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Frederick Chiluba: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox officeholder|name=Frederick Chiluba | {{Infobox officeholder|name=Frederick Chiluba | ||
|nationality = Zambian | |nationality = Zambian | ||
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|constituency= | |constituency= | ||
|party =[[Movement for Multi-party Democracy|MMD]] | |party =[[Movement for Multi-party Democracy|MMD]] | ||
|spouse = Vera Tembo (?–2000)<br>Regina Mwanza (2002–2011) | |spouse = [[Vera Tembo]] (?–2000)<br>[[Regina Mwanza]] (2002–2011) | ||
|children = 9 | |children = 9 | ||
|profession = | |profession =Trade Union official | ||
|religion = | |religion = Pentecostal | ||
|signature = | |signature = | ||
|footnotes = | |footnotes = | ||
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==Personal life== | ==Personal life== | ||
Frederick Chiluba and his second wife, former [[First Lady of Zambia]] [[Vera Tembo]], with whom he has nine children, divorced in 2000 after thirty-three years of marriage.<ref name=independent>{{cite news |first=Obert|last=Simwanza|title=Zambia’s ex-president Chiluba dies|url=http://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/zambia-s-ex-president-chiluba-dies-1.1084985 |work= | Frederick Chiluba and his second wife, former [[First Lady of Zambia]] [[Vera Tembo]], with whom he has nine children, divorced in 2000 after thirty-three years of marriage.<ref name=independent>{{cite news |first=Obert|last=Simwanza|title=Zambia’s ex-president Chiluba dies|url=http://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/zambia-s-ex-president-chiluba-dies-1.1084985 |work=Independent Online (South Africa) |publisher=|date=2011-06-18 |accessdate=2011-06-18}}</ref> Tembo has gone on to pursue a political career of her own, becoming MMD Chairperson for Women's Affairs, being elected to the Zambian Parliament, and becoming deputy [[Minister of the Environment]] in 2006.<ref>[http://www.afrol.com/articles/22033 From divorced First Lady to Zambian Minister]. Guardian Weekly (Lusaka) 18 October 2006</ref> On May 6, 2002, Chiluba married his third wife, [[Regina Mwanza]], the former chairperson of women's affairs for the [[Movement for Multi-Party Democracy]] (MMD), in Lusaka.<ref name=russell>[http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/52393,news-comment,news-politics,zambias-ex-president-frederick-chiluba-acquitted Zambia’s ex-President Chiluba acquitted]. Hugh Russell. First Post. 19 August 2009.</ref><ref name=allafrica>{{cite news |first=Joe|last=Kaunda|title=Chiluba, Regina Marry Quietly|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200212130308.html |work=AllAfrica.com |publisher=|date=2002-12-13 |accessdate=2011-06-18}}</ref><ref name=zpost>{{cite news |first=Amos|last=Malupenga|title=I am the good thing in Chiluba's life - Regina.|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-95516852/am-good-thing-chiluba.html |work=[[The Post]] |publisher=AccessMyLibrary|date=2002-12-15 |accessdate=2011-06-18}}</ref> | ||
Chiluba's personal appearance and dapper dress as well as his short stature (Chiluba stood just 1.5 m (5 ft) tall) was taken notice of both by his supporters and opponents throughout his career.<ref name=russell /><ref>[http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/citypress/1998/01/04/14/10.html When it's time to go . . . Kenneth Kaunda should follow Madiba's example]. Citypress (Lusaka) Sunday 04 January 1998 p. 14</ref> In connection to European corruption allegations against him in the late 2000s, it was revealed that a Swiss shop had produced over 100 pairs of size 6 shoes for him with two inch heels, many monogrammed.<ref>[http://www.theage.com.au/world/zambias-wellheeled-big-man-falls-20090814-el6e.html Zambia's well-heeled 'big man' falls]. David Smith, The Age. 15 August 2009.</ref> His careful appearance and taste for fine suits became a trademark,<ref name=bbcprofile /> and was noted during his corruption trial. In a particularly harsh example, Zambian Post writer Roy Clarke ran a recurring column which lampooned the President during his time in office as "a vain, cross-dressing, high-heel wearing, adulterous, dwarf thief".<ref>Stephen Chan. Grasping Africa: a tale of tragedy and achievement. London: ib. Tauris & Co Ltd., 2007 ISBN 978-1-84511-285-1 p.57</ref> Political opponents make reference to these charges and traits in their criticisms of Chiluba's rule. Candidate [[Michael Sata]], for instance, has played on this popular stereotype of Chiluba, charging that "Chiluba's thinking is as tall as he is... We are not going to steal money, we are not going to plunder, we are not going to buy suits, we are not going to buy shoes. We are not going to give girls houses..."<ref>[http://postzambia.com:3128/post-print_article.php?articleId=6702 C/belt, Luapula give Sata a rousing welcome]. Patson Chilemba, Zambia Post. 6 March 2010</ref> President Kaunda famously referred to Chiluba as the "Four-foot Dwarf" during Chiluba's rise in opposition politics.<ref>p. 79, 81. Jean-Pascal Daloz. [http://www.persee.fr/web/revues/home/prescript/article/mots_0243-6450_1996_num_48_1_2100?_Prescripts_Search_tabs1=standard& Les ambivalences dans la caricature des dirigeants politiques. Illustrations africaines]. Mots (Journal) Presses de Sciences Po, Paris. Volume 48. Issue 48. 1996. pp. 74-86</ref> Chiluba was acquitted of all corruption charges in August 2009.<ref>[http://www.lusakatimes.com/2010/08/15/london-judgement-chiluba-wins/ Zambia: London Court Judgement: Chiluba wins]. Zambia Daily Mail. 15 August 2010.</ref> Mr Chiluba had also been described by the BBC as "a fervent | Chiluba's personal appearance and dapper dress as well as his short stature (Chiluba stood just 1.5 m (5 ft) tall) was taken notice of both by his supporters and opponents throughout his career.<ref name=russell /><ref>[http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/citypress/1998/01/04/14/10.html When it's time to go . . . Kenneth Kaunda should follow Madiba's example]. Citypress (Lusaka) Sunday 04 January 1998 p. 14</ref> In connection to European corruption allegations against him in the late 2000s, it was revealed that a Swiss shop had produced over 100 pairs of size 6 shoes for him with two inch heels, many monogrammed.<ref>[http://www.theage.com.au/world/zambias-wellheeled-big-man-falls-20090814-el6e.html Zambia's well-heeled 'big man' falls]. David Smith, The Age. 15 August 2009.</ref> His careful appearance and taste for fine suits became a trademark,<ref name=bbcprofile /> and was noted during his corruption trial. In a particularly harsh example, Zambian Post writer Roy Clarke ran a recurring column which lampooned the President during his time in office as "a vain, cross-dressing, high-heel wearing, adulterous, dwarf thief".<ref>Stephen Chan. Grasping Africa: a tale of tragedy and achievement. London: ib. Tauris & Co Ltd., 2007 ISBN 978-1-84511-285-1 p.57</ref> Political opponents make reference to these charges and traits in their criticisms of Chiluba's rule. Candidate [[Michael Sata]], for instance, has played on this popular stereotype of Chiluba, charging that "Chiluba's thinking is as tall as he is... We are not going to steal money, we are not going to plunder, we are not going to buy suits, we are not going to buy shoes. We are not going to give girls houses..."<ref>[http://postzambia.com:3128/post-print_article.php?articleId=6702 C/belt, Luapula give Sata a rousing welcome]. Patson Chilemba, Zambia Post. 6 March 2010</ref> President Kaunda famously referred to Chiluba as the "Four-foot Dwarf" during Chiluba's rise in opposition politics.<ref>p. 79, 81. Jean-Pascal Daloz. [http://www.persee.fr/web/revues/home/prescript/article/mots_0243-6450_1996_num_48_1_2100?_Prescripts_Search_tabs1=standard& Les ambivalences dans la caricature des dirigeants politiques. Illustrations africaines]. Mots (Journal) Presses de Sciences Po, Paris. Volume 48. Issue 48. 1996. pp. 74-86</ref> Chiluba was acquitted of all corruption charges in August 2009.<ref>[http://www.lusakatimes.com/2010/08/15/london-judgement-chiluba-wins/ Zambia: London Court Judgement: Chiluba wins]. Zambia Daily Mail. 15 August 2010.</ref> Mr Chiluba had also been described by the BBC as "a fervent born-again Christian..." whose "...private life was the subject of much gossip."<ref name=bbcprofile /> | ||
==Unions== | ==Unions== | ||
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In 1990 he helped form the [[Movement for Multiparty Democracy]] (MMD), a party that, with Chiluba as its presidential candidate, went on to successfully challenge Kaunda's rule in the 1991 elections. Chiluba was a powerful speaker with a natural charm and charisma. Chiluba took office on November 2 of that year. He won re-election to a second five-year term in 1996 despite a lawsuit questioning his birthplace and hence his eligibility for the post. | In 1990 he helped form the [[Movement for Multiparty Democracy]] (MMD), a party that, with Chiluba as its presidential candidate, went on to successfully challenge Kaunda's rule in the 1991 elections. Chiluba was a powerful speaker with a natural charm and charisma. Chiluba took office on November 2 of that year. He won re-election to a second five-year term in 1996 despite a lawsuit questioning his birthplace and hence his eligibility for the post. | ||
Chiluba attempted to deport Kaunda on the grounds that he was a | Chiluba attempted to deport Kaunda on the grounds that he was a Malawian. He amended the constitution in order to stop citizens with foreign parentage from standing for the presidency, aimed at disqualifying Kaunda.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Mbao|first=Melvin|title=Human Rights and Discrimination: Zambia's Constitutional Amendment, 1996|journal=Journal of African Law|year=1996|volume=42|issue=1|pages=11|url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/745693|accessdate=30 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Guy Scott's rise to Zambia's presidency|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-29816559|agency=BBC|date=29 October 2014|quote=The "parentage clause" was inserted after the advent of multi-party democracy in Zambia in 1990 by then-President Frederick Chiluba to prevent his bitter rival, Kenneth Kaunda - the first post-independence leader whose father was born in what is now Malawi, from running for office again.}}</ref> | ||
Some candidates in the [[Zambian presidential election, 1996|1996 presidential elections]] challenged his eligibility on these grounds, claiming that he or his real father was born in | Some candidates in the [[Zambian presidential election, 1996|1996 presidential elections]] challenged his eligibility on these grounds, claiming that he or his real father was born in Zaire. There is, however, no doubt {{Citation needed|date=November 2009}} that he was raised in the Copperbelt of Zambia and this contributed to his taking up of unionism. | ||
In 1997 his government survived a [[1997 Zambian coup d'état attempt|coup attempt]]. | In 1997 his government survived a [[1997 Zambian coup d'état attempt|coup attempt]]. | ||
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He later married the MMD Women's Chairperson, Regina Mwanza a divorcee. | He later married the MMD Women's Chairperson, Regina Mwanza a divorcee. | ||
Despite his party's overwhelming majority in parliament, he failed to win support in his bid to amend the constitution allowing him to run for a third term. No member of parliament ever moved the motion in the house to amend the national constitution, the government never presented any paper on the matter nor was there any referendum to amend the national constitution. The third term debate was between different groups within and outside the MMD. Chiluba himself was quiet about it. He stepped down at the end of his term on January 2, 2002, and was replaced by [[Levy Mwanawasa]], his one-time vice-president. Chiluba started out as a | Despite his party's overwhelming majority in parliament, he failed to win support in his bid to amend the constitution allowing him to run for a third term. No member of parliament ever moved the motion in the house to amend the national constitution, the government never presented any paper on the matter nor was there any referendum to amend the national constitution. The third term debate was between different groups within and outside the MMD. Chiluba himself was quiet about it. He stepped down at the end of his term on January 2, 2002, and was replaced by [[Levy Mwanawasa]], his one-time vice-president. Chiluba started out as a socialist, but accepted some economic reforms. | ||
Chiluba can be said to have left both an economic and a political legacy.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1715419.stm "Chiluba's legacy to Zambia"], BBC News, 4 May 2007.</ref> Economically he started the process of ending Zambia's socialist | Chiluba can be said to have left both an economic and a political legacy.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1715419.stm "Chiluba's legacy to Zambia"], BBC News, 4 May 2007.</ref> Economically he started the process of ending Zambia's socialist command economy. He presided over various economic reforms. There are mixed feelings in Zambia on the effectiveness of the economic transformation initiated by the Chiluba government. | ||
He helped broker a peace agreement to end the war in the neighbouring | He helped broker a peace agreement to end the war in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo, but failed to stop the escalating crime and poverty in Zambia.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} | ||
Chiluba opposed international economic institutions. His successor [[Levy Mwanawasa]] re-established relations with IMF and World Bank which had been abolished during Chiluba's government. | Chiluba opposed international economic institutions. His successor [[Levy Mwanawasa]] re-established relations with IMF and World Bank which had been abolished during Chiluba's government. | ||
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Most of the charges that were made against him were later dropped, but others remained. In addition, his wife Regina was arrested for receiving stolen goods.<ref>[http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/News/0,,2-11-1447_2015932,00.html "No way out for Chiluba"], ''News24'', 18 October 2006.</ref><ref>[http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/News/0,,2-11-1447_2019091,00.html "Chiluba's wife arrested"], ''News24'', 23 October 2006.</ref><ref>Christian Fraser, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3302419.stm Zambia's 'matrix of plunder'], BBC News, 9 December 2003.</ref> | Most of the charges that were made against him were later dropped, but others remained. In addition, his wife Regina was arrested for receiving stolen goods.<ref>[http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/News/0,,2-11-1447_2015932,00.html "No way out for Chiluba"], ''News24'', 18 October 2006.</ref><ref>[http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/News/0,,2-11-1447_2019091,00.html "Chiluba's wife arrested"], ''News24'', 23 October 2006.</ref><ref>Christian Fraser, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3302419.stm Zambia's 'matrix of plunder'], BBC News, 9 December 2003.</ref> | ||
In early 2006, Chiluba was flown to | In early 2006, Chiluba was flown to South Africa for medical attention for a heart condition. After resisting the government's call for him to return to Zambia for what they termed as long-term treatment, he returned on July 15. | ||
On 4 May 2007 he was found guilty of stealing $46m (£23m) in a civil case by a UK court.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6624547.stm "Zambia's Chiluba guilty of graft"], BBC News, 4 May 2007.</ref> London high court judge | On 4 May 2007 he was found guilty of stealing $46m (£23m) in a civil case by a UK court.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6624547.stm "Zambia's Chiluba guilty of graft"], BBC News, 4 May 2007.</ref> London high court judge Peter Smith accused Chiluba of shamelessly defrauding his people and flaunting his wealth with an expensive wardrobe of "stupendous proportions". He also castigated his lawyer, Iqbal Meer, saying "I am satisfied that no honest solicitor in his position would have done what he did." His unquestioning acceptance of the money - transferred to a London bank account by the Zambian intelligence service - was "classic blind eye dishonesty".<ref>[http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2112648,00.html "Judge slams Mandela's lawyer"], Sapa (News24), 13 May 2007.</ref><ref>[http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=nw20070513111152509C554172 "Disappointment for Madiba's lawyer"], Sapa (''IOL''), 13 May 2007.</ref> An appeal against the ruling was allowed by the court of appeal in 2008.<ref>http://www.iqbalmeer.com/meer-care-desai-ruling-original-vs-appeal/</ref> | ||
Chiluba, however, continued to plead innocence and refused to recognise the verdict of the Judge Peter Smith who he accused of having been bribed by the Mwanawasa government. It is yet to be seen what effect the civil ruling in the UK will have on the criminal proceedings in the Zambian courts. Chiluba indicated at the time that the judgement in the UK had rendered the criminal proceedings in Zambia academic by heavily prejudicing his case. | Chiluba, however, continued to plead innocence and refused to recognise the verdict of the Judge Peter Smith who he accused of having been bribed by the Mwanawasa government. It is yet to be seen what effect the civil ruling in the UK will have on the criminal proceedings in the Zambian courts. Chiluba indicated at the time that the judgement in the UK had rendered the criminal proceedings in Zambia academic by heavily prejudicing his case. | ||
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==Political stances after leaving office== | ==Political stances after leaving office== | ||
Chiluba's relationship with President Mwanawasa and the MMD soured badly after he was charged with corruption. He backed Mwanawasa's main opponent, [[Michael Sata]], in the [[Zambian presidential election, 2006|2006 presidential election]]. After Mwanawasa's death in 2008, Vice-President [[Rupiah Banda]] succeeded him and Chiluba's fortunes improved markedly. Chiluba was acquitted in 2009—a decision that Sata alleged was "engineered" by Banda—and President Banda refused to allow the state to appeal the verdict or pursue the matter further. Chiluba announced in January 2010 that he was supporting Banda for re-election in 2011, while also criticizing the main opposition leaders. [[Transparency International]] argued that Chiluba was endorsing Banda "so that he can be guaranteed his freedom", and Sata was similarly critical: "Chiluba will do anything possible to ensure that his friend remains in power."<ref>[http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=84&art_id=nw20100126222338384C932760 "Chiluba endorses Banda"], Sapa-AFP (''IOL''), 27 January 2010.</ref> | Chiluba's relationship with President Mwanawasa and the MMD soured badly after he was charged with corruption. He backed Mwanawasa's main opponent, [[Michael Sata]], in the [[Zambian presidential election, 2006|2006 presidential election]]. After Mwanawasa's death in 2008, Vice-President [[Rupiah Banda]] succeeded him and Chiluba's fortunes improved markedly. Chiluba was acquitted in 2009—a decision that Sata alleged was "engineered" by Banda—and President Banda refused to allow the state to appeal the verdict or pursue the matter further. Chiluba announced in January 2010 that he was supporting Banda for re-election in 2011, while also criticizing the main opposition leaders. [[Transparency International Zambia]] argued that Chiluba was endorsing Banda "so that he can be guaranteed his freedom", and Sata was similarly critical: "Chiluba will do anything possible to ensure that his friend remains in power."<ref>[http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=84&art_id=nw20100126222338384C932760 "Chiluba endorses Banda"], Sapa-AFP (''IOL''), 27 January 2010.</ref> | ||
==Death== | ==Death== | ||
