Be strong, Chiluba urges his friends

Be strong, Chiluba urges his friends
By oel Sichalwe
Saturday September 08, 2007 [04:00]

BE strong, former president Frederick Chiluba yesterday encouraged suspected plunderers in a matter where MMD national secretary Katele Kalumba and seven others are charged with abuse of authority of office and corruption. Chiluba accompanied his wife Regina to court for mention after she was re-arrested on Monday for allegedly receiving property suspected to have been stolen. Regina's mention coincided with Kalumba's case.

Kalumba is jointly charged with former finance permanent secretary Stella Chibanda, former secretaries to the treasury Professor Benjamin Mweene and Boniface Nonde, and former chief economist Bede Mpande. Others are former Access Finance Services Limited directors Faustin Kabwe and Aaron Chungu.

While entering the courtroom where the mention was to take place, Chiluba met and shook hands with Katele and his co-accused. When he greeted Faustin Kabwe, Chiluba said: “Mulekosa bane. Uko twafuma kutali elyo ko tuleya kwaipipa (Be strong. We have come a long way and we are getting nearer to the end.)”

Chiluba later left and went to magistrate Sharon Newa’s courtroom where Regina was scheduled to have her case mentioned.

Regina has been charged with nine counts of failing to account for property believed to have been stolen. The property in issue includes a 61-inch Toshiba colour television set, K447 million cash, real estates in Ndola and Kitwe.

Task Force prosecutor Dennis Simwiinga said plea should be taken on September 10 before magistrate Charles Kafunda.