Zambian Foreign Minister Stanley Kakubo Steps Down Amid Cash Video Scandal
Zambian Foreign Minister, Stanley Kakubo, has tendered his resignation in light of a video that surfaced allegedly showing him receiving a substantial sum of money from a Chinese businessman. While Mr Kakubo did not contest his presence in the video, he asserted that the ensuing controversy was diverting attention from the government’s duties.
In a similar occurrence, the former governor of Kano, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, was filmed accepting bundles of US dollars but did not step down. Instead, he was bestowed with a national chairmanship position by his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The video featuring Mr Kakubo depicts two individuals counting US dollars and Zambian kwacha in an organized manner, although their identities remain concealed. This led to widespread speculations on social media, with inquiries arising about the absence of a bank transfer and whether taxes were paid on the transaction. Moreover, unverified images of handwritten notes emerged on social media, adding complexity to the situation.
In his resignation letter, Mr Kakubo refrained from refuting the authenticity of the video or the handwritten notes, instead attributing his decision to step down to “defamatory allegations regarding a business transaction.” He expressed his desire to prevent the controversy from overshadowing the government’s initiatives to enhance the livelihoods of Zambians.
President Hakainde Hichilema accepted Mr Kakubo’s resignation, acknowledging his contributions and leadership. This is not the first instance of Mr Kakubo being embroiled in controversy, as he had previously faced accusations of bribery.
Chinese companies play a significant role in investing in Zambia, with over 600 Chinese enterprises having invested more than $3bn in the country, as reported by the Chinese embassy. Mr Kakubo’s resignation thus distinguishes him as the first minister to resign since President Hakainde Hichilema came into office, with the president’s commitment to combat corruption.
Following the resignation, former President Edgar Lungu called for an investigation into Mr Kakubo’s alleged corrupt practices. It is crucial to note that the opposition has accused President Hichilema of unfairly targeting its members in the anti-corruption campaign, an accusation which he refuted.
The situation in Zambia bears resemblance to the scandal in Nigeria involving ex-Governor Ganduje, whose videos receiving bundles of US dollar notes were confirmed to be genuine by the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC).
The impact of Mr Kakubo’s resignation on the political climate in Zambia and whether it will prompt further actions in the fight against corruption remains to be seen.
