Former Republican President, Frederick Chiluba has been found with a case to answer. This is in a case in which he is accused of stealing public funds amounting to $488,000.He faces a minimum of five years in jail if found guilty.

The Lusaka Magistrate Court has consequently asked Dr. Chiluba and his co accused, to defend themselves. Magistrate Jones Chinyama set the trial date for May 5. Chiluba denies any wrongdoing - "GOD is in control and I am ready to defend myself."

The former president is accused along with former Access Financial Services Chief Executive Officer, Faustine Kabwe and Managing Director, Aaron Chungu.

Dr. Chiluba and his co-accused are expected to start their defence at the next court hearing scheduled for May 5.

Principle Resident Magistrate, Jones Chinyama was satisfied that the prosecution has proved its case against Dr. Chiluba and his co accused beyond reasonable doubt.

Mr. Chinyama further said ledgers and other accounting documents admitted as evidence by the prosecution are conclusive and can not be easily dismissed.

Reactions from most members of the public reveal that they are beginning to wonder the seriousness of the prosecutors in bringing the case to a close. With the turn of events being what they have been for so long (seven years now), a second look at the Chiluba fiasco brings into question whether what we have here is a  systematic exposition of an abstract political theory aimed at the vilification of the accused.

Swiss boutique

 Dr. Chiluba had a global reputation as a "smart and expensive dresser", with his "FJT" monogram on shirts and suits and specially made shoes with high heels.

He officially earned about $100,000 while in power from 1991-2001 and yet he paid an exclusive boutique shop in Switzerland $1.2m. This was at a time when the vast majority of Zambians were struggling to live on $1 a day and many could not afford more than one meal a day.

Two years ago, he was furious when hundreds of his designer suits, shirts and shoes were seized from a warehouse where he had stored them.

"What they have done is to bring my underpants out to the general public," Dr. Chiluba told reporters.