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Wednesday, July 17, 2002 - Web posted at 7:01:23 am GMT

LUSAKA, July 16 (Reuters) - Zambia's parliament voted on Tuesday to lift former President Frederick Chiluba's immunity from prosecution, clearing the way for him to stand trial if he is charged with corruption.

Parliament took up the motion after President Levy Mwanawasa stunned legislators last week with allegations of corruption and abuse of office against his predecessor. Chiluba retired in December after serving his second and final five-year term.

"The vote was unanimous. His immunity has been lifted," Agriculture Minister Mundia Sikatana told Reuters.

The speaker of parliament, Amusaa Mwanamwambwa, said the vote meant Chiluba "may now face criminal charges for offences he may have committed while he was still president".

After the vote, members of parliament shouted "victory, victory", while waving their clenched fists in the air.

And outside parliament, hundreds of Zambians, who had protested during the debate, broke into cheers.

"Justice has been done...the long wait is over. This is what we wanted," said 20-year-old Wendy Hapambali.

Other demonstrators shouted: "Viva parliament! Viva parliament!" as they beat drums and danced along the streets, waving placards.

"Parliament: don't let us down. Remove Chiluba's immunity," said one placard. Another said: "We have suffered enough while Chiluba and his cronies are enjoying stolen money".

Mwanawasa, viewed as a puppet of Chiluba after he retired last year, has launched the country's biggest crackdown on corruption since independence from Britain in 1964.

SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS

Vice President Enoch Kavindele presented the motion to lift Chiluba's immunity to parliament.

"It's a very difficult motion as it involves a man who served the country for 10 years to the best of his ability. But a man that now faces serious allegations."

Mwanawasa last week listed in parliament a series of what he alleged were questionable or corrupt deals ordered or approved by Chiluba, who ousted liberation hero Kenneth Kaunda in polls in 1991.

The allegations of questionable payments have led to the resignation of Zambia's foreign minister and chief justice, and its ambassador to Washington was arrested in Lusaka last week.

Analysts say the crackdown is aimed at winning over foreign donors and Zambians who did not vote for Mwanawasa, who won a December election criticised by foreign observers as flawed.

Opposition leader Anderson Mazoka is challenging the victory in the Supreme Court.

Chiluba on Sunday denied the allegations of corruption and said he was the victim of a political witch hunt.

"I am being persecuted. I deny all allegations against me," Chiluba said.

Before the vote, Chiluba said if parliament removed his immunity, it should do the same with Kaunda.

In the latter part of his 27-year rule, Kaunda and his United National Independence Party were accused of corruption. Kaunda's inept management of the economy led to street protests and ultimately his defeat at the polls. Nampa-Reuters

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