Chiluba's wife arrested
23/10/2006 16:24  - (SA)  

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Lusaka - The wife of Zambia's embattled ex-leader Frederick Chiluba has been arrested and charged with four counts of receiving stolen money and properties, said a family spokesperson on Monday.

Regina Chiluba, who was initially grilled by the special taskforce on corruption, was formally arrested and released on police bail pending a court appearance, said Emmanuel Mwamba.

"She has been arrested and charged with four counts of receiving properties, cash and motor vehicles suspected to have been stolen or unlawfully obtained," said Mwamba shortly after she was released.

Regina Chiluba will appear before magistrates in the Copperbelt region on November 2, said Mwamba.

Chiluba's wife was accompanied to the police by her lawyers and family members, but the former president stayed home due to his deteriorating health.

Wife's assets seized

Chiluba, who ruled Zambia for 10 years until 2001 when he retired, is accused of stealing million dollars in state funds together with several officials who served under him.

His wife, whose assets have been seized by police, is also accused of having received a huge sum of state funds from Chiluba when she was his mistress during his tenure as head of state.

Chiluba married Regina shortly after he left the presidency and divorced his wife of 33 years, Vera, who is now deputy environment minister in President Levy Mwanawasa's government.

Jointly charged with Chiluba

Mwamba said it was a difficult period for the ex-president, who is also facing charges of corruption and abuse of office while suffering from an acute cardiac condition.

The anti-corruption taskforce has also summoned Chiluba's ally, Fautine Kabwe, to appear before its investigators on Wednesday.

Kabwe, who is jointly charged with Chiluba in another case, is believed to have been the mastermind of the ex-leader's finances through a private firm that he owned.