Critic of Zambia president to face fraud trial
Lusaka, (MILLAT ONLINE):A former Zambian minister and fierce critic of President Edgar Lungu will face trial after pleading not guilty to fraud charges on Monday following his arrest last week.
Investigators accuse ex-foreign minister Chishimba Kambwili of forging a signature on an official document and he appeared in court surrounded by hundreds of police officers who blocked access to the hearing.
“I understand the charges your honour and I plead not guilty,” lawmaker Kambwili, 50, told the court, denying the alleged offences which court documents showed date back to October 2013.
Magistrate David Simusamba set the trial date for March 6.
Kambwili has previously accused Lungu of corruption and theft and, while still a member of the president’s party, he supports the breakaway National Democratic Congress bloc.
“Lungu is drunk with his corruption and he is getting confused day by day, and those saying Lungu is not corrupt are foolish,” Kambwili said following his arrest on Tuesday.