Former spy chief says he helped rig Zambian election
Court could nullify results
Thursday, January 30, 2003 Posted: 3:42 PM EST (2042 GMT)
LUSAKA, Zambia (Reuters) -- Zambia's former intelligence chief told a court Thursday he authorized and directed the siphhoning of millions of dollars of state funds to Zambia's ruling party ahead of controversial 2001 elections.
Xavier Chungu was speaking at a Supreme Court hearing into alleged rigging in the election of President Levy Mwanawasa, who has led a crackdown on corruption since taking power and has said he is willing to face fresh elections if the court rules there was fraud.
Chungu was subpoenaed to appear by opposition lawyers who have challenged Mwanawasa's election.
Chungu said he was ordered by former President Frederick Chiluba to raise money for the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy, or MMD, in the runup to the polls.
He said he helped divert 16 billion kwacha ($3.3 million at current exchange rates) to the MMD from the state-owned Zambia National Commercial Bank (Zanaco) and the intelligence service through a secret account he operated in London.
If proven, the case could lead to a court order nullifying Mwanawasa's victory. Zambian laws prohibit the use of state funds for campaigning.
Earlier this month, Katele Kalumba, former finance and foreign minister, and seven finance officials were charged with misuse of public funds as part of Zambia's biggest anti-graft drive since independence from Britain in 1964.
Chiluba is not facing charges and is appealing the removal of his presidential immunity.
Ordered to raise cash
Before his election, Mwanawasa was seen as a puppet of Chiluba who was barred from running for a third term by the constitution. But Mwanawasa's anti-corruption campaign has targeted Chiluba and his associates.
Chungu told the court: "I was given specific instructions to raise 22 billion kwacha for the MMD. But I only managed to raise in the range of 16 billion. Some of the money we took (for) the MMD came from donors."
He said he personally bought 158 vehicles for the MMD which were used during the campaign, and also used state funds to charter a plane in which Mwanawasa flew around the country.
Chungu said $76,000 in public funds was used to print the MMD election manifesto.
He said Chiluba kept all the money at State House.
"Once Dr. Chiluba told me to look for money because the candidate (Mwanawasa) needed money. I delivered 250 million kwacha and Mr Mwanawasa arrived at State House soon after me. Mr. Mwanawasa walked out of his (Chiluba's) office with a big khaki envelope full of money. ... He looked very happy," Chungu said.
Mwanawasa has not commented on the allegations, saying he will respond in court.
Chungu said he had also fed money to traditional rulers. "We used funds from the intelligence service to pay them allowances which were meant to harness their support for the MMD, since they wield a lot of influence among their people."
Chungu said he helped hatch a plot to weaken opposition parties by giving some of their leaders cash they used to destabilize their parties.
