Paper long abstract:

"The struggle against those who plundered our national resources"

The interaction between donors, the Zambian government and an ex-president in uncovering theft from the state during the Chiluba period (1991-2001).

Accusations of theft mounted towards the end of the period in which Frederick T. Chiluba was president of Zambia. Chiluba seemed to have protected against these as he handpicked his successor, Levy Mwanawasa. Mwanawasa narrowly won the 2001 presidential elections. He was however after his victory faced with unexpected developments in parliament. Dipak Patel, a Lusaka MP, was accused in court of slander as he had said publicly that Chiluba was a thief. After the elections, he used parliamentary privilege to consult the London accounts of ZANACO, a state owned bank in order to prove his case. This, in conjunction with donor commissioned accountant's reports led to revelations of theft during the Chiluba period. Mwanawasa turned against his protector and asked parliament to take away Chiluba's immunity from prosecution. The donors funded a task force to recover the stolen assets and prepare court cases against Chiluba and his accomplices. At the end of Mwanawasa's first term of office, there has only been one minor conviction in these cases. The accused deny the charges and are defiant in court. Two of the most important co-accused Xavier Chunga, the ex-security chief and Attan Shansonga, ex-ambassodor in London and Washington have bolted abroad. A Director of Public Prosecutions has been sacked because of subversive contacts with the accused. The taskforce took on also new corruption scandals and made a case against a permanent secretary in health. This was squashed from above and was reopened after dismay by the press and the donor community. Katele Kalumba, ex-minister of finance under Chiluba and one of the co-accused has won a seat on the National Executive Council of the ruling political party. He appears to be a major force in organising the campaign for the re-election of Mwanawasa. Kalumba originates from Luapula province. Chiluba originates as well from there. Kalumba may placate the supporters of Chiluba who are understandably not pleased with the present government.

The donors are frustrated by the turn of events and the French ambassador has made remarks that could be interpreted as intervention in Zambia's internal affairs.

The case demonstrates the limited value of high profile anti corruption trials. They have a cathartic effect on the country, but they will reveal that corruption is a social phenomenon and that does not lend itself to locating evil in one or a few accused.