Maravi

Chiluba's acquittal is surprising, shocking says former Ambassador Vigtel

Chiluba's acquittal is surprising, shocking says former Ambassador Vigtel
Written by George Zulu in Monze
Wednesday, September 23, 2009 6:03:48 PM

FORMER Norwegian ambassador to Zambia Terje Vigtel has said the acquittal of former president, Fredrick Chiluba on corruption charges was surprising and shocking due to the overwhelming nature of the evidence before the courts.

In an interview last evening, Vigtel said the evidence against the former head of state was overwhelming and the acquittal came as a surprise and was shocking to the outside world.

ÒI was surprised that Chiluba was acquitted and it came as a surprise because the facts which were before the court were convincing that the offence was committed during his regime [chiluba's] and expected that the rule of law would take its course but we should also understand and accept the out come because of your legal system,Ó said Vigtel.

He said late president Levy Mwanawasa fought any vices of corruption vigorously because he saw and felt the importance of fighting corruption in addressing high levels of poverty the country was experiencing.

Vigtel said although he was unable to comment on President Rupiah Banda performance in the fight against corruption, late Mwanawasa's government felt the importance of fighting corruption and meant taking the crusade through a number of initiatives and institutions created such as the Task force on corruption.

He said failure by government to show cause in the fight against corruption and the assurance for prudent usage of public funds in a transparent manner would discourage donors from funding various social and economical sectors which depends much on foreign aid.

Vigtel challenged Zambians to organise themselves in the fight against corruption in a vigorous manner because the vice was a disease which if not seriously fought would lead to economical suicide.

ÒThe rule of law and political will is needed in the fight against corruption especially that Zambia's poverty levels were too high and unsustainable, it is sad that despite Zambia being a rich nation with a lot of resources it has kept on being poor, your country is rich but the question you should ask yourself is that why are we poor?,Ó he said.

Vigtel said it was not acceptable to have a bigger margin of people living in abject poverty when the country had enough if not abundant natural resources and skilful manpower and attracted foreign well wishers to fund a lot of developmental projects, adding that political leadership should lead to the emancipation of the people from poverty and other socio-economic injustices.

He said Zambia was not at war to subject its people to such high levels of poverty and someone should look into the matter very seriously in order to give hope for the better future for Zambian people.

ÒI think Zambians should be able to initiate projects such as the Matantala programmes which look at the plight of the rural population in a particular area, such programmes make people to take responsibility of their lives and they actively participate in the economical development of the country even the issue of corruption can also be fought through using such channels because people will be able to ask how donor funds are being used,Ó said Vigtel.

He said Zambia needed a leadership which takes the welfare of the people a priority than a kind of leadership which he described as Òall time is to eat.Ó

Labels: CHILUBA, CORRUPTION, TERJE VIGTEL

posted by MrK @ 5:04 PM