ACC Arrests Lubinda For Corruption Totalling $539,000

The Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested acting Patriotic Front President Given Lubinda on corruption charges totalling some $539,000.

The former justice minister has been charged with five counts of possessing property reasonably suspected to be the proceeds of crime. According to his lawyer, this includes a house in Kingsland city as well as an estimated $230,000 spread across multiple bank accounts.

Mr Lubinda’s solicitor said he had been released on police bond following three hours of interrogation and would be appearing in court later this month.

Speaking to journalists following his release, Mr Lubinda accused the New Dawn government of being hypocritical – echoing sentiments put forward by former President Edgar Lungu last week. 

“Instead of going around calling people thieves, it is good that the UPND has finally arrested me, this will give me an opportunity to exonerate myself and clear my name in a competent court of jurisdiction,” he said.

Upon taking office, President Hakainde Hichilema promised a widespread crackdown on corruption. He told a BBC journalist that the rampant state capture practiced during the previous Patriotic Front administration had left the country’s coffers “literally empty”.

Since then, the New Dawn government has increased the powers and funding of the Anti Corruption Commission and redirected recovered funds into social programs, such as scholarships for university students.