LUSAKA – A Zambian court on Monday convicted the country’s former air force commander Andrew Sakala of corruption, opening the door to a possible 15 year jail term.
Lieutenant General Sakala was found guilty of pocketing around a quarter of a million dollars that was earmarked for covert security operations ahead of the 2011 elections.
A Lusaka court found two other top brass — Zambia Army commander General Wisdom Lopa and Zambia National Service commander General Anthony Yeta — not guilty on the same charges.
“The prosecution has failed to prove the case against the two accused persons and I therefore acquit them,” magistrate Wilfred Muma said in court.
“I have found the accused number one guilty as charged,” the he added, referring to Sakala.
The magistrate asked Lopa and Yeta to leave the dock while Sakala remained alone.
Sakala’s attorney said he was not ready to mitigate for sentencing and the court adjourned until October 10.
The maximum sentence for the offence of theft by public servant is 15 years.
– AFP
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