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Chiluba off to SA for treatment
25/07/2008 10:44 - (SA)
Lusaka - Ex-Zambian president Frederick Chiluba, on trial for corruption, had been allowed to return to South Africa for medical treatment after the rise in his blood pressure, his spokesperson said on Friday.
Chiluba was expected to travel on Saturday to South Africa after a court trying him for stealing public funds granted him permission to leave the country after an urgent application from his lawyers.
Emmanuel Mwamba said: "He has been granted permission to travel and his passport has been released. His blood pressure has been rising and has remained unstable."
The court barred Chiluba from travelling as part of his bail conditions after the disappearance of two co-accused, including an ex-intelligence chief, who sneaked out of Zambia shortly after their arrest.
Chiluba facing several charges
Chiluba had earlier this year been in intensive care at a Johannesburg hospital for his ailment.
Chiluba, who ruled Zambia from 1991 to 2001, was suffering from an acute cardiac complication and kidney failure, which medical experts earlier this year described as life threatening.
The former president was facing several charges of corruption, abuse of authority and theft of public funds amounting to $500 000.
He had denied the accusations saying they were political.
A Zambian judge ordered on Tuesday Chiluba's wife, Regina, to stand trial in August for alleged corruption regarding funds and property she received during her husband's rule.
Regina, who married Chiluba after he left office, was 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.
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