Melody Zekey

The German Ambassador to Zambia Anne Wagner-Mitchell rejected and returned a gift box of electronic gadgets from a local CEO in Zambia citing conflict of interest laws for German civil servants.
You should have donated to the poor, she said in her letter.
In a statement the ambassador said:
“As a Germany public official, I’m compelled to avoid even the appearance of gaining any personal advantage or to be susceptible to influence with regard to official duties.”
Christmas cards yes, but gifts beyond a minor value: Return to sender,” she said.
Below is the letter she wrote and the returned gift!

Embassy
of the Federal Republic of Germany Lusaka
Lusaka, 11 December 2023

Dear Mr. (name withheld)
Last week I received a package with a “Seasons Greetings”card from your company.The package contained several electronic gadgets, including, amongst others, a power bank, a flash drive and a thermos flask with digital temperature display.
Please be informed that as a German civil servant and public official I am compelled by law to avoid even the appearance to be gaining any personal advantage or benefits that may arise from my formal duties or to be susceptible to any influence from an external source.
Hence, I am not allowed to accept any gifts beyond those of a very minor value. I am hereby returning the gift box sent to me by your company.
Please do not send me any gifts in the future. I am sure the money spent on these gifts would be highly appreciated as a donation to a charitable organization caring for the most vulnerable and poor of Zambia’s society.
Sincerely,
Dr. Anne Wagner-Mitchell Aue hoyus-litde
Ambassador

On the contrary, Zambian foreign minister Stanley Kakubo is embroiled in a scandal involving accepting (red-envelop) money or gifts an act regarded as corrupt. He has since resigned due to pressure from the alleged corrupt act. The Zambian presidency accepted his resignation.