Officials in Zambia have stated they will investigate a video that appears to show Foreign Minister Stanley Kakubo accepting piles of cash from a Chinese businessman. Kakubo, who has since resigned, has denied wrongdoing, stating that he stepped as to not be a distraction to the government.
Zambian Foreign Minister Stanley Kakubo participates in a memorandum of understanding signing ceremony with US Secretary Antony Blinken and Democratic Republic of the Congo Foreign Minister Christophe Lutundula, in Washington, DC, on December 13, 2022.
While not going so far as denying that it was him in the video, he says that there were "malicious claims over a business transaction between my private family business and our business partner."
"In due course, we will provide the accurate context," he said. The Associated Press reports that Kakubo would keep his position as a member of parliament despite resigning from his prior role.
The newswire also reported that they Zambian Anti-Corruption Commission said it would investigate the circumstances surrounding the video.
The video in question purportedly shows three men counting stacks of money on a table, some in U.S. dollars and some in Zambian kwacha. Though none of the men's faces are visible, the Chinese national in question was identified as the owner of a mining company.
Kakubo has been accused of receiving $200,000 and a Mercedes-Benz in the deal.
It's the second time Kakubo has been accused of taking a payoff. Last year, he was accused of taking payoffs from another Chinese national after being photographed with a bag last year at a cement factory.
It was also reported by Africa News that an online image surfaced displaying a handwritten and signed note that suggested a monetary exchange of $100,000 between a Chinese mining company and a Zambian mining company. Although the note included the names of Mr. Kabuko and a Mr. Zang, further details were not readily available.
Chinese nationals reportedly have over 600 businesses operating in Zambia, according to the Chinese Embassy.
Zambia is one of the top copper producers in the world and also has deposits of cobalt, nickel, and manganese.
