20110104
reuters

The master minder of Zambia's 1997 attempted coup Captain Stephen Lungu, alias Captain Solo, has met Frederick Chiluba - the man whose government he wanted to overthrow and apologised. Captain Lungu was given a presidential pardon last Wednesday after serving 13 years in jail. He met former president Chiluba in Lusaka and begged for forgiveness.

“I don’t know how I can describe that act...Mr. President, I am really, really sorry it is because I didn’t know God,” Captain Lungu who was clad in a grey suit confessed to Zambia’s second president.

Captain Lungu said they were other soldiers still serving their sentences and asked Dr. Chiluba to talk to incumbent President, Rupiah Banda so they could also be released.

“They had nothing to do about this issue it was me,” he said.”It is my prayer and request that those especially the recruits who still have the energy to serve in the army can be restored. Let those who have finished their sentences be discharged honourably. Let everything be bound on me, sir. There is nothing i can do but to put all to God who forgives.”

Captain Lungu who still looks very energetic said his future will be determined by God. He recounted that the events of October 27 and 28, 1997, were driven by an evil force which he could not resist. He said the attempted coup was not even adequately planned before it was executed.

And Dr. Chiluba who looked very jovial described the event as the work of God. The former president said he had unreservedly forgiven Captain Lungu.

“I in the name of Jesus do not only welcome you to our home, I forgive you from the very bottom of my heart,” Dr. Chiluba said. At this point Captain Lungu rose from his chair he sat next to Chiluba raising his hands and said, “glory be to God.”
The people clapped.

Dr Chiluba added, “If the lord has found fit to release you who are we to still hold you?”

He thanked President Banda for releasing captain Lungu a steep he describes as promoting unit and reconciliation in the country.

Captain Lungu’s death sentence had been commuted to a 20-year prison term by President Mwanawasa, which he was serving at the time of his release and was due to walk to freedom at the end of this February.

He is currently being kept by a Lusaka pastor.

He said during a church service at Pentecostal Holiness Church at Christ Prison Community Service Centre in Lusaka East on January, that he is grateful to President Banda and his government for releasing him from prison.

Mr Lungu, who quoted several verses from the Bible, said now that he is out of prison , he would like to meet former President Frederick Chiluba , who was ruling at the time, to tender his apology.