Lusaka, Monday, June 30, 2025 – The Economic and Financial Crimes Court – High Court Division has upheld the three-year custodial sentence imposed on former Deputy Inspector General of Police Charity Katanga, dismissing her appeal against conviction for possessing suspected proceeds of crime.
Katanga had challenged her 2024 conviction relating to the possession of ten Higer buses, valued at over K26 million, which the state alleged were acquired through illicit means.
In a unanimous judgment delivered on Monday, a panel comprising Justices Pixie Yangailo, Anne Ononuju, and Susan Wanjelani found that Katanga had failed to provide sufficient evidence proving the buses were lawfully obtained.
“The appellant did not satisfactorily demonstrate the legitimate acquisition of these assets, and as such, the conviction stands,” Justice Yangailo stated in the ruling.
The court’s decision reaffirms the original sentence handed down by the lower court, meaning Katanga will serve her three-year prison term.
The case, prosecuted by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), is part of a broader crackdown on high-profile individuals suspected of amassing wealth through corrupt practices.
Legal experts say the judgment underscores the judiciary’s firm stance on combating economic crimes, particularly among public officials.
Katanga’s legal team has yet to indicate whether they will pursue further appeals.
