THE Kitwe City Council (KCC) has with immediate effect withdrawn Kitwe mayor Elias Kamanga’s official vehicle because he has allegedly been using it for personal and political errands.
And MMD Copperbelt Task Force chairman Joe Malanji has reported Mr Kamanga to the police for alleged theft for refuelling Patrick Mwanawasa’s vehicle with 73.4 litres of petrol worth K635,000 on a council account.
Kitwe town clerk David Kabanda confirmed in an interview in Kitwe yesterday that KCC management has withdrawn Mr Kamanga’s official mayoral vehicle.
According to a letter dated July 11, 2011, addressed to Mr Kamanga, Mr Kabanda said the mayoral vehicle is only supposed to be used on restricted official functions.
Mr Kabanda said concerned residents are disappointed with the manner Mr Kamanga is abusing his official vehicle.
“On the 29th June, 2011, you used the mayoral vehicle for purpose of attending a political function at Edinburgh Hotel organised by Dr Mbita Chitala and Mike Mulongoti. On the same date, you used the mayoral vehicle on a political errand at Radio Ichengelo,” Mr Kabanda said in his letter to Mr Kamanga.
He said Mr Kamanga went to Kitwe Little Theatre last Friday around 21:00 hours using the mayoral vehicle when there was no official council assignment there.
“That the vehicle was seen at a rally in Mpongwe district, addressed by the Patriotic Front (PF) secretary-general Wynter Kabimba on Saturday 9 July, 2011. Other than these allegations, I have received an adverse report which has also been verified from our records as attached receipt number 42046 that you personally went to Trade Rica Filling Station and issued 73.4 litres of fuel to a private vehicle allegedly belonging to Patrick Mwanawasa,” the letter reads.
Mr Kabanda said Mr Kamanga allegedly signed the receipt after his driver and the council police officer assigned to him refused to do so.
“To this end, and given the seriousness of the allegations levelled against your office, it has been decided that in order to protect the integrity of the office of mayor, the mayoral vehicle be withdrawn with immediate effect.
“However, in exceptional cases only, the vehicle may be availed to you when there is an official civic function that may require your attendance,” the letter reads in part
And Mr Malanji said at a press briefing in Kitwe yesterday he has reported the matter to the police and Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for alleged theft and illegal land transactions.
“The mayoral vehicle is used like a utility vehicle. He uses it on personal and political errands. It is unfortunate that Mr Kamanga gave council fuel to Patrick Mwanawasa, a person who does not work for the council. He was also distributing PF T-shirts in Mulenga township using the mayoral vehicle,” he said.
He said the MMD on the Copperbelt is disappointed that some councillors in Kitwe are allegedly illegally allocating plots to people.
Mr Malanji warned the councillors against frustrating Government programmes meant to develop the communities.
“I reported him to Riverside police station for theft. Mr Kamanga is also involved in illegal land allocation without following procedure, and he intimidates workers at the council and calls them chaps,” Mr Malanji said.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
What do you expect from PF councillors it’s a tradition to steal and do scandals from Lusaka to Copperbelt and this kamanga is a Bemba chap you are adding the list of thieves from ftj,musonda,mandandi,lately,musonda zanaco etc. N way do it MMD also uses GRZ vehicles for political issues
It’s a good move only I know its been taken because he is PF. Extend the same good manners to cabinet ministers who abuse their ministerial vehicles and privaledges for party and personal errands.
This is serious enough to demand for his resignation. If this man was a mayor in the West, he would have resigned on his own accord. This man is doing nothing in Kitwe. Look at the photo above. I have seen the city centre with my own eyes and it is pathetic. Shame on the mayor.
is mmd not using tax payers money to campaign? is mmd not using tax payers money for their childish and foolish propagandas such as “stand up for zambia” ? i really can,t wait for elections so that we can send some pipo to their farms and restore sanity in this country . Zambians are tired of this nonsenses by the finished and corrupt mmd.
Double standards bapungwa….MMD coucillors are doing the same everywhere so all should be reported to nearest police stations including Joe Malanje…MaRubbish Bins…
this is victimisation by mmd. Dora has been distributing porn using her ministerial car and the first lady was distributing campaign material using gornverment machinery. Anyway it could be precedece setting. because soon all the plunderers will be made to answer for their misgivings
PF at work.vote for these thugs at your own risk.
Just how much is 73.4litres furl – (K500,000/-), i.e $100/-. Spare us the Jokes. Is Siliya using her personal vehicle in Kitwe durng these campaigns, ANSWER is a straight NO. This STUPIDI’TY needs to come to an end. Stop this rot MMD, you’ve been a waste of our time and resources. KUYABEBELEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Joe Malanji should not get involved in this issue. Just wait when a new government comes in how much worms this guy’s can contains. It is a bad habit that as long as you are MMD you can s- h- it any where without being arrested. What facking tusk force is this embecile leading.
Patrick Mwanawasa has no money, the boy can not even buy gas for the car, he joined politics for money. We will see how he will manage to do campaigns on donated fuel.
And this PF Mayor is useless, this is why it is a blessing to the nation for not having PF in power, can you imagine what they would be doing of they were ruling?
Joe malanje! What trash from a disgraced individual! Joe is in sand castle. Lets see what will become of him after RB IS BACK AT HIS FARM in October.
Where is your accounting Firm and what did you do?
thieves will always be thieves.dont you ever trust pf politicians,they are worse than wolves.
Double standards tata everything is double double. Do unto others as you would like them do unto you.
Kamanga mayor has of late become big headede. The other time i saw him oh t.v intimidating some1 and telling him that it is only the mayor -him that gives land in kitwe. The boy is only a grade 12 failure and giving him that position of mayor has made him become big headeded. Any way, what good things can come from PF?
mmd act only if is oppostions if was mmd even police could not accept to go there
it a good sign Levy did not steal money and to the family like RB and Chiluba that why need help from well wishers
PF will fail to fight corruption because ALL those convicts like Mmmebe and others with criminal records are finding solace in Sata and PF and shld PF form gvt, they will be forgiven
MMD has scraped out the abuse of office clause from the ACC Act but for them to see the oposition PF Mayor of use the official car for party activities on the CB it is abuse of office. It is not abuse of office by Dora to use GRZ vehicles/trucks and buses to ferry cadres in the same province. Shame pa zed
10 Mashimba – Why bother about a speck in another man’s but ignore a log in your eye
# 1 OCTOPUS PAUL BWALYA. You can not even find a name to use from your village. Are you ashamed of your tribe?
Patrick mwanawasa is just a sh-i-t boy. He has failed to complete school. Sata called his late father a CABBAGE and there he is dating PF. I salute Maureen who has concentrated on her blood and biological kids.
By the can Joe Malanji go to Kalulushi and see how the MMD councillors are abusing council facilities including vehicles
TheMMD Councillors in Kalulushi use council vehicle moving from bar to bar with cheap tumaules, Chibuluma to Chambishi, back to Kalulushi. Why let them go scot free. And who has powers? The Town Clerk or the Mayor? Come on Malanji be sensible.
Don’t worry mate, you will still be Mayor or even better after elections, your sacrifice & current suffering hasn’t gone unnoticed, at least you are a MAN WHO HAS STOOD UP TO BE COUNTED!!!!
All this is petty politics, there are issues of greater importance to attend to.
A little suspect because he was helping patrick.This should be applied to all the stake holders govt.blow out of proportion.
Kitwe’s Town center. why are we being subjected to these unrelated pictures.
why not show Patrick,Mayor or Mayor’s car,LT still operating in the stone age.
MMD desperation. Were is william banda getting fuel money from to harrass Zambians ? From GRZ of course.
This Mashimba is a fu.cking retard who claims he is educated. Education is of no use when you cannot articulate issues. You fu.cking, well know what PF will do when they take over government>> Put paid to the rot that MMD is causing. It clear as the sky that MMD and there master Ru.Bish have have turned our country upside down. Why woulld a right thinking person support a bunch of peasants out to auction off a country and all it resources.
this is rubbish coming from MMD this time u are going…no one in their rightful mind is going to Vote for MMD unless they are sick and they suffer from acute thinking deficiency.This is rubbish to grab a wreck from the the mayor when the same Mayor actually refused to buy him a new car worth K250MILLION Opting to buy a grader.MMD is a desperate party that is on its way out this year…PF we can’t wait to VOTE U GUYS…Patric Mwanawasa may be broke but this is the legacy that his Father left.Mwanawasa never stole for his family like others are doing giving their sons to do dubious business with Government… the council is being malicious…
Kamanga boyi again tukalanwafye bonse ku ndeke village pa guzzlers and pa sabitch, bt not to worry u will be getting lifts from us AGAIN. And those plots you were giving at ndeke village market and area between zcbc and fire brigate opposite mazuzyo…i just hope the people who bought them wont be inconvinienced since am sure they will be grabbed
The allegation of refuelling a vehicle that is not entitled or covered under the provisions of the Council rules and regulations is indeed a serious offence and should take its logical course. However, the nosense of wanting the Mayor to travel to any meeting or function that is not related to Civic matters of Kitwe in his personal vehicle is utter rubbish. At what time does he cease to be Mayor once elected and still within the term of office? The answer is “he remains Mayor at all times until his term of office is officially over or curtailed by the provision of the Local Government rules and regulations. In this regard the perosnal to holder vehicle should be availed to the office holder at all times. This is simply witch hunting. Town Clerk you are failing your duty
I think u have a point there. Isn’t this what we see cabinet minister do all over the country?
Elias Kamanga is a friend who has made his way to authority through a hard way. Having completed school at Ndeke High School in 1994 he is a great debator, a great poet, a great News Writer and all these he is just God given than you chaps who have spent years and years craming. I have personally known him as someone who has intergrity and very soon he is standing as the closest competitior to the incumbent MP, Micheal Nyirenda PF rebel who is now dating MMD. He is a true compatriot who has been arrested, person at the tender age is a Mayor of a City and watch this space for him. A lot of his friends look to him and he is a seniour member in PF.
now Pat has started becoming popular…………good job……pa bwatoooo…:d:):d:):”>
We should also stop see GRZ vehicles at MMD rallies, night clubs, weekend and after 18 as stipulated in the law, chiwamina galu kuluma mbuzi not mbuzi kuluma galu
Government ministers are also abusing their Ministerial vehicles, using them for campaigns, they set the precedent so what do you expect?
Please bifi colour, just leave the mayor alone and give him back his vehicle IMMEDIATELY. Start by grabbing vehicles from cabinet ministers who are busy runnining their asses around campaigning using our tax money. PLEASE get this massage very seriously or else we will teach you a lesson with the balot.
Stupidity at its worst. The ministers are busy using government mv on MMD errands. Am not saying its right but lets be fair. Double standards will lead us nowhere
EVEN GOVERMENT VEHICLES ARE BEING USED FOR THE SAME,TODAY I SAW A HOSPITAL AMBULANCE PICKING UP A CHILD AT A PRIVATE SCHOOL HERE ON THE COPPERBELT.HOW MANY MINISTERS ABUSE THESE VEHICLE FREELY AND OPENLY.CHIWAMINA GARU.
Ubupuba pa Zambia! That vehicle is his personal to holder and he can do what he likes. How do you know whether he intends to repay the ka 500,000? Silly chaps!
Not deserving as a news item!
PF supporters saying MMD is abusing government vehicles and so PF mayor should do the same…..tell me why then should people vote for you if all you intend to do is ape what the current ruling party is doing? What then is the difference between you and the MMD? If you can abuse resources in the opposition, what are you capable of doing when you become the ruling party?
SATANISTS have been trapped and let the SERPENT say something on this one. Hahahahahaahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
every dog has its day, today its joe malanji tomorrow kamanga
I think there is a case for arresting Patrick here. How did he refuel his private car at the council?
Ba Mayor Kamanga,that is an embarrassment! You are a civic leader and not a political cadre by virtue of your office.Mwatusebanya fwe bamishiba
You Kaponyas should understand that a mayor is never a FULL TIME JOB.it is merely ceremonial.At the core of it is that the person is a Councillor.It is therefore important to read what are the mayor’s entitlement as regards use of mayoral transport.Fortunately,Kitwe City Council clarified this issue that the mayor can only use the official transport on official engagements.Probably what made matters worse was the use of council funds to fill a vehicle not entitled to council fuel.As has been stated both the Council driver and the mayor’s aide de camp refused to sign the fuel invoice for obvious reasons.
Im in Kitwe and Dora Siliya is using a government vehicle to campaign. Why shouldnt Kamanga do the same??? Ba MMD poor double standards people are well informed so your rubish wont stick, period. I have already decided who will vote for. Mud smear campaigns will not do!!!
It’s fifty/fifty…..now ni donchi kubeba plz..
What was dolla Silliya doing in Kitwe with the Ministerial car? Was she not Campaiging? Have you withdrawan the ministerial car and reported her to the Police and ACC? ciwamina galu ka?
Conditions of employment differ, between cabinet ministers and part-time councillors
Ya! It dosnt make any sense. This man refused to be offered a brandy new vehicle and opted 4 grader 2 grade poor roads in Kitwe. Anyway what morality has Malanji when we know he wanted to grab a contract to build a clinic in Kitwe.Shame on u thief
Just after reading the first few bloggs, i knew pa fwaka would counter react. whether MMD is also abusing the previlages is beyond the point. Two wrongs dont make a right. Thats why we need true change not these recycled people you call leaders. The west is recycling bottles and papers, Zambia is busy recycling leaders.
Very interesting! MMD cabinet ministers are also culprits. Bakolwe basekana ifipato! One can highly talk about this matter since it is in another camp. Zambians let’s be critical and fair the way we make comments on such issues.
My major concern is the indiscriminate manner in which plots are allocated to friends, relatives and party cadres. How about us who are not connected, what happens? This practice must be nipped in the bud because if left unchecked, Zambia will not develop. We are all Zambians and we all desire to own property and land. Things must be done in a transparent manner for fairness to prevail. It doesnt matter which party is in government, land is a vital resource and it belongs to all Zambians. We all must have an equal chance of owning land where possible. Do not use underhand methods.
Advantage of incumbency. MMD can do what want and there won’ be a care in the world by themselves who are police, judge and jury. I am to sure most ministers used their own personal car to go the the MMD convention and they are honest enough to abandon GRZ vehicle each time they are not on official duties. Great!!
Is that Kitwe city center? waw!! no further comment.
This is the kind of games that makes us and keeps us poor.When the rich British are cutting usage of official PM plane and opting for commercial flights to save taxpayers money its when poor Africa is ramping up wastage.The mayor of my city here in US drives himself and has no police escort so all taxes go to tarr the roads or improve drainage.Surely God is right to give more to those who use what He gives more responsibly and less to us who deserve less.