Zambian authorities on Wednesday seized two cars from the wife of opposition leader Michael Sata, in connection with money laundering allegations against her husband dating back to elections in 2008.
“The vehicles were brought to the Drug Enforcement Commission's headquarters this morning by Sata’s drivers and lawyers,” said DEC spokesperson John Nyawali in a statement.
Zambia's Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) also investigates money-laundering.
Sata, the leader of the Patriotic Front (PF), was summoned twice last month over a 100 000 dollar (about R689 801) transaction at Finance Bank but he has not been charged.
The DEC said the cars seized from Sata's wife, Charity Kaseba, were worth the same sum.
“The seizure of a Chevrolet and Isuzu double cab valued at 100,000 dollars is in connection with the ongoing investigations involving the 100,000 dollar transaction at Finance Bank,” the statement said.
Edward Mumbi, the former secretary general of PF, claimed Sata gave money to a Catholic priest who was a noted critic of President Rupiah Banda's government, to campaign against the president and destabilise the country.
Mumbi has since defected to Banda's Movement for Multiparty Democracy.
Banda and Sata have both declared their candidacy for presidential elections due next year. Sata narrowly lost their last contest in 2008, claiming 39 percent of the vote to Banda's 41
percent. -
Sapa-AFP