(AFP) – 8 hours ago

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hOYreJ2VkJXNjD1zeBZ4gxB43u_Q?docId=CNG.5ecbda1132f2622b919e251d461cca6c.91

LUSAKA — Zambian authorities on Wednesday seized two cars from the wife of opposition leader Michael Sata, in connection with money laundering allegations against her husband dating back to elections in 2008.

"The vehicles were brought to the Drug Enforcement Commission's headquarters this morning by Sata?s drivers and lawyers," said a statement from the DEC, which also investigates money-laundering.

Sata, the leader of the Patriotic Front (PF), was summoned twice last month over a 100,000 dollar (75,700 euro) bank transaction. He has not been charged.

The DEC said the cars seized from Sata's wife, Charity Kaseba, were worth the same sum and they were taken "in connection with the ongoing investigations involving the 100,000 dollar transaction at Finance Bank."

When Sata was questioned for the second time regarding the money laundering allegations his supporters took to the streets in protest, leading police to fire tear gas at them, raising the political temperature ahead of 2011 polls.

President Rupiah Banda, who won a tightly-fought contest against Sata in 2008, on Wednesday invited EU election monitors to observe the contest for which a date has yet to be set.

"Through your ambassador here in Zambia we are inviting your delegation to come and observe the elections next year," Banda, his party's sole candidate, told outgoing EU head of delegation Derek Fee.

"I can assure you that the elections will be peaceful, free and fair and transparent," he added.

Banda narrowly won the contest in 2008, claiming 41 percent of the vote to his rival's 39 percent.