Ex-spy chief denies theft
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LUSAKA, Zambia (Reuters) -- Zambia's ex-intelligence chief and four former senior Treasury officials pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to fresh charges of fraud, corruption and vehicle theft in the country's widening anti-graft crackdown.
President Levy Mwanawasa has launched the southern African country's biggest corruption crackdown since independence from Britain in 1964. The probe has targeted former ruler Frederick Chiluba and senior officials who served in his government.
Former intelligence chief Xavier Chungu, his former deputy Yotam Zulu, former secretary to the Treasury Benjamin Mweene and another ex-Treasury official are jointly charged with theft of four tractors, fraud and corruption.
All four pleaded not guilty at Wednesday's hearing ahead of the trial opening on Friday. They were remanded in custody as vehicle theft is a non-bailable offence under Zambian law.
Chungu was acquitted in 2003 on a separate charge of vehicle theft.
Sacked auditor-general Fred Siame, charged with fraudulent false accounting and corruption, also pleaded not guilty and is on bail.
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