Zambia: President of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) – Andrew Kamanga is put behind the bars and charged with the offences of money laundering. The Drug Enforcement Commission has put allegation on him for obtaining government funds under false pretences and was a part of a conspiracy to defraud.
According to the reports by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), the FAZ president aged 57 used the money to fund the trips for two individuals to the Arica Cup of Nations 2023 (AFCON 2023) in Ivory Coast, this year.
Reportedly, the two individuals are identified as Madalitso Kamanga and Jairous Siame, who travelled to the tournament as part of the supporting staff of FAZ. Currently, they have been charged along with the general secretary of FAZ – Reuben Kamanga.
Moreover, the investigation done till now has not revealed any relation of Madalitso Kamango to Andrew Kamanga and not even any official or executive position of Jairous Siame, that he holds within FAZ.
According to the sources, four of the culprits acted together to obtain 341,902 Zambian Kwacha from the government for expenses and a further 99,980 Kwacha for their return flights to Ivory Coast.
The DEC strictly stated that the fraudulent activity occurred between Jan 01, 2024 and Feb 15, 2024, that coincides with the AFCON 2023 finals, where Zambia exited at the group stage.
In the interrogation session, Andrew Kamanga said in his verse that Madalitso Kamanga and Siame are the officials at club sides Lusaka Dynamos and National Assembly respectively, and were a part and parcel of FAZ.
The President of FAZ further said, “There was actually nothing untoward. As far as we are concerned whoever we send on assignment, whether local or foreign, they are a part and parcel of FAZ.”
“In previous eight years, I have been at FAZ and it was for the first time that we were getting such a query. We have never been given the guidance that these parties should only be for FAZ staff and executive committee members, and we did clarify that with the Ministry of Sports,” added Andrew Kamanga.
Considering this the official spokesperson for FAZ said that the arrest of Andrew Kamanga was a part of a long-term plan to bring into question and his reputation ahead of governing body elections next year.
He added that for the same, FAZ is set to hold its annual general meeting in Lusaka this weekend and there is no risk of Andrew Kamanga to be out of FAZ as it is just an arrest and the matter has to reach the court if there is any merit.