Mwinilunga West Member of Parliament (MP), Elijah Muchima, has threatened to spill the beans if council officials at Mwinilnga District Council continue to defraud government of huge sums of money at the expense of development.
The visibly annoyed Muchima intercepted a K1.5 million cheque from the council as
inducement to a named auditor from the Ministry of Local Government and Housing
Headquarters in Lusaka.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, Mr. Muchima called for a
complete overhaul for council personnel if there could be sanity at the local
authrity.
Mr. Muchima, who is also Community Develoment and Social services Deputy Minister,
said, due to rampant finacial scandals, Mwinilunga District Council is owing its
workers a 23-month non-payment of salary.
Mr. Muchima, who himself is a Councillor as Local Government Act stipulates, pointed
out that he should be invited and to attend any Full Council Meetings.
He aleged that the council has a tendancy of avoiding to invite other councillors
from far flung areas.
He warned that officials at the council should strive to engage in viable income
generating ventures and desist from eyeing Constutuency Development Fund (CDF) among
other funds released by government.
“Yes, Mwinilunga council needs to be cleaned because there are serious financial
scandals. There is no transparency there. It needs to be cleaned up so soon as
possible.
“On August 21, I incepted a K1.5 million cheque to be paid to an auditor because I
could not clearly understand the payment, therefore, as I am concerned the payment
remains blocked,” Mr. Muchima lamented.
Typical zambian scenario, are we ever going to change? Corruptin is the very air we breath. it seems as though it’s in our genes. Why can’t we enforce long prison terms and penalties for people like these.
Its all about people getting to know what they need and working with the government. its not about the government working for the people. It should be the people to run the government and not the government running the affairs and needs of the people. Thats why such activities may never come to and end. Its like people do not know what the government/council is doing, therefore they few appointed in authority tend to take advantantage of such a gap. it is such a sad situation. Those in authority should learn to be faithfull and and serve the people and not servicing themselves.
As stated the source of this corruption is Lusaka. Sounds to me that the MP was just not given any ‘cut’. He lives in Lusaka yet wants to attend routine meetings in Mwinilunga. Financial scandals cant cause 23 month salary overload. Give rural areas the more resources that they deserve.
There’s truth in that Francis.
This Muchima seems just another “spoilt brat, throwing his toys out of the pram!!” How in whole honesty does he justify witholding the information he has if things are wrong? He HAS GROSSLY ABBROGATED HIS DUTIES, becoz as MP he should pursue what is right for his constiuency & NOT HIDING THIS INFORMATION! Who is he trying to protect? This is tantamount to OPEN BLACKMAIL! He should be cited on at least 2 counts: 1) BLACKMAIL; 2) CONNIVING BY DEFAULT WITH THOSE HE IS THREATENING!!!
If Muchima really uncovered the scam he should have reported to the relevant authorities for action.LPM is right to say his ministers and deputy ministers are very ignorant, and it is not only about the constitution.Remember the phrase “gov’t made simple” by Edith Nawakwi?
Muchima should not threaten to spill the bins if the situation does not improve. HE SHOULD SPILL THE BINS NOW by passing the info which he has to the police. Don’t protect amabwambu jeyi (your buddies).
Let muchima resign from the public office, for it is clearely seen that he is not fit. If the council has not paid the employees for 23 months, how are they making ends meat? with this kind of services do you think we win the figgt on corruption? Why not dissolve the council, and fire the Town clerk for falling to deliver, these guys have become liabitities to the country, just like former nchanga PF, member of parliment Chilumbwa.
Although I don’t see the connection between Muchima and Chimumbwa Iam very disappointed with the lack of principles and morality among most of our politicians.As a voter in Nchanga constituency I will definitely not waste my vote on this turncoat.When will they ever learn?
This Muchima guy should be arrested and charged with failure to perform his fiduciary duties, defeating the ends of justice and failure to report a crime. Besides, who knows, the chap was probably outsmarted on the deal.