Some have argued that the continued querying
into the corrupt, financial dealings of the Chiluba regime is not good for Africa. This, goes the argument, is because other
presidents will be reluctant to relinquish power fearing that their successors
will be delving into their past. I
disagree with this line of thought. The main lesson that can be drawn from the
Chiluba saga is about accountability.
When, in 1991, Chiluba came to power,
the former trade unionist said his would be a different regime. And millions of
Zambians believed him: Kenneth Kaunda's regime, which had been in power since
1964, had by now not only lost its vigour, but many of the ministers were also
deeply corrupt. Sadly, this culture of
corruption was to persist in the Chiluba regime; government officials were
plainly not able to make a distinction between state assets and their private
bank accounts. As Chiluba keeps
appearing in court, I hope that other Zambian civil servants will be aware of
what they could eventually have to go through if they start bending the rules.
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