Zambia gov't threatens more charges against ex-president Banda

 By MICHAEL CHAWE in Lusaka 

President Rupiah Banda's son, Henry, who is reported to be living in South Africa, is wanted by Zambia police on suspicion of corruption in connection with the sale of the state telco Zamtel in 2010 to a Libyan firm. 

The Zambian government reacted angrily and threatened to place more charges on former President Rupiah Banda for remarks that he is "shielding" his son, Henry, from a probe, local media reported Monday.

Henry Banda is wanted by Zambia police on suspicion of corruption in connection with the sale of the state telco Zamtel in 2010 to Libya's Lap Green firm.

The sale was reversed by the regime of President Michael Sata on ascending to power in September 2011.

Mr Banda,76, was quoted by local media saying he has given "instructions" to his fugitive son Henry, who is domiciled in South Africa since his father's loss of power, not to return home fearing he will be "tortured".

Mr Banda, who was President from 2008 to 2011, allegedly made the remarks during the release of his other son, Andrew, from custody on allegations he defamed the current President.

"My piece of advice to former president Rupiah Banda is that he should remain calm and that's what we expect from an accused person instead of being provocative. There are still more charges coming against him," the country's Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba warned in an angry reaction published in by the privately-owned daily The Post.

"What you have heard in court is just the tip of an iceberg and he should take this as a very serious matter. If he continues playing politics, playing to the gallery and to pontificate, he won't be doing himself a favour.

"As government we shall do what the people of Zambia have demanded to all people involved in acts of corruption irrespective of their age."

He said the government will not torture Henry when returns to Lusaka.

"We are not a government that tortures its citizens. What we have done is subject everybody to the due process of the law. If Rupiah Banda was tortured at his age he would have been dead today."

President Sata's regime has slapped a growing number of charges against members of the former regime in what critics say is persecution and intimidation.