According to Nam News Network, his co-accused, former treasury secretary Fredson Yamba, received a three-year jail term for approving the transfer of more than $8 million to Zambias diplomatic mission in Turkey without justifying the expense. Malanji was affiliated with former president Edgar Lungu and served as his foreign minister from 2018 to 2021. He was commonly referred to as Bonanza for his reputation for generosity and public engagement.
The sentencing was delivered by Magistrate Ireen Wishimanga, who noted leniency was given to Malanji and Yamba as first-time offenders following strong mitigation arguments by their legal team. Meanwhile, critics of current President Hichilema argue that corruption persists within his administration, although no ministers have faced dismissal or prosecution.
In a related development, the US government withdrew $50 million of health sector funding to Zambia in May, citing systematic theft of medical donations. The Zambian government vowed to investigate the matter, yet no prosecutions have occurred.