'Corrupt' Chiluba ruined Zambia

2005-09-27 21:50

Lusaka - Corruption during the 10-year rule of former Zambian president Frederick Chiluba has had a devastating effect on the southern African country, reports the country's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Tuesday.

Nelly Mutti of the ACC said the greatest theft in public office was recorded between 1991 and 2001, the period that saw the start of multiparty politics and harsh economic reform by the Chiluba government.

She said at the same time, the ACC, which was mandated by the parliament to operate autonomously, was almost completely stripped of its authority to prosecute.

With nearly 80% of the population living under the poverty level, Zambia remained one of the poorest countries in the world.

British govt to help Zambia

Chiluba and some former top officials in his government had been arrested and were facing various charges of corruption and theft of public funds.

The British government last week announced it would help Zambia prosecute Chiluba's corruption trial.

A British judge and prosecutors were scheduled to arrive in Zambia to collect evidence and hear from witnesses including Chiluba who had refused to appear before them.

The government last December sanctioned the London High Court in a bid to recover property Chiluba allegedly acquired with stolen public funds and to recover funds in British banks.

The corruption campaign of President Levy Mwanawasa, targeting the former Chiluba regime, had been described as selective by civil society and opposition parties, which accused the Mwanawasa of using his task force on corruption to settle political scores.

Corruption allegations had arisen against Mwanawasa himself, his wife Mauren, the government and his ruling party, Movement for Multiparty Democracy.

- SAPA