Plot to Remove Zambian President Uncovered: Minister

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, May 18, 2003

Plot to Remove Zambian President Uncovered: Minister

A plot to remove Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa by plunders of national economy has been uncovered,Zambia's Home Affairs Minister Ron Shikapwasha said Saturday.

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A plot to remove Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa by plunders of national economy has been uncovered,Zambia's Home Affairs Minister Ron Shikapwasha said Saturday.

Shikapwasha made the remark at a public rally attended by Mwanawasa in Mumbwa, Central Province, the official Zambia News Agency reported.

The minister said the scheme was aimed at ushering into the presidential office another economic plunder so that those being investigated for plunder of national economy and those already arrested are released.

He warned that those involved in the plot risk being arrested because they are a threat to the nation as they are being aided byforeign nationals to destabilize the country.

Spokesperson of the Zambian police headquarters Brenda Muntembaconfirmed to Xinhua that no one has been arrested by the police inrelation to the alleged plot.

Shikapwasha did not give any names of the plotters, but it is known that former president Frederick Chiluba is being tried for plundering of national resources.

Facing the same charges are former Zambia security intelligenceservices chief Xavier Chungu and several other ministers and senior officials from the Chiluba government.

Since his assuming office in January 2002, Mwanawasa has embarked on a sweeping anti-corruption crusade, which has put his life in danger, as he has openly alleged on more than one occasions.

Shikapwasha said the plunders are mobilizing funds from southern African countries and Europe to bribe about 33 members ofparliament (MPs) from the ruling Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) to resign from the party for the government to collapse and ensure fresh elections.

"We now know that some selfish people plotting to remove President Mwanawasa from office illegally want to use plundered money to bribe 30-33 MMD MPS to resign so that the MMD government falls. If they resign, the MMD government will fall and there will be a call for fresh elections," he said.

As an enticement, he said the plotters have promised to settle on behalf of the MPs, loans acquired from parliament, the Food Reserve Agency and the Zambia National Commercial Bank.

He warned MPs being targeted to desist from associating themselves with corrupt people as they risk being sell-outs.

Reacting to the disclosure, Mwanawasa said the plot to remove him from office would not spare such people from prosecution because the fight against corruption is not his alone.

He said 40 percent of the country's resources have gone into private hands at the expense of development.

Mwanawasa vowed to punish and prosecute economic plunders, adding that even if he is removed from office, the fight against corruption would continue.

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