Zambia Jails Former Army Commander Over Graft

Musengule was sentenced to up to four years in prison on each of the charges, with the sentences running concurrently.

Former army commander Geojago Musengule was jailed for four years by a Zambian court on Monday for corruption while he headed the military under former President Frederick Chiluba.

Musengule was convicted on 12 counts of graft and abuse of office for handing his business ally Amon Sibande a lucrative contract to supply fuel to the army without following government tender procedures.

Western donors and international agencies have praised Zambia's government for tackling corruption in a crackdown introduced by late President Levy Mwanawasa.

Musengule was sentenced to up to four years in prison on each of the charges, with the sentences running concurrently.

Musengule's jailing comes after former air force commander Christopher Singogo was late last month jailed for six years and later four years in two separate corruption cases.

Zambia has in the last six years jailed several prominent figures including senior officials and ministers who served under Chiluba. Chiluba is facing charges of theft of public funds amounting to $488,000, but denies any wrongdoing.