Zambia’s Football Association (FAZ) President, Andrew Kamanga has been detained and charged with money laundering offences.
In a statement, the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) asserts that Andrew Kamanga obtained government funds under false pretence and was part of a conspiracy to commit fraud. It further alleges that Kamanga used the funds to pay for trips for two associates to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast earlier this year.
The two associates named as Madalitso Kamanga and Jairous Siame as well as FAZ General Secretary are also being prosecuted.
Investigation revealed that neither Madalitso Kamanga nor Siame held any position in the football body.
They are being accused of fraudulently obtaining about 341,902 Zambian kwacha ($13,150) from the government for expenses and a further 99,980 kwacha ($3,850 £3,095) for return flights to Ivory Coast.
However, an FAZ spokesperson said the president’s arrest was part of a plot to tarnish his image ahead of the governing body’s elections next year.
“There is no immediate risk of Mr Kamanga being out of FAZ because this is just an arrest and the matter has to go to court – if at all there is any merit,” he said.
The DEC statement says the accused are “finalising bond processes” and “will appear in court soon”.