Federation of Free Trade Unions of Zambia (FFTUZ) president Joyce Nonde-Simukoko has said the plot scandal at LCC should serve as a wake-up call to Zambians who should scrutinise political leaders aspiring for national positions.
Ms Simukoko said the irregularities in plot allocations at the LCC were a clear indication that some PF cadres were aspiring for leadership to enrich themselves.
[pullquote]“The plot scam has created an impression that the PF is a party of greedy, selfish and corrupt leaders, and so the party must take some action on those named in the scam.[/pullquote]
She was reacting to the Ministry of Local Government and Housing suspension of the LCC following allegations of impropriety in the allocation of 102 plots at the Lilayi Housing Project where the councillors and MPs were alleged to have given themselves plots without following the right procedure.
The office of the mayor was allocated 10 plots while that of the deputy got five with claims that they would be distributed to members of the public, although the criterion to be used was not known.
PF Kanyama MP Gerry Chanda and his Madevu counterpart Jean Kapata also benefited from the plots.
“The plot scam has created an impression that the PF is a party of greedy, selfish and corrupt leaders, and so the party must take some action on those named in the scam.
[pullquote]“The problem in Zambia is that we don’t analyse and evaluate those aspiring for leadership. We only get excited when they tell us what we want to hear,” she said.[/pullquote]
“It has to do some house-sweeping or else people will believe that the party leadership is greedy,” she said.
Ms Simukoko said Zambians should not be excited by populist statements, but analyse and evaluate them before making decisions.
“The problem in Zambia is that we don’t analyse and evaluate those aspiring for leadership. We only get excited when they tell us what we want to hear,” she said.
She said the Zambian people would live to regret if they made wrong decisions by voting for populist leaders.
[Times of Zambia]
PF has mismanaged Lusaka, Copperbelt councils — UPND
THE UPND on the Copperbelt has said the Patriotic Front-controlled councils in Lusaka and Copperbelt provinces have been mismanaged.
UPND Copperbelt chairperson Elisha Matambo said in an interview yesterday that the Lusaka City Council and others on the Copperbelt falling within the ambit of the PF mandate had not performed to the expectations of citizens.
Mr Matambo said it was unfair for leaders to award themselves more plots than they were entitled to while denying other residents an opportunity to own land.
He urged the residents in Lusaka and the Copperbelt to reflect on the way the councils were being run in their towns.
Mr Matambo said Zambians in areas where the PF was controlling councils should in this year’s elections vote for the UPND for better management of the local authorities.
He said the ruling party had had a chance to run councils in Lusaka and the Copperbelt and it was, therefore, chance for the UPND to take over the affairs of the institutions.
Mr Matambo said illegalities in the allocation of plots were not prevalent in UPND-run councils.
And a UPND national management committee member has said PF president Michael Sata has finally killed the pact following his announcement that the opposition party would field parliamentary candidates in all the 150 constituencies.
Nonde you have lived your usefulness and the sooner you left the financial institutions the better. You are a let down to ZUFIAW. Bankers have been reduced to beggars due to your poor representation. You are just busy politicking. You are another useless Hikaumba and Liato who has failed the labor movement fraternity.
UPND deputy chairperson for economic affairs Edwin Simusamba said in Lusaka yesterday that the Zambian people would hold the PF responsible for the collapse of the pact.
“It is unfortunate that instead of responding to the issues that we raised as UPND, the PF has decided to go against the will of the people to kill the pact,” he said.
When contacted, PF spokesperson Given Lubinda refused to comment on the assertions by the UPND official.
“I have not said nor have I read such a statement attributed to Mr Sata. Unless I hear about it, I cannot comment,” Mr Lubinda said.
Addressing a public meeting in Northern Province last weekend, Mr Sata said the PF would field parliamentary candidates in all the constituencies country-wide.
UPND president Hakainde Hichilema last week confirmed that the two parties had been failing to work on a joint plan of action for the country.
The UPND has since set conditions for the continued existence of the pact, an idea the PF has frowned upon.
The issue of plot allotment is a national one and not exclusive to councils run by PF. The investigations have been called and we all want that they be extended to all councils across the nation.
Joyce, MMD has been around for 20yrs, take a look and you will be traumatized at how much dirt you will dig, sufficient to render you blind for the rest of life.
Iwe Chi mwata,#1 #2 etc the former Kalulushi Mayor an MMD cadre has got 3 residential plots and 2 commercial plots. The director of housing has got a number of plots both commercial and residential. What is your say? The current councillors MMD are swelling plots to intersted persons- if you go to apply, they will refer you to Mr. so and so who has a plot for sale.
I do not know what to say about the UPND leadership.They cannot read the letters on the wall written in black and white. Can’t they see that Sata is sure that he can win the elections on his own, but HH and his colleagues still keep on pleading for the existence of the pact. Or is it UPND which cannot survive without the PF? HH and his friends are merely embarassing themselves and telling us they can’t reason. Now I believe that HH is not presidential stuff.
HH should have listened to sages who freely counselled him. I wonder if he is able to see what am seeing.Once he falls to the ground, HH will never rise to the level he wanted to be. It is better he loses as HH not as a pact. He must let his image live on on the political scene. Can’t he see why Gen. Miyanda has continued using his image even when he knows he won’t make it. Leave the rabid dogs and their Post alone,HH; it’s not too late.
Good move it has been too much.
Nonde is not an employee of any bank and is dead scared of following after Mbulu. It’s now a matter of survival for her as she’s not employed by anyone.
Now if Mbulu could be asked to resign because he’s not an employee of any bank why shouldn’t Joyce Nonde Simukoko be asked the same question? It’s passed retirement mama, go the village now.
ba nonde should just shut up…she is getting free money…as far as we know she is a retiree and how the hell does a retiree be a union rep? the only thing she is representing is her pockets!
MMD will do anything to win this election, there has been many a scandals involving land with past and present member officer bearers. It’s a sham what this democracy has brought to our country, it should be about accountability but appears more about who stole more. Useless state of affairs, until us the electorate do something about it things won’t change. We have to change our mentality and try something totally different, there are other alternatives but year in year out we want the same people who’ve defected from other parties. Wake up Zambians we have other choices other than MMD PF UPND, lets scrutinise other parties and collective decide on which one promises a better future.
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Rizzo says- Very interesting and yet Liato wants to hound Mbulu from MUZ because he has lost his job at CM? These chaps can walk naked if RB told them to so.
well said Joyce..the last time you miselad your union members..this time around ..you have realised that PF is not the right party!
PF big let down.As usual i have known these bunch of MAFIAs
JOYCE, shut it up, as big as your eyes are , you can’t see how **** the country is,,,my Sister please!!!
Coming out in the open about your marriage has made you a better person and less loud mouthed am glad you getting quality time and better able to address issues…
Surprisingly this Joyce Simukoko Nonde only speaks out on the opposition issues, why? Has shee been bought by govt.
the last time she misled her union members to vote for old serpent sta..its good u ve realised that people have to choose leaders objectively and with open minds ..viva young generation..!!
If Joyce Nonde Simukoko is unemployed as reported,so like MUZ ray mbulu,she should step down immediately,since this lady has been championing for moral political standards?Tikamba mucinyanja ati “lelo chili pamunzako mawa chili pali iwe”.Amai Simukoko chokanipo pa u Union leader ndaba ndimwe lova?As for the PF run councils I agree with Elisha Matambo CBelt UPND strongman that PF run councils have been mismanaged.One of the MAJOR CAUSEs comes down to the caliber of PF councillors AND Members of Parliament.Don’t you wonder that their is mediocrity in both council chambers and the Nat Assy?Who “selects” these ‘representatives’?Who ever selects just shows lack of proper judgement and is/are also displaying their mediocrity.The opposition can’t hope to usurp MMD if those spearheading…
It is tragically laughable where some pf zealots are justifying plunder of LCC because,they claim,”mmd run councils are doing the same….”.Surely can any sane person,when caught red hande with stolen items,give such a fool hardy excuse?Does this mean that IF and a big IF(in view of recent happenings I doubt pf would win)they came to power,they would plunder Zambia big time?Sell all the remaining land since they’ve finished lusaka land,because,according to their morbid logic,”mmd has plundered ALSO!”If it wasn’t so tragic,I would laugh the loudest,but this the reasoning right from the very top of PF leadership.It is giving us chills,we shudder to think what would be the type of govt.Amin’s govt by comparison,would be a picnic!