Chitalu Chilufya has been health minister for nearly four years
LUSAKA, July 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Zambia’s Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya has denied the four charges of corruption being levelled against him.
“I understand the charges and I plead not guilty,” he said in a Lusaka magistrates’ court.
The 47-year-old doctor and politician was detained last month and then freed on bail by the police following an investigation by the country’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
He is accused of “being in possession of property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime,” ACC spokesperson Jonathan Siame said at the time of his arrest.
The anti-corruption commission said it noticed last month that Chilufya had suddenly amassed a fortune.
He is accused of acquiring property, shares in a travel company and a boat.
The ACC has had little success in prosecuting people in senior government positions.
Last year, Ronald Chitotela, who was then housing minister, was arrested but continued to serve in government and was cleared of the charges. — NNN-AGENCIES
