LUANDA, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Officials from Angola's Central Bank and Finance Ministry have illegally transferred money abroad, prosecutors said on Wednesday, promising to recover the missing funds.
The statement from the Attorney General's office was short on details and did not say how many officials were involved, how much money had been allegedly stolen or when charges might be expected.
The announcement came just days after President Jose Eduardo dos Santos said the ruling MPLA party had been timid in its fight against corruption and called on its members to implement a "zero tolerance" policy on corruption. [ID:nLL75727]
"The attorney general's office, in coordination with other competent authorities, will carry out efforts to clarify these facts, considered to be illicit and criminal, and will return the money taken from the national treasury," the statement from the Attorney General's office said.
"It will present the alleged authors of these illicit acts to court," it said.
Angola ranks among the world's 18 most corrupt nations, according to Transparency International. (Reporting by Henrique Almeida; Editing by Jon Boyle) ((Reuters messaging: henrique.almeida.reuters.com@reuters.net; email: henrique.almeida@reuters.com; tel 244 912 304 020)) (For more Africa cover visit: http://af.reuters.com -- To comment on this story email: SouthAfrica.Newsroom@reuters.com)