must act,” McDonald Chipenzi Executive Director Governance, Elections, Advocacy Research Services initiative told local media.

His arrest comes barely a week after his Zimbabwean counterpart Dr Obaidah Mayo was arrested and charged with criminal abuse of office.

The post Zambia’s health minister arrested on corruption charges first appeared on The African Gazette.