The prosecution stage in a corruption trial of former president Frederick Chiluba finally ended on Friday after three years of delay due to legal technicalities and his illness.
Once the prosecution had finished, magistrate Jones Chinyama set February 14 next year as the date for a ruling on whether Chiluba has a case to answer on the basis of the evidence adduced against him by the state.
State prosecutor Mutembo Nchito closed the case against Chiluba after the last witness gave evidence against him and his two co-defendants who are jointly charged with theft of about 500,000 dollars (366,540 euros) in state funds.
“We have closed our case as the prosecution,” Nchito told the magistrate at the end of the stage in which 35 witnesses gave evidence against the former head of state.
The trial began in September 2004 but was delayed by legal technicalities and by Chiluba’s deteriorating heart problem, which led to his admission recently in a South African clinic for several weeks.
His lawyers have been given up to November to submit final written defence while the state prosecutors should file their response by January next year on why they feel the ex-leader should be convicted.
Chiluba, 65, who ruled Zambia for 10 years until 2001 when he retired, was arrested and charged with abuse of office and corruption, but he denied the charges saying they were politically-motivated.
Why February?
same question as 1.?????
konse uko ku February mwebana ba kwa Lesa. Vyakulola vye….
Same old stories…we have always said this is just a waste of time and money!
Cry my beloved coutry. No hope insight!!!!!!
Why can’t this matter be expedited???.Why ???.
Why shoul it take forever to conclude this case?
The major key in this case is that Zamtrop had US$8.5 Million of private monies belonging to FTJ. So US$488K is a drop in the ocean but we shall leave those decisions to the court of law here in Zambia.
There is also a case before the High Court of FTJ fighting the registration of the London Judgement. That case has had 3 adjournments so far and it is clear that the defense has put up an intelligent discussion. The rest again is upto to the courts of law.
Brothers and Sisters, let us focus on benefiting from the mining activities in our beloved country. Let us focus on getting a people driven constitution and let us also focus on maintining the peace and harmony that our collective country enjoys.
Let us debate further the ‘sudden’ introduction of biometric passports by our politicians. In my opinion, it is too much of a radical step to go unchecked.
If these same politicians can not understand the contents of the constitution, how in the world are the going to know about biometric technology?
The case of our former head of state is almost certainly not going anywhere.
This case has gone on for too long but the inconvinient truth is that there`s a high possiblity that FTJ might just walk free.The major issue being the $8.5 million private funds in the Zamtrop account belonging to FTJ.The problem is that in a criminal case the burden of proof is too high and should be beyond any reasonable doubt.So instead of hyping ourselves on whether FTJ will be locked up or not,we need to do what #8 AFRICAN suggested and also being PROACTIVE instead of being REACTIVE with regards custody of public funds.We`ve got to create a transparent system where any kind of public theft can be minimised or better still avoided.Gov investigative wings such as the ACC and DEC must be strengthened so that they can pounce on anyone irrespective of their standing in society if they`re involved in any illegal activities.It just basically comes down to seperation of powers namely,Executive,Judiciary and Legislature.
Sikatana is fit and sound so what does that leave us with our beloved Levy Sc? See today’s Post.
keeping money in a govt account is abuse, bane
#10.PELETE.It`s absolutely comical.
#11 HEY.Was FTJ charged with abusing his office by keeping his money in the gov account or theft of public funds?
Chapi,if you considered that keeping his money in ZAMTROP is wrong, then his personal use of the acc would be too.
He is claiming to have made the lesser error of getting his money in there to escape from the fact that he abused it.
Of course if his deposits are factitious or the timming is warped he will be locked. Leave it to the court for now, but bear in mind that laundering is about complicating transactions to make them appear clean.
#14 HEY.If you followed the OJ Simpson trial,you`d remember the famous phrase of “if it doesn`t fit then you must acquit”.Though there was overwhelming evidence to point to OJ being guilty but the defense team just poked in some element of doubt and that was enough to make OJ walk free.That`s what Sangwa is trying to do by just inserting some element of doubt.I personally have problems with FTJ`s tenure which was clouded with alot of allegedly gross misappropriation of public funds.I need to put my personal feelings aside when it comes to dealing with the law because that takes the upper hand.
This case is not about money laundering or keeping personal money in govt accounts. It’s about theft of public funds. And if the state can’t prove that, FTJ walks. Yes others cases like money laundering can follow, but that would be very complicated..as a head of state he could claim all sorts of leeways to duct that case.
As I have said in the past this case should have been scraped and tax payers money saved and spent on putting a system in place that would allow this situation to never ever happen again in Zambia. DO we have a system to know if LPM is not stealing as well? All his lies about Sikatana. And resistance for an open way to adopt a new constitution. I doubt LPM is clean and the sad part is we don’t have a system in place to keep these guys on the narrow and straight path.
I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that Nchito bought LPM an expensive farm as a gift for blah blah..all that nonsense in future.
I agree with you, there is a good chance he may go free, but like the OJ case, whatever the judgment, public opinion will remain set: he stole. Its common knowledge that you cant waste personal money on a thousand suits, it has to be stolen money.
If we don’t get leaders accountable for their actions, we will never develop. In the US, Craig might resign his senate position today because of failing to account for what he did in the toilet, thats the standard we need in z.
Chiluba can steal, and people want to defend him on tribal grounds, that sad…..at least to well meaning people.
if it was as simple as #16 put it, all the prosecutors needed was just one witness to say, Yes. And the case would have concluded a long time ago…
#17 HEY.I totally agree with you that we need to raise very high standards for people serving in public office.Alberto Gonzales (US ATTORNEY GENERAL) resigned because of incompentence charges levelled against while Larry Craig SENATOR from IDAHO is set to resign for inappropriate behaviour he admitted to have done.Yet we still see Kunda,Malila,Mulyata,Mabenge,Katele and the rest of the team still clinging on to their positions despite serious allegations levelled against them.My point is that we mustn`t give a pass to anyone to abuse any public office.Our high standards should be set for everyone irrespective of their political affiliation.
correct!
I can declare that this FTJ case is clearly a ” NO case to answer” if the judge has not been promised a luxury life style by powers that be. Take look at the London Judgement and the excitement that followed from the likes of Kayata and HEY. The technicality raised by Simeza, Sangwa, Edgar Changwa Lungu and Bonaventure Mutale(SC) have clearly shown that Mr Malila Mumba and his masters have been outwitted in every sense.
Again the Judge must not fear or shy away from pronouncing that the London Judgement cannot be entered unless those issues sorted out.
LET THE MAN GO!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Chiluba case has been closed. What remains are counter submissions and a landmark verdict. It could go either way as it remains a preserve of the presiding Judge’s interpretation of evidence and legal technicalities. Henceforth, I cannot see the logic of expending our energy here if bloggers are true futuristic nationalists seeing prevalent National issues.
The US Africom militarization push on our soil is more pressing an issue to debate than the closed up case. Our sustainable peace and instability are directly determined by the collective stand we will make. The USA has never been a peace maker or national builder throughout history and its push for the Africom is dubious, risky and an infringement to our self rule.
They are in Iraq, Afghanistan, Djibouti, and Kosovo, Somalia. Are these countries in anyway at peace or better than us???? They were in Angola for over 27 years; was there any peace or better things for the people? They have been pushing for the autonomy of the oil rich Cabinda from Angola, is their any peace rather than scholarships to a few individual being used to ferment rebellion?
Will our ever vocal NGOs and politicians have a clear perspective of this Africom push and speak their usual rhetoric? It is a Golden opportunity to identify visionaries with true love for our Country.
You Diasporans saying you are big ATMs where you are in your own ways, here are some business opportunities. Zambians want to see investment in the communication sector. Your failure is an automatic opportunity for foreign business houses to fill in. Make partnerships, do the feasibility studies and take up the challenge.
STATE ADVERTISES SIX RAILWAY PROJECTS
By NANCY MWAPE
GOVERNMENT has advertised six new railway lines for development with a view of private sector participating in the actual construction.
Transport and Communications permanent secretary, Brigadier general Peter Tembo, said Government intended to involve the private sector in construction of the railway lines through Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) or public private partnership (PPP).
Railways identified for development included Chipata-Mpika, Nseluka-Mpulungu, Solwezi-Chingola, Solwezi-Lumwana-Bengwela, Mulobezi-Namibia and Kafue-Lions Den.
In an interview, General Tembo said Government was exploring ways of establishing a railway connection to the west-coast on Benguela in Angola and the private sector had shown interest to construct a railway line from Chingola to Lumwana through Solwezi.
He said through this Government intended to extend it the Benguela railway line across the Zambia-Angola border.
He noted that Government had received good response from firms for the Solwezi-Lumwana-Bengwela Railway line and Chipata-Mpika that would connect to Tazara.
He added that the two lines would avail Zambians the shortest access to the eastern coasts of Nacala and Dar-es-Salaam port.
He said the remaining four, the ministry was still waiting for feasibility study to be carried out by the private sector.
“We are looking for people that can build these railways, as a ministry we are looking at the possibility of BOT or PPP,’’ he said.
General Tembo said all the identified rail-lines were viable and exciting, he cited Chipata-Mpika that would be linking travellers to Mpulungu port and connect them to the great lakes region and Tanzania.
He said Government hoped that through Chipata-Mpika rail-line, it would enhance access to Nacala deep sea port in Mozambique.
He said the Nseluka-Mpulungu railway line will reduce transport costs and provide alternative modes of transport to the Great Lakes region thereby increasing trade with that region.
Government intends through private sector partnership to construct a railway connection on the port of Mpulungu and Tazara at Nseluka.
He added that the development of the Mulobezi to Namibia would open up access to the Walvis Bay.
He said the estimated cost for all the railway lines could only be known once the feasibility studies for the lines were completed.
How about Kabwe-Mumbwa- Namwala-Itezi Tezi-Shesheke- Mulobezi. We need one from Nakonde-Kasama-Kwambwa-Mansa-Chiyengi-Mwinilunga-Solwezi. Kalabo and Mongu should be linked up linked up to Mumbwa. When we are talking of global warming these are projects we need to undertake to reduce emissions. Did anyone read Prof. Chirwas interview? The man is vocal and wise and respectable. If was to be president of Zambia tomorrow I will first take a serious step in infrastractures like rails because these are pillars of nation economy we have copper and steal all we need is technology which today can be obtained easy. Rails alone could employ number of pipo amounting those in civil services. This could boost our mining industry with a local consumption. Can you tell me which Zambian doesnt need things like Fridge, pressing iron, stoves, warm bathing water especially in the cold season, a Radio and computer using electricity, many other electrical appliances.
#16 chanda phiri, asked if LPM is clean. only time will tell
Ba Chapi,
You spend most of your precious time here commenting on every party and national issue politically significant or immaterial. But why the sudden polarization on a very pressing issue of the US Africom military bases on our soil? This issue separates men from turncoats.Where do you stand sir?
I repeat # 22
The Chiluba case has been closed. What remains are counter submissions and a landmark verdict. It could go either way as it remains a preserve of the presiding Judge’s interpretation of evidence and legal technicalities. Henceforth, I cannot see the logic of expending our energy here if bloggers are true futuristic nationalists seeing prevalent National issues.
The US Africom militarization push on our soil is more pressing an issue to debate than the closed up case. Our sustainable peace and instability are directly determined by the collective stand we will make. The USA has never been a peace maker or national builder throughout history and its push for the Africom is dubious, risky and an infringement to our self rule.
They are in Iraq, Afghanistan, Djibouti, and Kosovo, Somalia. Are these countries in anyway at peace or better than us???? They were in Angola for over 27 years; was there any peace or better things for the people? They have been pushing for the autonomy of the oil rich Cabinda from Angola, is their any peace rather than scholarships to a few individual being used to ferment rebellion?
Will our ever vocal NGOs and politicians have a clear perspective of this Africom push and speak their usual rhetoric? It is a Golden opportunity to identify visionaries with true love for our Country.
FACT! What is this Africom you’re talking about? Could you shed more light. I personally I’m very allergic to Americano. Those guys don’t even have a grip to the spare key to WORLD PEACE.
Easy! Good ideas. But don’t forget that we also got one that was built by Rhodes. We gave it crooks to run it for 25 years. You can imagine this is the 3rd year, it’s not fully functional.
#27 GLUCO, You know very well if you dont sweat for sth you cant care for it. SRZ is run like that because no one cares. These contracts should be reviewed and see whether they meet the demands are meant for. If nothing is happening then Zambians have the right to withdraw the contracts and give to some viable pipo who can bring progress.
Easy! Initially ZR was supposed to be concessioned to well meaning Canadians. Now I don’t know how this crooked billionaire Israeli managed to dribble through. Maybe he used his billions. These are some of the things that should be tackled by the next govt. How many persons benefit such deals as compared to genuine investors?
#29 GLUCO, This is sad there is need to redress this remember money is not everything we have living examples of pipo having money but they endup living a very miserable life during the last days. If the will of the pipo is there nothing can stop them to make a revolution. I hope everyday Zambians are getting wiser and learning from previous mistakes. What is need is extend the judicial arm to the rich so that when they committe an offence they can be punished as well like the same way a poor person undergoes. So if we can have transparency then we will trace how this deal was signed. The problem is with our institutions like the tender board who have not taken development serious. This I dont care attitude is not helping the nation. Even the those who are in authority they should learn to carry out their duties effectively and efficiently until the last day. This inbalance and lack of control will kill us one day life changes.
Easy #30! That’s bravery. You’re brave. Not all is lost about Zed. Zed is a great and nation. One day it shall move. LPM did his best.
#31 GLUCO, I conquer with you we have to be strong and take challenges like Martin Luther King who had a dream. Today those ho are living in USA are witness of this dream. I for one I dont just dream but put things in practices as well.I know what I want in family and I know my rights. To be knowledgable is helpful because you cannot be cheated easily. We must continue the revolution this man started to clean up Zambia. The country is wealthy and it can do better look at Zimbabwe most the towns have european studies financed from copper and other minerals fron Northern Rhodesia during the colonial rule. Empowerment of citizen is the key to our problems. Look countries like Libya more than half of the nation is a desert yet it can feed itself.
The facts are that Chiluba stole. Guilty or not guilty according to law or judgement. He will always be guilty in his conscience if at all he has one. For me he remains the curse of our nation upon which Zambia can reference as the worst *****ic president. We should be united in fight against having such an ***** again as our president.
Zambia is more important to me that worry about such *****s whether they are acquited. The efforts themslevesto bring them to book is good enough. IF/when chiluba is convicted I will celebrate!
Much ado about nothing.
If we were always sure that FTJ is guilty, why did we spend a Gazillion of our own tax Kwacha on taking him to court instead of concentrating on cementing checks and balances in our leadership? I agree with a few other earlier posts – we have much more pressing issues at hand we could concentrate on that could ensure our infant democracy becomes better.
24 Easy, that has always been my prayer: roads, roads and roads. If we are to be a country that has to catch up with the rest of the world, good road network is the key. Zambia that had one of the strongest economies on the continent in the 1970s never took advantage of that by tarring intercity and inter provincial roads with such roads like the Ndola-Kitwe dual carriage way when we could afford. The current so-called boom period of the economy should not be missed as we will have ourselves to blame. Let us consult many Zambians that are willing to help including such names as Prof. Chirwa that are willing to offer technical know-how.
WHAT ARE FREE MARKETS
To the neoliberal, a free market is a market where
– corporations keep all their earnings
– corporations pay no taxes
– corporations obey no labour or environmental laws
– corporations do not share their profits with anyone
– corporations can send their profits to any corner of the world
– corporations are not subject to import restrictions or tariffs
– corporations can finagle any money from anyone, including the state (through massive corporate welfare handouts like agricultural subsidies) they can without offending the basic philosophy of neoliberalism – everyone for themselves, or as they used to say in Chicago – ubi est mea – where’s mine?
In other words, for the neoliberal, the corporation is supreme. It is the highest form of company, and if they are a kingdom upon themselves, well that only goes to show how successful they are.
#35 CK, I tell you there are 6 factors of productions which can never be overlooked. Education, Telecommuinication and Transportation, Technology, Human Capital, and Land. Once a country can recognise these facts you a postive change. Roads are viable KK had all these ideas but he lacked support. If you have listened to the SADC programme before the summit or if you know the reasons why the frontline states was formed which later was transformed in SADCC then you will know what this old man for plans had for this country if those working with him supported him instead of letting down. CK one hand can not pick a lice you see pipo anything that was coming from Kaunda was not seen as positive but as something which was there to cement his rule. See now we are going back in the same routes the old man had long time already. Most of the projects have been there since independence. Iam not trying to praise KK but what is reality is reality. The other problems was liberation struggle for nieg
bor countries. Peace is a key factor of development. I too support LPMs refuse to set military base in Zambia. The armies are know for being war failures just look at Korea there are since 1950 the two countries have never enjoyed peace. Yet japan who even lost the war have enjoyed peace and development. Zambia doesnt need any military presence we are at peace. Vietanem is the same, Look at Sierra Leone there is no peace even elections cannot be conducted peaceful.Africa doesnt need war but development. We dont have terrorism and we dont need it.
Here is another M15 PS
An international report has revealed how a corrupt network in the Moi regime looted at least Sh130 billion of Kenyan taxpayers’ money.The report by risk advisers Kroll and Associates had been kept secret by the Kibaki administration for the past four years. Now the list of relatives and associates of the former President and their vast local and overseas investments has been exposed in a 110-page account published on the Internet.It shows how people close to Mr Moi set up shell companies, fronts and secret trusts to siphon away Kenyan taxpayers’ money, which they stashed in banks, real estate and companies in an estimated 30 countries around the world.Their assets overseas include multi-million pound properties in London, New York and South Africa, as well as a 10,000-hectare ranch in Australia and bank accounts containing hundreds of millions of pounds.
Read on the next
The report was compiled by the London-based company on the instruction of the Kibaki government in 2004, but has been kept under wraps and has apparently not been acted upon. It details how:
Mr Moi’s sons Philip and Gideon were reported to be worth £384 million and £550 million respectively;
Some of President Moi’s associates colluded with Italian drug barons and printed counterfeit money;
A clique around him owned a bank in Belgium;
The threat of losing their wealth prompted threats of violence between Mr Moi’s relatives and his political aides
A total of £4 million was used to buy a home in Surrey and £2 million to buy a flat in Knightsbridge.
Should the facts revealed by Kroll be confirmed to be true, then the Sh130 billion could be similar in magnitude to those perpetrated by other discredited governments in Africa, including those of Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire and Nigeria’s Sani Abacha.
PS for J& CA Ms Angote asked why developed nations allowed money stolen from the Third World to be stashed in their banks and later blamed looters in the impoverished states.
“We are pushing for an agenda where the Group of Seven industrialised nations can announce that nobody will be allowed to bank suspicious money in their countries”, the PS added.
Among the assets accumulated by the Moi associates includes multi-million pound properties in the 30 world capitals like London, New York and South Africa.
Others include bank accounts spread all over Europe, America and Africa containing billions of shillings.
The report details corruption deals from the early 1980s to the day Mr Moi vacated State House on December 30, 2002.
It links up major scandals including Goldenberg, the Turkwel Gorge and the collapse of the Trade Bank.
The report gives the wealth of the retired president’s sons – Philip and Gideon – as Sh5 billion and Sh3.6 billion respectively
Besides the money stashed away in foreign accounts in Europe, America and South Africa, the report states that some of the money moved from Kenya was used to acquire a home in Surrey worth £4 million (Sh520 million) and a flat in Knightsbridge worth £2 million (Sh360 million).
A clique around Moi is also said to own a bank in Belgium which has a branch in Nairobi.
A Kenyan bank, Transnational, is accused of having been involved in questionable transfers of money to the tune of Sh13 billion ($200 million).
The man behind the transaction is believed to be one of the biggest money launderers in Geneva.
Shame for Africa! When are we going to learn to be proud of what we are.
#26 FACT.In response to your question as to where I stand on the US AFRICOM.I think LPM is 100% correct that we don`t need the US interfering with our peace and stability by setting up such a base on our soil.These are NON DEBATABLE issues and can be classified in the same category as trying to push legalising things like abortion,prostitution or same sex marriage in our country that is so conservative.These are what we refer to as NON STARTERS.Arguably,the root cause of terrorism are these bases the US has setup in places like Saudi Arabia and the rest of those countries you mentioned.On this issue we`d say to the USA the affirmative that thankyou but NO THANKS.
This is plain stupidity, why should this quack magistrate delay the case till Feb., 2008? Some of the things happening on the bench in Zambia can make one cry. I can now understand why parliament want to make these fools on the bench accountable for their actions.
Forget it!! February is just too far, why then not forget about it? This is another Nolle Prosequi! Chuchu wacabe, he will pretend as though things are being done in the right way. VIVA Frederick Jacob Titus Kafupi Mpundu Chiluba.
#33 your open hate for Chiluba will eat you alive. You have to be rational and don’t let your emotions cloud your reasoning. Thats why we have to courts of law to decide the issue at hand. People like you are dangerious to the development of any nation. You judge your friends as if you yourself are an angel. Take control of yourself brother.
I share the same thots with # 33.I dont hate Chiluba per se i hate what he dd to Zambia.
All these cases have done is highlight the possible incompetence of our prosecution service and the obvious weakness in controls over abuses of public office bearers.This is the only positive we can honestly take from the circus we have been subjected to.Conviction of FTJ and his cohorts will please many and may be a token victory to be referred to during the next general election.FTJ will not last 6 months in prison and incarceration for him is the same as condemning him to an early grave.Is this what we want or do we want the monies recovered and precedence set for any future leaders ??
Zambia is known of nolle procu.. at any stage in any case. I am sure that is what they will submit just before judgement.
Watch the space!!!
Leave Regina alone.Regina continue looking after FTJ,he is a great man.Tapali ekofileya ifima cases ifi already fili stale.Ka QC Smith uletipo shani? At your level you should have known ati a civil case cannot precede a criminal case nomba fyonse ifi cushi cekaceka
#26 FACT.What`s your take on the REGINA SAGA?
Ba Chapi,
I would be acting in bad faith and highly unethical to comment on that case because I’m scheduled to testify in the next proceedings. Hope you will respect my stand.
Thank you Bwana LT Chairman.
Regina is being flattered by internet based demagogues when the truth is there. She will never win any battle of the people she with her husband abused with impunity. She may be trolling this PF blog to gain fake courage against her impunity; the truth remains she will be a defeated casualty and these cowardly demagogues here will like always mutate or go mute.
Making a deal with Government is her only option. Chiluba should know better that any battle of arrogant crooks against a People mandated GRZ execution, the people’s Government wins. She may have succeeded her adultery games against Mr Mwanza, but a win against Zambians is her nightmare in the waiting.
COPS LOCK UP CHILUBA, REGINA
Police yesterday briefly locked up former president Frederick Chiluba and his wife Regina in a cell at Lusaka’s Woodlands Police Station before charging her with being in possession of property believed to have been stolen.
#54 VETERAN.Welcome back to the NO SPIN ZONE here at the altar of reason and I only hope this time you won`t chicken out.
Cops lock up Chiluba, Regina
By Brighton Phiri and Bivan Saluseki
Tuesday September 04, 2007
Print Article Email Article
Regina Chiluba with her lawyer Robert Simeza at Woodlands Police Station yesterday – Pictures by Eddie Mwanaleza
Police yesterday briefly locked up former president Frederick Chiluba and his wife Regina in a cell at Lusaka ‘s Woodlands Police Station before charging her with being in possession of property believed to have been stolen.
And Chiluba revealed that he had documentary evidence to show who the true thieves are.
Meanwhile, Regina showered Task Force officers with abusive language when they asked her to accompany them to Woodlands Police Station.
The Task Force officers, accompanied by eight armed paramilitary officers, went to Chiluba’s Kabulonga residence in Lusaka around 11:15 hours and requested Regina to accompany them to Woodlands Police Station. This was after Regina refused to avail herself for re-arrest following a Task Force call-out last Thursday.
Regina was recently discharged via a nolle prosequi on the same charges as she was arrested yesterday.
Task Force officers were met by Chiluba’s special assistant for presss Emmanuel Mwamba, who advised them that Regina would only be available around 14:00 hours because she had to prepare and inform her lawyer Robert Simeza. But the officers refused and insisted on Regina accompanying them to the police station.
“We expected her to report at our offices at 10:00 hours and this is after 11:00 hours,” said one of the officers.
After consultations, Mwamba later allowed five plainclothes officers inside Chiluba’s residence. Around 12:00 hours, Simeza arrived and went in to discuss with the Task Force officers.
According to Mwamba, Simeza advised the Chilubas to proceed with the Task Force’s plans to arrest Regina and that he would seek other means of addressing her concerns on the matter.
Mwamba explained that the Chilubas’ concern was that the Task Force had taken the case as licence to abuse and take away their rights without recourse to the law.
Around 12:30 hours, the Task Force officers came out of the house while Regina followed them behind, showering them with abusive language.
“You tell Max Nkole (Task Force chairman) that he must tell me what so sort of jail sentence he wants me to serve. I am not scared of jail sentence, I was born in Lubuto a compound in Ndola, I can’t fear Mwanawasa’s jail. Bushe elyo naupilwe kuli ba Chiluba, lisambi? M******mwe! (You dogs, is it a sin for me to have married Chiluba? Am I the only one who got married to Chiluba and has property?” Regina yelled at the Task Force officers as Chiluba chimed in: “Times change, time will change, do not take things for granted.”
At Woodlands Police Station, Chiluba and Regina were taken to the Criminal Investigations Officer (CIO)’s room where a warn and caution statement was recorded from Regina before she was formally arrested. The arresting officer then led Regina to the reception where her particulars were recorded in the Daily Occurrence Book.
The officer then told Regina that she would be ushered into a police cell while her lawyers negotiated for her police bond. The officer told Regina that she had to be detained in the cell because both the officer-in-charge and his deputy who should have authorised her police bond were out of the station.
It was at this stage that Chiluba openly protested and opted to join his wife in the cell. Regina was ushered into the cell at 13:25 hours. Chiluba followed her and the uncompromising police officer locked them up amid protests from Mwamba and Simeza.
“You cannot separate us,” said Chiluba as he joined Regina in the cell.
In a seemingly solidarity gesture, Kasama Central Patriotic Front member of parliament Xavier Chishimba joined Chiluba and Regina in the cell.
Police officers told Chiluba and Chishimba that they were in the cell illegally, and that if they did not get out, they would be charged with conduct likely to cause a breach of peace so they could legally remain in the cell. However, Chiluba and Chishamba were not moved by this threat.
After 15 minutes behind bars, Chiluba and Regina were released and escorted to the CIO’s office where Regina was granted a K300 million police bond with two sureties. Mwamba and Chishimba signed as Regina ‘s sureties.
Earlier, Chiluba protested when the police attempted to block journalists from taking pictures.
“Please forgive me, allow them to have a field day…this is good documentary,” said Chiluba before the police forced journalists out of the reception area.
“Times change, times have always changed…we have seen these things… kumulu lesa, panshi ni uyo wine…aliya. ..nabobene baleya nombaline [In heaven it’s God, and on earth it is that one who is now gone… the one who is there will soon go too,” said Chiluba in an apparent reference to Dr Kenneth Kaunda and President Levy Mwanawasa.
Chiluba later followed journalists outside where he briefly addressed them.
“These are very bad politics…you cannot continue to abuse the court process the way they are doing. This case had come to an end, this must come to an end,” Chiluba said.
He said he was shocked with the government’s shameless lies that he only travelled 11 times between 1991 and 2001 when he served as Republican president.
“As president of Zambia , I only travelled 11 times, therefore I had no allowances because I had only travelled 11 times? As chairman of the Congo peace process, Angola peace process, chairman of SADC, COMESA and AU, I travelled 11 times? Crazy! Crazy! And all of you including the police have television sets because we liberalised the economy.
Since 1991 when we liberalised the economy, everyone has managed to buy a television set. So the president can fail to buy a television set? Crazy!” Chiluba said. “This country will be very easy to tell the truth…to distinguish between the truth and lies because we have not been moving as blind men, we have documentary evidence to show the truth.
As former head of state, I know how to investigate these things. I have enough documentary evidence to show who the true thieves are. They have travelled all over in England to look for money and they found none. The FBI was involved and they went round and found nothing.”
But Task Force chairman Nkole reminded Regina that there was rampant abuse of the judicial process during Chiluba’s time. Nkole said there was no abuse of the court process this time.
“Perhaps the person saying that should be reminded that abuse of the judicial process was more rampant then,” he said.
Nkole said during Chiluba’s time, people were being detained for motor vehicle thefts indefinitely and without trial.
On Sunday, Regina said although she was summoned to appear before the Task Force for possible re-arrest, it was difficult for her to co-operate with the Task Force on the current matter as they were clearly abusing the constitutional powers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) owing to the manner in which her case was withdrawn before court through a nolle prosequi.
But Nkole said there was no abuse on their part because the DPP exercised discretion of his office.
He said the Task Force could not force or coerce the DPP to enter a nolle prosequi. Nkole said Regina had been issued with a call-out and was supposed to have reported at 10:00 hours.
He said after she failed to appear, officers were dispatched to pick her up.
Regina has such a foul mouth !!Poor FTJ, if that is what he has looking after him….he is in trouble !!Imagine her as first lady ?? Where do we men find these women ??
Gentlemen,
The way you marry, who you marry and family values of the partner have a serious bearing in long term perspective.Chiluba’s lust has put him in that quagmire of shame and hopelessness. As sick as he has been, his insecurity for the loose woman could not restrain him from accompanying the loose woman in cells. Poor Chiluba doesn’t trust his wife on promiscuity to the extent of believing that other detainees and police officers could easily be making turns on Regina in cells.
The background of a partner matters so much. Material based marriages are are always like that. There has never been love between Chiluba and Regina but infatuation.Poor Chiluba your end has been very sad.
Imagine what FTJ goes through each night when he puts his head down to sleep?? what a fall from grace…from being numero uno to being treated like a common thief..being pushed around by semi literate police officers!!At his age and given his accomplishments he must surely regret the day he heard of MMD.Better to be an average retiree watching grandchildren grow than spend your time fighting off harrassment and being the subject of national and international ridicule !! Some jobs gentlemen/women, are not worth it!! ( 10 years of pomp,splendour,power and admiration…then a lifetime of insult and ridicule??)
#59 TOP That is a life of a Bus conductor you know bad habits die hard. You leap what you sow, the man is lucky in other countries he would long jailed and even hanged for killing others. However Zambians have forgiven him of these atrocities if he was wise he would just said the truth and the respect a grandfather deserves would have come back.
#57 TOP Where do we men find these women. From Mr Mwanza. Have you ever heard this man talk about his marriage? It must have been terrible for him I believe he is a happy man today.
leave Chiluba and Regina alone, is it a sin to own a television set.Chabashani kanshi iwe chuchu nachi maxwell nkole wemwana wambwa
# 59,
You have truth and wisdom there as your breast plate. Leadership is very expensive. It’s like when Heads of states and Governors sign commutation letters for criminals and murderers to hang and go six feet down. Noble leadership calls for a strong heart for justice to prevail.
Chiluba has been not only a thief, but a soulless murderer no different from the era of General Pinochet who pushed thousands of his people into the Graveyard and exile. It’s only now under Levy that not even flies die nor exile.
All I can say on Chiluba is that may the spirit of Dean Mung’omba, Edward Shamwana, Wezi Kaunda, Hanson Kamima, Richard Ngenda, Pumulo, Paul Tembo, Ronald Siame Penza, Curtbert Ng’uni and Ngoma invigorate the call for justice unto all the soulless and amoral myopic tribalists barking in cyberspace for criminals.
The Good thing is that the police is a service and not a force as it were. Addition to that, the Zambia today has a professional Police service of wise professionals, experienced, and highly educated selfless Zambians like never before. This is different from the Chiluba’s Musole days used in killing Zambians and cooked Black mamba/ Zero option treasons until they killed Mung’omba and broke Nakatindi’ spine code.
#62 You have started again this behaviour we discourage in this blog. If you are new on this blog just debate and dont insult anyone. Its is easy to fish you out my bro. We are tolerant but dont take us for grant. Debate here not insults.
#64 EASY i think you have over stepped your boundaries. Back off. You not the police of this blog.#62 can call Nkole chin Nkole or what ever he deams fit. An for the record its none of your business what people debate on this blog. If you dont like the language or Chi Nkole is your uncle just dont contribute. Who are you to be telling people what to debate or how to communicate. You think people are happy to see Chi Nkole wasting money on prosecuting exactly the same case same chrages twice? This is not KK era where you used to shut people up. FTJ alitulubula. We are a free people we can call anyone anything we want.
Very timely press releases
CHILUBA SHOULDN’T USE REGINA’S CASE TO ATTRACT SYMPATHY – EMILY SIKAZWE
KEEP YOUR GUNS AWAY, KK TELLS US
DR Kenneth Kaunda has told the United States to keep its military guns away from Africa And Dr Kaunda has asked Zambians to reflect on the need to serve God’s purpose. Commenting on President Mwanawasa’s declaration that his government would not give the United States of America …
SAGE 65
Easy is right we need decency here. Its you in the habit of mutating to shower insults here and turn around under your SAGE name disparaging wise people.
CHILUBA SHOULDN’T USE REGINA’S CASE TO ATTRACT SYMPATHY – EMILY
By Brighton Phiri: Tuesday September 04, 2007
CHILUBA should not use his wife’s case to attract public’s sympathy, Women for Change executive director Emily Sikazwe said yesterday.
And Transparent International Zambia (TIZ) president Reuben Lifuka said Regina’s case
should serve as a lesson for the Task Force that they should be thorough when dealing with corruption cases and suspects.
Commenting on former president Frederick Chiluba’s action at Lusaka’s Woodlands Police Station where he threw himself into a cell to join his wife Regina who was detained there, Sikazwe said it was wrong for Chiluba to tempt the police to arrest him for illegally detaining himself in a police cell in a bid to attract public sympathy.
“Chiluba must wait for his turn as our courts of law are still dealing with his case.
I expect Chiluba as former head of state, to know that it is illegal and wrong for him to throw himself in a police cell without being arrested. Chiluba should not tempt our police to arrest him by throwing himself into the cell in his quest to attract public sympathy. He is lucky because the police treated him like that considering that he is a former head of state,†Sikazwe said. “But Chiluba must be reminded that during his tenure of office, he used the police as instruments of terror…our memories are still very fresh on how the police tortured the late Dean Mung’omba. I, too, suffered at the hands of the police on Chiluba’s orders.â€
Sikazwe commended the police for acting differently from the way they acted during Chiluba’s era when Dr Kenneth Kaunda was arrested and thrown into police cells without any sympathy.
“During Chiluba’s era it was unheard of for the police to plead with anyone, including Dr Kaunda, to get out of the police cell. Instead they were brutal under Chiluba’s orders. Ask Dr Kaunda, Fred M’membe, Dr Rodger Chongwe, Post Newspaper journalists, among others, they have something to share,†Sikazwe said. “We all know that under our laws, Chiluba is innocent until proved guilty, but as people of Zambia we have pronounced him guilty for crimes he committed against us. Many of our people who could have joined us in pronouncing Chiluba guilty are dead and buried because of his actions.â€
She commended the civil society for sensitising the police on the need to uphold and respect human rights.
And Lifuka said TIZ was disappointed with the incident at Woodlands Police Station because both the Chiluba family and Task Force could have acted differently.
“We believe that the Task Force could have handled the matter differently and Mr Chiluba and his wife Regina could have behaved in the manner befitting their status,†Lifuka said. “Mr Chiluba and Regina may have some problems with the state entering nolle but that does not mean they should subvert the law.â€
Lufuka said the drama surrounding Regina’s case should serve as a lesson for the Task Force to ensure that their actions did not raise any questions when dealing with corruption cases.
“The Task Force must be professional at all times to ensure that their actions do not raise any questions,†said Lifuka.
WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?
By Editor: Tuesday September 04, 2007
No one should think they are above the law, which should, after all, be seen to be the creation of the people, and not something imposed on them.
And this includes our former president, Frederick Chiluba and his wife Regina. All citizens should submit to the law because, however indirectly, they are submitting to themselves as the makers of the law.
As we stated yesterday, there was nothing illegal in the decision by the police to re-arrest Regina. This might have been unfair on her but the police’s action was within the law – the law which her husband, Chiluba, used and left.
Chiluba’s actions amounted to obstructing justice. By throwing himself into a police cell where Regina was being detained, Chiluba was interfering with, and obstructing the work of, the police. According to section 250 (b) of the Penal Code, any person who wilfully obstructs any police officer in the due execution of his duty is guilty of a misdemeanour and is liable to imprisonment for five years.
We appreciate that Chiluba loves his wife, and he has the right to do so, but he is not the first person to have his wife arrested and detained. When Chiluba was president, he ordered the detention of Sikota Wina’s wife, Princess Nakatindi, at Kabwe’s Mukobeko Maximum Prison. There was no provision for Sikota to accompany his wife. And who in this country doesn’t know how close Sikota and Princess Nakatindi are – the two are inseparable; wherever you see Sikota, Princess Nakatindi will be there. And moreover at that time in 1997, Sikota and Princes Nakatindi had been together for more than 25 years. But Sikota didn’t obstruct the police, they were not obstructed in any way in executing their duties.
This was not because Sikota did not love his wife as much as Chiluba loves Regina. It was simply because Sikota had respect for the law and didn’t see himself as being above it. Although Sikota knew very well, and more than anyone else, that his wife was innocent and Chiluba was merely abusing his powers by detaining her, he respected the law. This equally applies to Dr Rajan Mathani when Chiluba detained him on trumped-up treason charges. Mrs Mathani, although she knew very well that Chiluba had no proper case against her husband, didn’t obstruct the work of the police or try to throw herself in police cells with him.
What about Dr Kenneth Kaunda? Soon after taking power in 1991, Chiluba subjected Dr Kaunda to a search to which he obliged although he knew very well that he was just being subjected to a malicious and humiliating probe. Chiluba alleged that Dr Kaunda had stolen books from State House and had his goods at a warehouse in Lusaka searched to recover the stolen items. Nothing was found.
On Christmas Day in 1997, Chiluba ordered the arrest and detention of Dr Kaunda on trumped-up treason charges. Again Dr Kaunda didn’t resist the arrest and his loving wife Betty didn’t in any way try to go to prison with him. The only person who threatened to join Dr Kaunda in prison was Mwalimu Julius Nyerere. He threatened that if Kenneth did not stop his hunger strike and eat something, he too was going to remain in Mukobeko Maximum Prison with him.
But today what is this nonsense of Chiluba and his wife thinking they are above the law? Who do they think they are? It is true every person, every accused person, is innocent until proved guilty. This is the presumption of law. But we know, and all those people who demonstrated in large numbers in 2002 calling for the removal of Chiluba’s immunity so that he could be prosecuted for corruption believe that the man is a thief, he had stolen from them. If you find a person stealing your chickens, the law presumes him to be innocent until proved guilty. But in your heart of hearts, and no one can tell you otherwise, the man is a chicken thief. This is the way the Zambian people look at Chiluba.
No amount of deception, propaganda or posturing will convince them otherwise.
Today Chiluba is telling us that he has documentary evidence to show who the true thieves are. We cannot dispute this because we don’t know what he has, and the true thieves he is talking about. But this shows one side of his character – tolerance of corruption, of theft.
If Chiluba has documentary evidence of who the true thieves are, why hasn’t he reported these thieves to the police, Anti Corruption Commission or other state agencies like the Drug Enforcement Commission? It had to take the arrest of his wife for him to say all these things! Is this the way for a responsible former president, who really loves his country, to behave? This behaviour speaks volumes about Chiluba’s attitude towards corruption and theft. We urge him to publicly reveal the documentary evidence he has to show who the true thieves are. If he can’t, he should just shut up.
We know that Chiluba is desperately looking for sympathy. But the Zambian people are not fools. They know who deserves sympathy and who doesn’t. Our people will never feel sorry for a snake charmer who gets bitten; for a thief who gets caught and is prosecuted.
Chiluba should thank his stars that his wife was very lucky to be prosecuted by an incompetent and inefficient prosecutor. The state has got a good case against Regina. There is a clear prima facie case against her – Regina’s wealth is far above her earned income and she will have difficulties completing a schedule of income and expenditure that balances without putting in unearned income.
We can only hope Chiluba, being a Christian, remembers what it means to ‘do unto others as you would like them to do unto you.’ We cannot preach justice to others if we do not preach justice to ourselves. Chiluba cannot call others to virtues, to practices which he himself never believed in, never practised when he was in power as president of the Republic of Zambia.
Again, there is nothing wrong the state did in entering a nolle prosequi in favour of Chiluba’s wife and re-arresting her on Monday. This process may certainly be unfair – and Chiluba, when he was in power, took advantage of it to harass his political opponents – but it is certainly legal. And the rule of law requires that we all respect the law whether we agree with it or not. And Chiluba’s conduct is not that of a person who respects the law; it is lawless behaviour from a person who thinks he is above the law. But the question again is: Who the hell does Chiluba think he is to be above the law?
Ba Sage(69), people think LPM has wrong advisers but i think FTJ has the worst.I don’t normally read copy and paste articles but i have made an exception and i’ve actually enjoyed this particular one !! i agree with the Editors comments 100% .
Ba SAGE ,
So naimwe mwatuposa panes kwati ba Chapi? Kutimwaamba shani ama paste ya Ci M’membe and Ci MMD propaganda pansaka? You have been our true brother for long here that our party has always counted your hardcore PF support. But what has happened to turn against our senior party members? You have really disappointed me. Shame on you!
people who ridicule chiluba on this blog call themselves educated but obviously dont know what “innocent till proven guilty” means?pure ignorance and simple hatred from a lot of people.thats why zed wont go anywhere until we stop this culture of jealousy PHD sydrome-Pull him Down.just wait till lpm gets his after leaving office
imwe mwebena zambia bunda bwakulanda i told you ukutila amapepo fye eh solution lekeni mwebelepo lelo read 2chronicles 7verse14 and the verses that follow and pray also for the leaders am talking to the people who believe in the God of israel leave ba chiluba alone.