Emerine Kabanshi has become the latest sacrificial lamb in the Patriotic Front(PF) regime’s desire to clear its image that has been tainted by corruption allegations, United Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia (UPPZ) National Spokesperson Francis Kope has said referring to the arrest of the Former Community and Development Minister on alleged abuse of authority.

Mr Kope says Kabanshi is a casulty of the selective fight against corruption and abuse of authority which is not extended to those enjoying the warmth of incumbency.

Trouble in the Ministry of Community Development started when social cash, money meant for the poor was reportedly stolen.

The abused money left scars on Kabanshi’s political fortunes as she lost her job and the eventual arrest for allegedly abusing her authority when she served as Minister.

Presidential Spokesperson Amos Chanda later cleared the air that the money was not abused but that it was safely in the Zanaco account but this did little to return Kabanshi to the Cabinet

Mr Kope said if Amos Chanda, President Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s Spokesperson was telling the truth that the embazzeled vulnerable people’s money was intact in a bank, then why are the investigative wing of Government after Kabanshi.

“I want to believe that Amos Chanda who speaks on behalf of the President was telling the truth and if President Lungu said at the time that the money was not stolen then why are they after Kabanshi?
What has changed today?
Mr Kope wondered. ”

The UPPZ spokesperson who is also Chilanga Constituency shadow MP said manouvures to bring down the Former Minister through vague abuse of authority case has come at a time when madam Kabanshi is supposed to serve her people in the Constituency.

“Leave Madam Kabanshi alone. She has a duty to serve the people of Luapula Constituency,” the UPPZ National Spokesperson said.

On Wednesday, 15th May, 2019 – The Joint Investigations Team (JIT) comprising the Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit (AMLIU) of the Drug Enforcement Commission and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) arrested former  Kabanshi, for abuse of authority of office.

Ms. Emerine Kabanshi, 54, a politician residing at Plot 800, Kanakantapa area in Chongwe District, waa arrested for abuse of authority of office, contrary to the laws of Zambia.

Particulars of the offence are that Honourable Emerine Kabanshi, in her official capacity as Minister of Community Development and Social Services, jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, on dates unknown but between 1st January, 2017 and 21st August, 2017, in Lusaka did abuse her authority of office by unduly influencing the engagement of Zambia Postal Services Corporation (ZAMPOST) as payment service provider under the Social Cash Transfer Programme, an act prejudicial to the interests of the Government of the Republic of Zambia and beneficiaries under the Social Cash Transfer Programme.

Additionally, Honourable Kabanshi, on dates unknown but between 21st August, 2017 and 26th April, 2018, in her official capacity as Minister of Community Development and Social Services did abuse her authority of office by directing the extension of the Zambia Postal Services Corporation scope of works under the Social Cash Transfer Programme to include areas which were not covered in the initial contract.

Further, having probable and justifiable cause to believe that the said contract was duly terminated by the Ministry, Honourable Emerine Kabanshi did abuse her authority of office by directing the rescission of the termination of the contract between Zambia Postal Services Corporation (ZAMPOST) and the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, an act prejudicial to the interests of the Government of the Republic of Zambia and Beneficiaries under the said programme.

The suspect is on Police bond and will appear in court soon.

Theresa Katongo Public Relations Officer (Drug Enforcement Commission)