Zambia's ex-President and former trade union leader Frederick Chiluba has been found guilty of stealing $46 million (£23 million) of public money by a UK court. Mr Chiluba laundered the money through two London-based law firms. He officially earned about $100,000 while in power from 1991-2001 and yet he paid an exclusive boutique shop in Switzerland $1.2 million. Mr Chiluba had a reputation as a "smart and expensive dresser".
Justice Peter Smith said "This was at a time when the vast majority of Zambians were struggling to live on $1 a day and many could not afford more than one meal a day"
There are approximately 7 million Zambians living in poverty according to Hilary Benn, the UK International Development Secretary.
Successor, President Levy Mwanawasa said that he would grant a presidential pardon to Mr Chiluba if he admitted the allegations of corruption and returned 75% of the cash he allegedly stole.
Hmmmm...???...that still leaves Chiluba with $11.5 MILLION .
To paraphrase a William Cowper quote :-
Thieves at home must hang; but he that puts into his overgorged and bloated purse the wealth of the people , escapes
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