Zambia’s Foreign Minister Stanley Kakubo resigned last Tuesday, hours after he was embroiled in a social media frenzy over alleged dealings with a Chinese businessman. A video and documents which circulated on social media showed he collected $200,000 and a luxury car from a Chinese named Zhang Lianan of Lianan Mining Ltd in Kitwe. (The documents were never verified).

After the pictures emerged of him leaving with a noticeably heavy parcel, he claimed it was a calendar and diary he had collected from Sinoma. He couldn’t explain why he was collecting calendars four months after they were distributed.

Kakubo, who had been foreign minister since September 2021, said in a letter he was quitting because of “malicious claims over a business transaction”.

“President Hakainde Hichilema has accepted the resignation of the honourable Stanley Kakubo MP from his cabinet position as minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation,” said an official statement.
It gave no reason for the resignation but added: “The president acknowledges the commendable work and leadership” of Kakubo in the government.

Soon after the announcement he quickly issued a statement via his social media platform.

Below is the letter:

Dear All,
In view of the matter that is currently in the media regarding malicious claims over a business transaction between my private family business and our business partner with whom we still have good relations, I tendered in my resignation as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Zambia.
This decision is to ensure that our Government is not distracted from continuing to look for solutions for bettering the lives of our people.
I remain loyal to his Excellency, The President,Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, to the Government of Zambia and to our party the United Party for National Development, that has sponsored me twice as Member of Parliament.
I will continue to diligently serve the people of Kapiri Mposhi as Member of Parliament.
Let me take this opportunity to thank His Excellency the President, my cabinet colleagues and staff at Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their support while I served as Minister.
In due course we shall put the story into correct context.
S. K. K. 26.12.23