Zambia President fires Minister amid corruption scandal

Zambia’s President Edgar Lungu has fired his Minister in charge of Community Development and Social Welfare, making her the first casualty of an investigation into what happened to about four point three million dollars meant for poor families.
Chief Government Spokeswoman Dora Siliya said Mr Lungu acted “swiftly” by relieving Emerine Kabanshi of her post following allegations of the “misuse” of money in her ministry.
The money had gone missing from the Social Cash Transfer programme, and had been used to buy expensive vehicles according to the UK-based journal Africa Confidential.
The UK has suspended direct financial aid to Zambia following the allegations, saying it takes a “zero-tolerance approach” to corruption and fraud.
Zambia’s biggest opposition party, the United Party for National Development (UPND), says it was “heartbreaking that donor funding meant for old, women and children who have no other means of survival” was being “plundered”.