Lt Gen Wilford Funjika
| Lieutenant General Wilford Joseph Funjika | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1946 Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) |
| Died | May 23, 2014 Lusaka, Zambia |
| Allegiance | Zambia |
| Service/branch | Zambian Defence Force |
| Years of service | 1967–2002 |
| Rank | <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"></templatestyles>
|
| Commands held | Zambia National Service (1991–2002) |
Wilford Joseph Funjika (c. 1946 – 23 May 2014) was a Zambian military officer who served as Commandant of the Zambia National Service (ZNS) from 1991 to 2002. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant General during a career that spanned more than three decades. Funjika pioneered housing and early childhood education initiatives for ZNS personnel, but his career was later overshadowed by a high-profile corruption case in which he was convicted of abuse of office and imprisoned.
Early life and education
Wilford Funjika was born in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) around 1946. Details about his early life and education are not widely documented. On 6 January 1967, at approximately twenty years old, he enlisted in the Zambian Army, beginning a lifelong career in the armed forces.[1]
Military career
Rise through the ranks
Funjika steadily rose through the army, eventually attaining senior officer status. In November 1991, he was seconded from the army and appointed as Commandant of the Zambia National Service.[1] As Commandant, Funjika oversaw ZNS’s dual role of providing military support and engaging in national development programs.
Contributions and initiatives
During his tenure as Commandant (1991–2002), Funjika introduced several welfare projects:
- A housing initiative that encouraged ZNS units to construct their own residential accommodations to improve living standards for personnel.[1]
- A pre-school project aimed at providing early childhood education for the children of ZNS members.[1]
- Expanded agricultural and irrigation programs to boost food production on ZNS farms.
Retirement
Funjika retired from active service in June 2002, after 35 years in uniform. He was succeeded as Commandant by Major General Raphael Mbao.[2]
Corruption charges and conviction
Arrest and trial
In March 2004, Funjika was arrested by the Task Force on Corruption and charged with abuse of authority and corrupt practices. He was accused of improperly awarding a contract for ZNS procurement in exchange for a £15,000 bribe used to pay for his children’s education in the UK.[3]
Sentencing
On 31 October 2007, he was convicted in the subordinate court and given a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years due to health concerns. The court also ordered him to repay the £15,000.[4] However, on 10 March 2008, the High Court overturned the suspended sentence and imposed a custodial term of nine months with hard labor.[3]
Death
Funjika died on 23 May 2014 at Victoria Hospital in Lusaka after a period of illness. He was buried on 27 May 2014 at Leopards Hill Memorial Park with full military honors.[1] He was survived by his wife, Patricia, and seven children.
Legacy
Funjika’s legacy is viewed as mixed. He is remembered in military circles for his initiatives in housing and education within ZNS. However, his conviction for corruption overshadowed his contributions and placed him among prominent figures in Zambia’s anti-corruption campaign.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1 at line 4515: attempt to index field 'date_names' (a nil value).
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1 at line 4515: attempt to index field 'date_names' (a nil value).
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1 at line 4515: attempt to index field 'date_names' (a nil value).
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1 at line 4515: attempt to index field 'date_names' (a nil value).
