Former Zambia President's son seized

Zambian authorities Thursday arrested former President Rupiah Banda’s son Andrew for alleged corruption, according to an investigations official.

Investigative wings late April interrogated Mr Andrew Banda, who is also the deputy High Commissioner to India, for allegedly soliciting a cut from an Italian construction company, Fratelli Locci, and over money suspected to be proceeds of crime, allegations he denies.

“Mr Banda is alleged to have solicited a two per cent payment from an Italian construction company against payment received from the Road Development Agency on both current and future projects. The solicitation is alleged to have been by way of an agreement dated 22nd June 2011 signed by Mr Banda and Antonello Locci and witnessed by Mr Banda’s daughter Ketiwe Banda,"

joint government investigations team spokesperson Namukolo Kasumpa told journalists Wednesday.

“Out of the two per cent, Mr Banda actually received a sum of $31,894 (K171, 065,700) from Mr Antonelli Locci, managing director of Fratelli Locci SRI Limited.”

Ms Kasumpa said Andrew further failed to account for the deposits made to his Stanbic Bank account, amounting to $67,542 (K360, 330, 000), money suspected to be proceeds of crime.

Mr Banda was later released on bond.

The Zambian Government is pursuing another of Mr Banda’s son, Henry, for unspecified corrupt allegations.

Henry currently lives in South Africa and has vowed not to return to his home country in the absence of unspecified charges.