The president of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), Andrew Kamanga has been arrested and charged with money laundering offences.

The country’s Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) alleges that Andrew Kamanga obtained government funds under false pretences and was part of a conspiracy to defraud.

The DEC says the 57-year-old used the money to fund trips for two associates to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast earlier this year.

Madalitso Kamanga and Jairous Siame – the two individuals who travelled to the tournament as part of Faz’s support staff – have also been charged, along with Faz general secretary Reuben Kamanga.

An investigation revealed that neither Madalitso Kamanga, who is no relation to Andrew Kamanga, nor Siame held official or executive positions within Faz.

The quartet are alleged to have acted together to obtain 341,902 Zambian kwacha ($13,150 £10,580) from the government for expenses and a further 99,980 kwacha ($3,850 £3,095) for return flights to Ivory Coast.

The DEC says the fraudulent activity occurred between 1 January and 15 February, coinciding with the Nations Cup finals where Zambia exited at the group stage.

Andrew Kamanga said Madalitso Kamanga and Siame, officials at club sides Lusaka Dynamos and National Assembly respectively, were “part and parcel of Faz”.

Source: GraphicOnline