The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has confirmed that incumbent Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Andrew Kamanga’s case, in which he was accused of obtaining money under false pretenses is still active, but negotiations for an out-of-court settlement are ongoing.
This comes after aspiring FAZ president Godfrey Chikumbi wrote to the enforcement to enquire about the status of the case. Chikumbi, one of nine candidates who filed nominations to challenge the incumbent president, argued that Kamanga cannot pass the integrity test to recontest the FAZ elections set to be held on March 29, 2025, in Livingstone because he is facing a pending case.
The DEC said on Wednesday that, “Arising from a series of queries from the Press on the status of the Case of The People Vs Andrew Kamanga, President of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), and three (03) others, the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), wishes to confirm that the matter is still active”
The statement continued: “As per procedure, the DEC submitted a Docket of the Case to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for guidance. Having reviewed the contents of the Docket, the DPP provided the needed guidance to the DEC for further processing.
“During the course of these interactions, consultations on the possibility of an out – of Court settlement commenced. This route is still underway.”
What happened?
In April 2023, DEC arrested Kamanga, FAZ secretary general Rueben Kamanga, and two others for obtaining money under false pretenses, a violation of Section 309 of the Penal Code Cap 87 of the Zambian laws.
Kamanga and others were accused of misappropriating state funds totaling K341,902.00, which are believed to have been paid to two non-FAZ officials, Madalitso Kamanga and Jairous Siame, including K99,980 for air tickets to Ivory Coast for the 2023 AFCON.
“DEC investigations revealed that the suspects, while acting together, obtained K341, 902.00 from the Government of the Republic of Zambia under false pretenses. This money was purportedly allocated as allowances for Madalitso Kamanga and Jairous Siame to attend the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The allowances were transferred into their personal accounts, with each one (Madalitso and Jairous) getting K170, 951.00. Furthermore, the duo also obtained return tickets valued at K99,980.00,” read DEC’s statement in April last year.
According to DEC, the fraudulent activity transpired between January 1 and February 15, 2024, coinciding with the dates of the Africa Cup of Nations held in Ivory Coast from January 13 to February 11, 2024. However, Kamanga denied wrongdoing.
