'I will not pardon Chiluba'
2008-03-31 15:27
Lusaka - Zambia's President Levy Mwanawasa said on Monday that he would not pardon his corruption-tainted predecessor despite numerous requests that had been made to him.
Mwanawasa said he would allow due process of the law to take its course in various cases involving former president Frederick Chiluba, 65, accused of stealing millions of dollars in state funds during his 10-year tenure.
"I have not seen or considered any reasons why I should exercise my discretion to forgive Chiluba," Mwanawasa said after he swore in a newly appointed deputy chief justice.
"I am not prepared to abdicate my responsibility and interfere with the rule of law."
He said a number of people had approached him to consider dropping the corruption cases against Chiluba, who had been battling with a deteriorating health after suffering a cardiac complication.
"Chiluba is a good friend of mine. If he is acquitted by the courts of law, we will all be glad," the president said.
Chiluba denies the allegations
Last year, Mwanawasa had indicated that he would pardon Chiluba and drop corruption charges against him if he returned 75% of the funds he allegedly stole from state coffers.
Chiluba was on trial for theft of more than $500 000, which he allegedly stole from the state when he was head of state between 1991 to 2001. He had denied the allegations.
Chiluba was last on Thursday interrogated over his role in the alleged theft of $7.8m during his tenure.
Chiluba was interrogated by an elite graft-busting unit over the theft of the money paid to a Canadian firm for the supply of maize that was never delivered under his rule, Max Nkole said.
Zambia contracted the Canadian firm, Carlington Sales Company, to supply maize worth $24m in 1997/98 period and made an advance payment of $7.8m but the grain was never delivered.
In a separate case, his wife, Regina, was also on trial for allegedly receiving funds and property believed to have been stolen by her husband when he was in office.
- AFP