Zambian president launches new anti-corruption plan

Zambian president launches new anti-corruption plan

LUSAKA — Zambia's President Rupiah Banda on Thursday launched a new national anti-corruption policy, hoping to erase doubts over his government's anti-graft credentials after former leader Frederick Chiluba was cleared of embezzlement.

A court 10 days ago cleared Chiluba, a flamboyant former president, but convicted his two co-accused.

After the verdict the head of Zambia's Task Force on Corruption, Max Nkole was sacked and his appeal in the Chiluba case was withdrawn by prosecutors.

The resulting controversy has raised doubts about whether Banda would continue the anti-corruption crackdown launched by the late president Levy Mwanawasa, which had won Zambia praise overseas.

Opposition parties have accused Banda of interfering in the courts to win Chiluba's acquittal on charges that he embezzled 500,000 US dollars of public money.

Banda said the new policy would reinforce government's commitment to eradicating graft and provide a framework for government agencies to cooperate with the public in investigations.

"We renew our resolve to uphold the motto of ?Zero Tolerance Against Corruption'. The war against corruption is the responsibility of everyone," Banda said.

"My government shall remain committed to the rule of law and respect for human rights," Banda said.

"Even as we fight corruption we should not lose sight of the constitutional rights of those accused," he added.

Banda credited the government's efforts in fighting corruption with helping fuel Zambia's record economic growth over the last decade.

"The government has over the last eight years implemented a wide range of reform measures to combat corruption, streamlined the management of public resources and enhanced service delivery," he said.

"The reforms had a positive effect on the economy until the onset of the global economic downturn," Banda said.

The top British aid official in Zambia, Mike Hammond, urged Banda to show commitment in the anti-corruption fight.

"If the government of Zambia is to build on the momentum of the past success, it must be seen to take action against those that do not abide by the rules, and no individual should be above the law," Hammond said.

Britain has given more than 13 million dollars since 2000 to support Zambia's anti-corruption agencies.

Chiluba has accused Britain of masterminding his prosecution, saying the case was driven by "imperialists".