Lusaka, Zambia – Zambia’s Foreign Minister, Stanley Kakubo, abruptly resigned on Tuesday, embroiled in a social media storm swirling around alleged improper dealings with a Chinese businessman. The news sent shockwaves through the nation, leaving questions and uncertainty hanging in the air.
Kakubo, who assumed the role in September 2021, offered a terse explanation for his departure in a letter – “malicious claims over a business transaction.” This cryptic statement followed viral circulation of a video online, depicting two individuals suspiciously counting stacks of cash on a table.
Further muddying the waters was a handwritten note, purportedly dated July 2022, surfacing online. The document detailed a $100,000 exchange between a Chinese mining firm and a Zambian one, with names vaguely resembling Kakubo and a Mr. Zang. Neither the video nor the note have been definitively verified.
While President Hakainde Hichilema formally accepted Kakubo’s resignation, the official statement remained curiously noncommittal, acknowledging the minister’s contributions while offering no details surrounding his decision.
WACHINA WALIVYOMREKODI WAZIRI AKIPOKEA RUSHWA
Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje wa Zambia Stanley Kakubo amejiuzulu baada ya kunaswa kwenye video akipokea vibunda vya dola za Marekani na kwacha ya Zambia kutoka kwa mfanyabiashara wa China
Rais Hichilema amekubali kujiuzulu kwa waziri huyo pic.twitter.com/RNtNkuekV2
— Mfanyakazi Online Media (@MfanyakaziNews) December 28, 2023Kakubo, however, swiftly issued his own clarification. He emphasized his resignation stemmed from “malicious claims” regarding a business transaction involving his private family enterprise and a longstanding business partner. He further defended his decision, claiming it aimed to prevent unnecessary distractions from the government’s ongoing efforts to improve the lives of Zambians.
Attempts to reach Kakubo for further comment proved unsuccessful. His sudden departure adds another layer of drama to Zambia’s complex relationship with China. The Asian giant plays a crucial role in Zambia’s mining sector, a vital pillar of the nation’s economy, and serves as a primary buyer of its copper.
Despite the ambiguity surrounding the resignation, one thing remains clear: the shadow of suspicion falls upon prominent figures in Zambian politics and the sensitive nature of their interactions with foreign entities. With Kakubo’s exit, the investigation into the alleged business deal and its potential implications for the government are sure to remain under intense scrutiny.
Meanwhile, Kakubo, though no longer Foreign Minister, retains his parliamentary seat and pledges continued loyalty to the government. President Hichilema, seemingly keen to leverage Kakubo’s experience, urges him to “continue to serve diligently” in his new capacity.