The president of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has been apprehended and accused of engaging in money laundering activities.
The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) of the country has accused Andrew Kamanga, the president of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), of obtaining government funds under false pretenses and participating in a conspiracy to defraud.
According to the DEC, the 57-year-old allegedly utilized the funds to sponsor trips for two associates to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations held in Ivory Coast earlier this year.
Madalitso Kamanga and Jairous Siame, who traveled to the tournament as part of FAZ’s support staff, have also been charged, along with FAZ general secretary Reuben Kamanga.
An investigation revealed that neither Madalitso Kamanga nor Siame held official or executive positions within FAZ.
The group is alleged to have collaborated in obtaining 341,902 Zambian kwacha ($13,150 or £10,580) from the government for expenses, as well as an additional 99,980 kwacha ($3,850 or £3,095) for return flights to Ivory Coast.
The fraudulent activities are said to have occurred between January 1st and February 15th, coinciding with the Nations Cup finals where Zambia exited at the group stage.
An Faz spokesperson said Andrew Kamanga’s arrest was “part of a long-term plan to bring [into] question” his reputation ahead of the governing body’s elections next year.
Faz is set to hold its annual general meeting in Lusaka this weekend and the spokesperson added that the position of the organisation’s president was not under threat.
“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,” they said.
A DEC statement added that the suspects are “finalising bond processes” and “will appear in court soon”.