POLICE have opened a docket against a Kabwe based contractor who is allegedly to have disappeared after being paid over K80,000 for the construction of boys ablution block at Mukashi basic school in Kabwe.
This follows District commissioner Patrick Chishala’s directive to institute investigations into a local firm who has disappeared before completing the works at the school.
Mr Chishala who was speaking in Kabwe yesterday said he was happy that a docket has been opened but asked the police to speed up the investigations and ensure justice is done.
Mr Chishala on Wednesday made an impromptu tour of Mukashi Basic school after receiving a complaint further took to task an official from Kabwe Municipal Council (KMC) for failing to establish the proper identity of the contractor whose company names are unknown but only identified as a Mr Chileshe.
He expressed sadness over the disappearance of the contractor who was awarded the contract and left the ablution block locked their by denying the authority access to check on the works done.
He said it was saddening that works which were supposed to be concluded and handed over to the school last year and ordered police to urgently ensure justice is done.
“As government we are not going to sit back and watch people failing to carry out works at an expense of delivery to the people because the government was interested in delivery of developmental projects, ”he said.
He further said he was not happy that, the council decided to sideline the District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) who were asked to stay away and not to interfere with works.
He said the move to sideline DEBS raises serious concerns because there are supposed to be partners in such operations as well as for checks and balances purposes.
He said he was happy that a docket has been opened but asked the police to speed up the investigations and ensure justice is done.
And Kawewe Chishiko from a planning department at the council who had difficulties in providing answers to the DC said the contractor was paid K86.480 out of the total sum of K87,000 but said his whereabouts were unknown.
And Headmistress at the school Jane Simwaka said contractor has not been at the site since last year and that he was tasked to construct 12 flushable toilets and two showers for boys at the school.
This is a big joke. How can money be paid to a purported contractor who is only known as a Mr. Chileshe? I think someone in the council is not telling the truth, I see some conniving here. Take the council authorities to task if possible recover the money from their salaries, people aught to be serious with work.
These are simple cases. Police lock up the accountant, anyone who signed on cheque, payment vouchers and go to the bank look at NRC for that chileshe and catch him.
Problems
1.0 Every one at council offices balilyamo
2.0 kakakakaka.
We are not serious most times, same thing in politics and other public services like the police. I dont expect politicians and leaders to be different because there are our fathers and mothers. This luck of seriousness is in our homes too. I strongly believe Sata is the same. We are a bunch of not serious people.
Its amazing that the contractor was appointed without some form of construction guarantee that the client can call in when the contractor abandons site . Lock up the Municipal officials for being silly!!!
That Chileshe must have signed some contract papers before he was given the money. Is the council saying they don’t have files for contracts? And why deny the DEBS knowledge of the proceedings.
This money must be Constituency Development Fund (CDF). Otherwise the money should have been under DEBS.
Ba Council Ubung’ooo
Since last year, and you only politicise this now – at least 11 months down the line! The contractor has died, and his brief case company has vanished. A Mr Chileshe for that matter – bwingi ba Chileshe muchalo! And why pay all that amount in advance of completion, before the final certificate, sure? Only in Zambia!
Mwa mona nomba, ba le bepesha ishina!! These guys just mention a name – in their best senses – COULD THEY NOT VERIFY THE IDENTITY OF THIS PERSON, eg ask for a Reg or Passport or Drivers license & KEEP PHOTO COPIES OF THE SAME?????
Just cage these thieves who think no better of maligning a name, & think they will get away with it!! It is a joke!!
Who released the full amount without completing the works?? Kudyamo!!!
The contractor will use the sheets to bribe the underpaid burras when they catch up with him.
pf style of doing things
This smells fishy in the least!
Mmmmm, he is probably a nephew to one of the council men/women.
Zambian contractors turn out to be a big disappointment almost always. And how do we expect to develop as a country with this kind of rotten attitude towards work and responsibility, both on the part of local contractors and their enablers in govt???
Chileshe! Typical!
all council management should be put to task and find money
Who can believe this sh.it? Thieving has become rampant in Zambia. Kind Cobra also is failing to discipline his cadres. Every day there making headlines. Its not the Sata we used to know in opposition.
Monkeys in the maize field feasting while hoodwinking the public of police opening docket for invisible contractor. If you cant even locate whereabouts of contractor how will you serve him that docket? Kaponyas! do they even know about ‘DOMICILE’ of a company? (A registered physical place where company has offices or place of operation) Mwe mbutushi mwe, UBUFI.