Rupiah Banda has again been blocked from leaving the country, pending corruption charges brought against him.
Zambia’s ex-president Rupiah Banda has been blocked from leaving the country but says he is unfazed by his “persecution”.
Zambian immigration authorities on Friday prevented the 76-year-old from leaving the country for the third time in nearly two months, sparking widespread criticism from activists.
“No, no I am not heart broken by these persecutions and I have to be strong,” Banda told the AFP news agency.
Banda, who is fighting corruption charges, was stopped from boarding a flight to South Africa despite a High Court order releasing his passport.
A raft of criminal charges were brought against him by his successor’s administration led by Michael Sata which took office in September 2011.
Banda was stripped of diplomatic immunity in February and has been appearing in court on several corruption charges.