Mr. Frederick Chiluba, the former Republican President has been ordered by a British Judge to pay back US$35 million of the $41 million he allegedly defrauded Zambia while in power. Did you cry or get angry or ask difficult questions of how this could have happened or why this case took place in a London Court or just nodded your shoulders?
This case reviews to the nation that the conduct of many of our people in public offices is below reasonable expectations. Otherwise how do you explain the theft of such colossal amount of money without the auditors and other key leaders in the Ministry of Finance exposing the scum? This case clearly shows us that there is both gross indiscipline, corruption or incompetence and that the majority of our Zambian leaders have been more interested in pursuing their own narrow and selfish interests than in promoting the welfare of the generality of our people. In addition, the fact that this case took place in a London Court is an indicator that the consistent sabotage of the common good has led to the widespread distrust of donors in our local justice systems to investigate public theft and to bring about desired justice.
This case provides a forum for collective audit of the nation’s leadership and a platform for generating possible remedies. What is contained in the judgment is an eye opener to the nature of the leadership crisis we face in the nation. Therefore, we should be discussing how we should evaluate, recruit, reject, censure and replace leaders. For example when you consider all the people involved in this case, one feature that stands out is that the structure of power in Zambia, and recruitment into it, seem destined to produce the wrong leaders for the country, leaders who are neither dedicated nor free from tribalism, but ‘skillful’ in the pursuit of narrow and selfish interest.
This case also shows us that the Zambian Constitution confers upon the head of state an enormous amount of economic and social power; Mr. Chiluba used this power to build huge personal fortunes and to reward patronage. We need a new Constitution that subject the head of state to the same law as does to the humblest person of the country. Think of Israel, a king was assigned a far more restricted role. In Israel the idea king was an Israelite, did not acquire great number of horses for himself, he did not accumulate large amount of silver and gold or marry several wives. His power was also limited by covenantal law like any of his subjects (Deut. 17:14-20; 1 Sam.10-25).
This case calls the nation to prayer and practical action. In 2 Chron. 7:12-22, God gives a definite promise of the power of prayer to affect the state of the land. If people who are strongly identified with God in a praying house turn to Him in inward correctness and with a desire for Him personally in fervent national prayer, He promises that He will hear from heaven and heal the land. In practical action let our faith in God play a role in setting up a new constitution and in establishing what is fair and just for all.
Daniel Daka
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