July 2001 Africa News Headlines

Wednesday, July 11, 2001 - Web posted at 12:58:34 PM GMT

Murder, scandal, power tarnish Zambia's Chiluba
MANOAH ESIPISU

LUSAKA - Zambian President Frederick Chiluba, who chaired the Organisation of African Unity as it became the new African Union economic community, had hoped to be crowned Africa's king of democracy and peacemaking this year.

But an acrimonious campaign to extend his rule this year beyond the constitutional 10-year limit and the slaying of a close aide who turned opponent combined to undermine Chiluba during what should have been a moment of glory.

When he became Zambia's president in 1991, Chiluba pledged that he would leave office peacefully when his time was done. But the 58-year-old former trade unionist sought to change the constitution to allow a third term, provoking charges he was as power-hungry as colleagues in Africa he had once condemned.

"In the end, there will be no crown for this 'king'. The third term, graft in government and the murder of a former ally have weighed heavily on the new chairman," said Jotham Momba, professor of political science at the University of Zambia in Lusaka.

In April, after a stunning cabinet revolt led by then Vice President Christon Tembo and a massive public outcry against changing the constitution, Chiluba capitulated and opted to step aside when his term ends.

Before he could recover, the chief justice launched a special court to hear corruption charges against three close Chiluba aides -- Finance Minister Katele Kalumba, Works and Supplies Minister Godden Mandandi and Home Affairs Minister Peter Machungwa.

The ministers were accused of diverting $700,000 from state coffers meant for road repairs to financing for the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy's (MMD's) divisive internal elections.

Paul Tembo -- Chiluba's former campaign manager and one of the architects of the third term campaign -- was due to testify against the three ministers on the morning of July 7 when he was shot dead in his bedroom before his horrified wife.

Christon Tembo says Paul Tembo, who was not a relation, was silenced to keep him from giving testimony that would link senior government figures to massive abuse of office and graft.

Paul Tembo, who analysts said had in-depth knowledge of the MMD's finances, left the party only two months ago after falling out with Chiluba.

Chiluba served as leader of the main Zambia Congress of Trade Unions for 17 years before ousting founding President Kenneth Kaunda in pluralist elections in 1991. He easily defended his seat in 1996.

He is credited with dismantling Kaunda's socialist-based command economy and launching one of Africa's most successful privatisation programmes.

His efforts resulted in Zambia's qualifying for debt relief of just about $3.8 billion under the enhanced initiative for Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) last year.

Chiluba dropped out of formal school at junior secondary level, becoming a bus conductor and farm hand. But he went on to gain a Masters degree in political science from Britain's Warwick University during his first term as president.

He took power pledging to end "the life president syndrome" Kaunda advocated.

"Chiluba started off a national hero, when people believed they had rid themselves of the dictatorship tendencies of President Kenneth Kaunda," said Edith Nawakwi, the former labour minister who lost her job after she supported the cabinet revolt against the third term.

"He will now leave office in disgrace because he has turned a blind eye to corruption and he has allowed insecurity to flourish," she said.

Chief government spokesman Vernon Mwaanga says the OAU chairmanship acknowledges Chiluba's role in negotiating peace in the Great Lakes region and will cap his 10-year presidency.

"He has devoted his presidency to helping the region settle its disputes because you cannot see development without peace and stability," Mwaanga said.

Chiluba negotiated peace pacts for Angola in 1994, which were later broken, and the Democratic Republic of Congo five years later. Chiluba told Reuters this week that of all African conflicts, he saw the best prospects for peace in the Congo because the groups involved in the conflict appeared deeply committed to ending the war.

Chiluba is a devout Christian. He separated from his wife of 32 years Vera, with whom he had nine children, last year. Nampa-Reuters

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