Be apologetic, Bishop Mumbi advises Chiluba

Be apologetic, Bishop Mumbi advises Chiluba
By Brighton Phiri and Nomusa Michelo
Sunday May 13, 2007 [04:00]

Luapula Province Anglican Bishop Robert Mumbi yesterday advised Frederick Chiluba to be apologetic. Commenting on the London High Court judgment that established that former president Chiluba defrauded the Republic of Zambia of millions of dollars, Bishop Mumbi said Chiluba had admitted having stolen over US$41 million.

"If I accuse you of something and you say yes I did this but not that, it means you are saying you did something," Bishop Mumbi said. "You are saying I was not alone. He has accepted the guilt, he said he took President Levy Mwanawasa to hospital, he took Mrs Betty Kaunda to hospital and some of the money he took his children to school but what did he do with the other money? I would be happy if he was more apologetic. God loves sinners so he would like sinners to be repentant."

And Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) board chairperson Reverend Moses Mwale yesterday observed that the London High Court judgment against Chiluba should serve as a warning to those that aspire to serve the Zambian people.

Rev Mwale described the judgment as a landmark development for the Zambian people.

"As CCZ, we take the London judgment as a landmark judgment. We are pleased with it not because we want Chiluba to be punished, but that it serves as a warning to other politicians who aspire to serve the Zambian people," he said.

Rev Mwale said it was sad that at the time the public funds were being looted, government told the Zambian people that there was no money for drugs in the hospitals to save lives. "It is a judgement for the people of Zambia because we now know why many of our beloved ones either died or suffered," he said.

"It is a reward for those that died and suffered as a result of the plunder." Rev Mwale commended the Attorney General of Zambia for having initiated the London High Court proceedings. He further described the judgement as a milestone, which should be emulated by Zambia's courts.

"The speed at which the case was expedited is worth emulating by our courts," he said. Rev Mwale asked government to quickly register the London Court judgement with the High Court so that proceedings of recovery could commence. He said Zambians were looking forward to recovering their stolen resources.

Catholic Commission for Justice, Development and Peace (CCJDP) executive director Sam Mulafulafu called for the review of Chiluba's benefits. Mulafulafu said there was no justification for government to continue paying Chiluba benefits after the London Court established that he had defrauded Zambians of millions of dollars. "We saw it coming, Mr Chiluba claims he is innocent, but here is the judgement," Mulafulafu said.

"During his rein, many sectors were deprived of money. There were no drugs in hospitals and our education sector was declining. Even today we are struggling to send Mr. Chiluba to South Africa for medical treatment when our own money, which could have saved life and improve our education sector, was pocketed."

Last week, London High Court judge Peter Smith established that Chiluba and others had defrauded Zambia of a total of US$41 million through the BK Facility and the Zamtrop account in London. Judge Smith ordered Chiluba and others to pay about 85 per cent of the total sum (US$41 million) within 14 days upon service of the judgment. T

This is a case in which the Attorney General of Zambia took out a civil suit against Chiluba and 19 others who were alleged to have siphoned about US$20 million from the state treasury. Judge Smith said he was satisfied that Chiluba and former Zambia Security Intelligence Service director general Xavier Chungu were major conspirators and were also in breach of their fiduciary duties.

Those co-accused with Chiluba include Cave Malik and Company, Xavier Francis Chungu (XFC), Attan Shansonga, Stella Chibanda, Aaron Chungu, Bimal Thaker, Faustin Kabwe, Francis Kaunda, Boutique Basile, Nebraska Associates Limited, MISSL Associates Limited, Hearnville Estates, Jarban SA, Raphael Soriano Katoto, Belsquare Residence, NV Roland Cracco and Robert Standaert.

However, during a press conference at his Kabulonga residence on Thursday, Chiluba defended himself against the London High Court judgment by accusing President Levy Mwanawasa and British Prime Minister, Tony Blair of corruption and imperialist conspiracy against him. Dismissing judge Smith's judgement as corrupt, racist and trash, Chiluba accused British Prime Minister Tony Blair and the entire British political and judicial system of trying to impose imperialism on Zambia.

Chiluba also accused President Mwanawasa of championing British imperialism in Zambia. "It is my opinion that both gentlemen Tony Blair and Mwanawasa advanced the popular slogan of corruption to hide their own skeletons in cupboards," charged Chiluba. "They have not provided the necessary leadership they pontificated."