Zambia axes anti-graft chief
2009-08-26 20:00
Lusaka - Zambia's top graft-buster has been fired, the government said on Wednesday, after he sought to appeal the acquittal of former president Frederick Chiluba in an embezzlement case.
The secretary to cabinet, Joshua Kanganja, said in a statement that the government had decided not to renew the contract of the Task Force on Corruption boss Max Nkole.
"Mr Godfrey Mayukwa of the Anti-Corruption Commission will with immediate effect serve as executive chairperson of the Task Force," Kanganja said.
Chiluba was cleared on August 17 of charges that he embezzled $500 000 during his 10 years in power, when the former trade unionist developed a taste for flashy suits and custom shoes.
Zambian prosecutors say they are still studying the decision to decide whether to appeal.
Notice of appeal
But Nkole last week requested the private prosecutors who had argued the case in court to appeal against the verdict, even though the public prosecutors had requested him to wait, according to legal documents obtained by AFP.
The private prosecutors from MNB Legal Practitioners on Tuesday filed a notice of appeal, court documents show. The firm had been hired by the government to spearhead the prosecution against Chiluba.
Chiluba, who ruled Zambia from 1991 to 2001, was acquitted on charges of stealing donor money meant for the poor, though his two co-accused were each convicted to three years in jail.
Chiluba has always insisted that the charges were political and backed by former colonial power Britain.
His wife Regina was sentenced earlier this year to three and a half years for receiving stolen property. She is appealing the sentence.