Chiluba's wife to stand trial

2008-07-22 17:40

Lusaka - A Zambian judge ordered the wife of former president Frederick Chiluba to stand trial in August for alleged corruption regarding funds and property she received during his rule.

"I find the accused with a case to answer on all the six counts," Kafunda said in his ruling on Regina Chiluba in the capital Lusaka.

Chiluba, through her lawyers, said she would call about six witnesses to rebut the evidence brought against her at the August 25 trial.

Regina, who married Chiluba after he left office, is alleged to have received funds and property belonging to the government while she was a mistress of the president, who later divorced to marry her.

She has consistently denied the accusations saying she was being politically persecuted for marrying Chiluba, who is also on trial for theft of public funds.

Chiluba ruled Zambia from 1991 until 2001 when he retired from politics, after which his hand-picked successor Levy Mwanawasa turned against him, accusing his mentor of widespread corruption.

- AFP