Ex-president's homes probed
2004-11-19 21:58
Lusaka - A Zambian court on Friday toured two luxury homes allegedly bought with stolen funds by former president Frederick Chiluba who is on trial for corruption in the southern African country.
Chiluba however remained in the courtroom while the prosecutors, magistrate and his lawyers inspected the two four-bedroom houses with guest wings and manicured gardens in Kabulonga and Kalundu, two upscale suburbs of Lusaka.
The former president allegedly purchased the homes with state funds and gave them to his lawyers as payment for defending him in private case while he was in office from 1991 to 2001.
Chiluba went on trial in December 2003 in one of Africa's most high-profile corruption cases but the proceedings have been bogged down in procedural problems and the case was dropped in September.
He was however re-arrested and went on trial again this week charged with stealing $488 000 in state funds.
Chiluba's co-accused in the case, businessmen Faustin Kabwe and Aaron Chungu, face twelve counts of theft involving about $800 000.
Chiluba's corruption trial is expected to continue next week.
- SAPA