Leaders of third-world countries are often suspect of being corrupt. Zambia has long-suffered from corrupt dictators. Rupiah Banda was no exception.

Zambia’s Minster of Home Affairs Kennedy Sakeni says the corruption of Frederick Chiluba's 10-year-rule is a joke when compared with the theft of public resources in just three years of Rupiah Banda's government.

Sakeni said everything in Banda's administration stinks and Banda was free for now because of his immunity from prosecution.

In a comic twist, Sakeni advised Banda against seeking public sympathy.

In response to former ministers in the Banda administration that ruled between 2008 and 2011 who are accusing the PF government of witch-hunting over the probes being carried out on officials suspected to have abused their offices or stolen public resources, Sakeni said there was no witch-hunt and urged all suspects and witnesses to cooperate with investigators.

"The Chiluba years of plunder is just a joke when you compare with Banda's three-year plunder. The period of three years and the period of 10 years, the difference is just massive and big," Sakeni said. "Mr Banda presided over a massive plunder of resources; it was actually a free for all - you know some of the deals they were entering into like the sale of Zamtel, the award of tenders; everything is stinking about our former colleagues."

Like most Zambian Presidents (aka dictators) President Banda had promised take a robust anti-corruption stance when he came into power but many see him as having faltered in that regard.

Several former leaders in Banda's regime are being investigated for various corruption related offences.

The Drug Enforcement Commission is also investigating to establish the source of the US $1 million (about K5 billion) held in a commercial bank account by Mpundu Trust, which is linked to Banda.

There are also investigations involving Banda's acquisition of luxury villas located on Leopards Hill Road, his role in the acquisition of scanners for the Zambia Revenue Authority, Zambia's selling of gold among others

Is this surprising? Sad, but definitely not surprising. In fact it might be expected behavior from an African head of state.