A Zambian court on Thursday sentenced former foreign minister Joseph Malanji to four years in prison with hard labour for corruption.

Malanji, who served under former president Edgar Lungu from 2018 to 2021, was arrested in late 2021 for allegedly using embezzled state funds to acquire property, including two Bell 420 helicopters.

The conviction marked a rare victory for state prosecutors in the Southern Africa country.

"I have heard the spirited mitigation by counsel and taken note that the convicts are first offenders and are entitled to leniency," said magistrate Ireen Wishimanga.

The 60-year-old will serve "four years imprisonment with hard labour", she ruled.

Malanji's co-accused Fredson Yamba will serve three years, she added.

Fight against corruption

Yamba, a former secretary to the treasury, was accused of facilitating the transfer of more than $8 million without justifying the expense.

It was not immediately clear if the pair will appeal the ruling.

They were the first top officials from Lungu's government to be arrested on graft charges after President Hakainde Hichilema took office.

Hichilema has repeatedly vowed to root out corruption but critics say progress has been sluggish.