Zambia’s corruption-tainted ex-president dies

ZAMBIA: Zambia’s former president Frederick Chiluba, 68, credited with turning the page on the autocratic rule of founding father Kenneth Kaunda but later accused of plundering state coffers, died Saturday.

“It is with deep sorrow and sadness that I formally announce the passing of our dear former president Frederick Chiluba who died earlier this morning,” President Rupiah Banda said Banda in a statement.

“He will be sadly missed by all Zambians and human rights activists across the world,” said Banda.

Chiluba, who came to office in 1991 after 27 years of single party socialist rule, died at his home shortly after midnight after suffering a seizure, his spokesman Emmanuel Mwamba said. Weeping mourners gathered outside his house in the suburb of Kabulonga east of the capital Lusaka, as politicians and relatives arrived to pay their respects.

Mwamba said the diminutive leader — only 1.5 metres (just under five foot) tall had felt unwell on Friday afternoon. “He had a seizure, the doctor tried to resuscitate him for 10 minutes, but realised he was dead.”

Lusaka, Sunday, AFP