Ex-Zambian military chief jailed
2007-11-01 08:57
Lusaka - A Zambian court sentenced a former senior military officer to jail and hard labour on Wednesday for involvement in graft during the 10-year rule of Frederick Chiluba, said court officials.
Wilford Funjika, 59, former head of a reserve military wing, the Zambia National Service (ZNS), became the latest high profile figure to be convicted and sentenced to jail for corruption during Chiluba's rule, which ended in 2001.
Lusaka High Court Acting registrar Jones Chinyama said he found Funjika guilty of receiving $31 100 as a bribe for awarding a contract to a local firm.
On a second count, Funjika was jailed for another two years for awarding a 72 000-pound contract to a British firm without following tender procedures.
Chinyama said: "I find him (Funjika) guilty on both counts ... and sentence him to two years imprisonment with hard labour on each count."
The sentences would run concurrently. Chinyama also ordered Funjika to pay back to the Treasury 15 000 pounds within 90 days.