By Henry Ngilazi Former Zambian President Frederick Chiluba was acquitted on Monday of all charges in what was seen as a landmark corruption case against an ex-African head of state. Zambia has earned praise from Western donors for cracking down on corruption, a policy that critics say is rare in Africa. While analysts say the ruling could be a setback for Zambia's fight against graft, it is unlikely to deter investors in Africa's biggest copper producer. Chiluba's co-accused, two business executives, were found guilty of theft and possession of state funds and were each imprisoned for three years. Lusaka magistrate Jones Chinyama said the prosecution team had failed to prove the case against Chiluba, who ruled Zambia for a decade after ousting liberation hero Kenneth Kaunda in multiparty elections in 1991. The former trade unionist turned politician, hailed as a democrat after helping to dismantle Kaunda's socialist single party rule which lasted 27 years, was charged with stealing nearly $500,000 of public funds. "I find that the accused is not guilty on all counts," Chinyama said. LANDMARK RULING In 2007, British judge Peter Smith ordered Chiluba to pay $58 million to the Zambian Treasury to compensate for money he was suspected of stealing while he was in office. The ruling, which was hailed as a turning point in Africa's battle against official corruption, was made in Britain after Zambian officials filed a civil case there hoping to recover properties and other assets owned by Chiluba and his associates in Britain and other European countries. In the past six years, Zambia has jailed several prominent figures under the rule of late president Levy Mwanawasa, including senior officials and ministers who served under Chiluba's 10-year administration, which ended in 2001. "Most people will think he was just forgiven, especially (given) that his (co-accused) were found guilty and this will complicate the fight against corruption. No one will take the fight seriously," said Jotham Momba, a professor of political science at the University of Zambia in Lusaka. "However, it will have no effect on investments because most investors care little about corruption, all they think about is to make profits." In 2002, Mwanawasa launched Zambia's largest anti-corruption crackdown since independence from Britain in 1964, targeting his predecessor Chiluba and former senior officials who served in the former president's administration. Chiluba still enjoys support from the poor despite the corruption case. He says he is the victim of a witch hunt. "Those who thought I am a thief should know now that that I am innocent. As a Christian nation we do not steal but the devil will accuse you of stealing," Chiluba told a news conference after the verdict was handed down. Chiluba's wife Regina was jailed for three and a half years in March for corruption. Source: Reuters