Swazi Observer

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ICIJ REPORT, UNVERIFIED, UTTER LIES – EX-PRESIDENT

By PHEPHILE MOTAU | 2024-04-23

Former Zambia president, Edgar Lungu, says the ICIJ report, ‘Swazi Secrets’ is based on unverified information, and in many cases, utter lies as it alleges that he owns luxurious property in the country.

The former president, who served two terms from 2015 to 2021, also stated that the report by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) titled: ‘Swazi Secrets - a glimpse inside the tiny Kingdom’ was full of innuendos.

In his verified Facebook page and carried by various publications in Zambia, Lungu said the report had been brought to his attention and further following that the Infrastructure Minister, Charles Milupi, had challenged him to explain the source of the money for the investment.

The erstwhile leader of the Zambia Political Front also said he had kept quiet when the allegations first came up because of his deep respect for His Majesty King Mswati III.

He also stated that he had now been compelled to respond because he did not expect a senior minister in government to throw such a challenge at him when the government – using the state machinery – could easily establish the truth of the matter.

He said a casual read of the ICIJ report showed that it was based on unverified information, innuendos and in many cases, utter lies.

“The report, inter alia, alleges that I own a luxurious property in Eswatini. The truth of the matter, however, is that I own no property in Eswatini,” stated the former president.

Lungu went on to state that during an official visit to Eswatini as Head of State in 2018, His Majesty King Mswati III, during exchange of gifts offered him a plot on which he proposed that he (Lungu) could build a house.

He said the empty plot was in a gated golf estate and architectural drawings of the proposed house were prepared.

“I was extremely grateful for the offer from His Majesty, King Mswati III, but I chose not to take it up particularly after the hullabaloo in Zambia, alleging that the gift was not declared,” he said.

“I am not surprised, however, because this government has gone to great lengths in throwing all manner of baseless accusations at me,” he said.

He said, therefore, it could clearly be seen that this was not a new allegation as it had been popping up occasionally, especially from malicious people whose fervent desire is to paint him black.

In 2018, it was reported that Lungu would build a mansion worth about US$3.9 million on Lot 225 of Farm Nkonyeni III, which is situated past Sidvokodvo area in the Manzini region.

Zambian newspapers reported about the mansion with opposition parties questioning and demanding to know how he acquired the land.

Plan

An architectural plan of the structure was also leaked and copies were circulating on different social media platforms and online newspapers.

The ICIJ alleged in December 2021, the Zambian Financial Intelligence Centre submitted a request for assistance to the EFIU to verify information related to allegations that Lungu had used the proceeds of corruption to build his Eswatini mansion. In response to the request, in February 2022, the EFIU found that there was no property in Eswatini directly linked to Lungu.

However, it was then alleged that the property in question was linked to Inyatsi Group Holdings Chairman Michelo Shakantu.

Lungu said the attack on Shakantu, Inyatsi Group Holdings Chairman, was malicious.

The ICIJ report alleges that the property belonging to Lungu is registered under Shakantu.

“The Zambian Government offers business opportunities and construction jobs to many international companies from different nations such as China, Turkey, Japan, South Africans, to name but a few,” he said.

Lungu said in this vein, Inyatsi company which is associated with Michelo Shakantu has enjoyed doing business in Zambia even before he became president.

“His company, to my knowledge, has had footprint of business since the days of President Levy Mwanawasa to date,” Lungu added.

He said it was therefore, malicious and mischievous to suggest or portray that Mr Shakantu conducted business with the Zambian Government only during my tenure as president.”

Ex-president worthy to be taken seriously – King’s Office

King’s Office Spokesperson Percy Simelane says Edgar Lungu is worthy of being taken seriously for what he says.

Simelane said Lungu said he did not own any property in Eswatini and that he did not take the piece of land offered to him by the king. “It would be therefore folly of us to respond to a land ownership that did not take off. To us he is witness number one worthy of being taken seriously for what he says,” Simelane said.

Exist

He said journalistically, that which has been stalled does not exist and never existed.

“By principle we don’t give pendulum responses that hang from nowhere,” Simelane said.

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