On Tuesday 23rd of April 2024, reports filtered through the internet that Zambia FA (FAZ) President Andrew Kamanda had been arrested by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC). The DEC have a shared mandate to investigate money related offences and not exclusively on drug related incidents.
As reports of his arrest made their way on the Internet, it emerged that he had received summons from the same office to present himself in relation to a case where two persons are alleged to have received FAZ funding to attend the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Ivory Coast, in which Zambia had qualified for.
Infact earlier reports cited DEC Director General Neson Banda cautioning FAZ officials from speculation on the nature of the summons, cautious not to get in the cross-hairs of statutes of the World Governing Body FIFA.
The individuals quizzed by DEC were,
- Andrew Kamanga, FAZ President
- Reuben Kamanga, FAZ General Secretary
- Madalitso Kamanga
- Jairous Siame
They were jointly charged with offenses which include:
- Obtaining money by false pretense
- Obtaining pecuniary advantage by false pretense
- Conspiracy to defraud
But ironically, no court appearance was entered.
Zambia FA (FAZ) President Andrew Kamanga leaving DEC offices accompanied by federation officials yesterday.
An FAZ spokesperson told BBC Sport that Andrew Kamanga’s arrest was “part of a long-term plan to bring [into] question” his reputation ahead of the governing body’s elections next year.
FAZ is set to hold its annual general meeting in Lusaka this weekend and the spokesperson added that the position of the organisation’s president was not under threat.
“There is no immediate risk of Mr Kamanga being out of FAZ because this is just an arrest and the matter has to go to court – if at all there is any merit,” they said.
The stakes are especially high because Andrew Kamanga has expressed interest in the position of FIFA Council member reserved for the Anglophone collective of African countries. The position is currently held by former Nigeria FA (NFF) President Amaju Pinnick.
Speculation is rife that the matter at play could be having the hidden hand of non-state actors at large, manipulating some vicious opponents into waging the choreographed media campaign witnessed yesterday.
FAZ is preparing the Copper Queens women’s national football team for the forthcoming Paris Olympics after their sensational qualification against hosts Morocco on April 9th this month.
In pursuing this case, the DEC office have exercised extreme restraint and professionalism, as they seek to strike a balance between addressing the said allegations and not compromising national interest as regards to forthcoming national team assignments.
Stakeholders in Zambia are equally calling for similar considerations should his FIFA Council bid materialize, last held in the region by Malawi FA (FAM) former President Walter Nyamilandu.
