On September 19, 2018, Zambia’s president Edgar Lungu sacked the minister of community development following embezzlement charges (embezzlement which led some western partners to halt their bilateral aids to that country).  

“His Excellency, President Edgar Lungu has acted swiftly, relieving the Honorable E. Kabanshi (photo) as minister of community development following the misuse of funds allegations in her ministry”, Dora Siliya, the government spokesperson, wrote on her Twitter account.  

On September 17, 2018, UK announced suspension of its bilateral aid to Zambia after media sources indicated that funds were being embezzled from a government social assistance program.

UK ambassador to Zambia Fergus Cochrane-Dyet, explained that this decision was taken due to information according to which ZMK44 million ($4 million) had not been disbursed to the beneficiaries of that program. “The UK maintains a zero-tolerance approach to fraud and corruption”, he added.

Sweden, Ireland, and Finland also announced the suspension of their aid to Zambia over those same suspicions.

Let’s note that a day before Emerine Kabanshi’s dismissal, Zambia’s president said he was seriously concerned over the allegations and had ordered an investigation.