Outgoing FODEP Executive Director has revealed that a group of foreign donors sponsoring the organisation are responsible for this abrupt exist from the NGO.
And Mr Chipenzi has announced that he has resigned as Spokesman of the Grand Coalition on the Campaign for a New People Driven Constitution in Zambia with effect from Tuesday, 23rd February 2016.
He disclosed that some donors asked him to vacate his post after allegations that about 45,000 pounds had not been accounted for.
Mr Chipenzi said the donors exerted pressure on the FODEP board to push him out of the organisation which he has served for eight years.
He was speaking on Monday when he featured on Joy FM’s Platform radio programme.
“You see it is unfortunate when foreign interests seem to dictate how organisations can run or who should serve in those organisations. I was pushed out of my seat by some donors who felt that about 45,000 pounds could not be accounted for and they prevailed over the board and they asked me to step down,” Mr Chipenzi explained.
He however explained that he will continue speaking for the voice of the voiceless on key governance issues in Zambia.
And in a statement released on Tuesday, Mr Chipenzi reiterated that he will remain committed to the two causes namely reform of the NGO Act No. 16 of 2009 and campaign for a new people driven constitution and enactment of the expanded Bill of Rights.
“In this regard, I wish to ask government to be clear on and share the road map with regard the national referendum on the Bill of Rights. Many people are in the dark with regards this process and government is approaching the matter with “I don’t care attitude”. Further, I will continue to fight for an enabling operating environment for civil society and NGOs in Zambia,” he said.
“In this regard, I urge all civil society in Zambia to continue with the campaign for a user friendly NGO Act and support the current reform efforts to the draconian NGO Act No. 16 of 2009 while casting an eagle’s eye on the process. I want to thank all colleagues and Zambians for the support rendered during my tenure as Spokesperson and Vice-Chairperson of the Grand Coalition and Council of NGOs respectively.”
Shamwali learn to take responsibilit when your own dangerous incompetency and greediness wreck you up int o irrelevancy. You failed the spirit of civil society with your insatiable appetite of appeasing your political party.
Mr Chpenzi, can you tell us what happened to 45,000 Pounds? The donors were right in kicking you out. Dont expect any sympathy from me, you mismanaged (stole) the money. What voice for the poor when you cant even account for 45,000 Pounds ($62,869.26 USD or 715,483.64 ZMW).
Mr Chipenzi, can you tell us what happened to 45,000 Pounds? The donors were right in kicking you out. Dont expect any sympathy from me, you mismanaged (stole) the money. What voice for the poor when you cant even account for 45,000 Pounds ($62,869.26 USD or 715,483.64 ZMW).
apologies for duplicate…
Uyu mambala Chimpanzee, he wants to cheat us that he will continue to speak for the voiceless when he is driven by the plunder of donor money. Kachiteni sort out kamambala, kazakamba kusogolo.
all that money and all you managed to do was to build that toilet of a house in kafue?
@Senior Citizen you seem to speak sensibly these days! As for this Chipenzi chap I agree people must take responsibility for their inaction or misdemeanors (in this case an unaccounted for GB£45,000).
OF COURSE HERE WESTERN DONORS DON’T TAKE IT KINDLY, MESSING ABOUT TAX-PAYERS’ MONEY. TAX PAYERS PUT THEM TO TASK NGOs DON’T ACCOUNT FOR CERTAIN AMOUNTS OF MONEY OR MONIES. SO, WHAT HAPPENED TO THE $45,000 USD.
@ Peter
45,000 GBP and not USD
You misplaced your priorities by taking responsibility of your political party instead of the civil society. Where you expecting donors to keep funding your party covertly when you are a certified careless political cadre?
“He who pays the piper calls the tune”.
Exactly my words after reading the article.
Chipenzi. You can’t claim foreigners are dictating when in the first place you are saying accounting for “Pounds.” Are Pounds Zambian? Which Zambia institution gave you those pounds?
“He who pays the piper, dude, calls the tune”
I like this Chipenzi guy’s attitude. He sounds very straight forward without looking for excuses or seeking sympathies.
Chipenzi must be grateful to donors because he is not the object of court action. The sum of 45,000 British Pounds Sterling is a lot of money. He must keep quiet otherwise the court proceedings will become inevitable. The money went missing because he had stayed in the hot seat for too long. he lost touch with reality. He could not distinguish between personal opinion and corporate position on matters bordering on national security and territorial integrity. At the same time, he was presumptuous about Western democracy. In Western democracy what matters are two points. First, is it true or false? Evidence through science and technology or through eye witness account alone is the basis of truth in the West. Second, put corporate interest first. Some Westerners are foolish but the West is…
Mr. Chipenzi these are the owners of the money. they call the shorts. Or you wanted to put an injunction ( something Zambians are used now) against them when they see their money wasted. as the other blogger said, donors are serious with tax payers money. You didn’t even answer if you intend to the prove that the money was not lost with proper accounts not the cooked books. You go to beg for their money when they put conditions they are bad. its time u concentrated on the MP seat u want
Awe nafipombana Ba Chipenzi, just be man enough and announce your UPND membership. This will encourage other NGO leaders to come out in the open as well regarding their political interests
He is a man of integrity.
impupu,you not even ashamed,ati they asked to step down,acc or whatever takeover and wire the thief, why everytime money is lost through such thefts
This is a upnd thug who is aspiring to stand in siamunene constituency.
So the I.d.I.o.t stole £45,000 and he now want to become an MP? in Zambia thiefs are heros
He was just following example set by humble leader……………………..
This is why most organisation in Zambia…people with no moral fibre…they seem to think its normal to live without being transparent and accountable.
Nanga nindalama zaanyoko
Donors are justified in demanding accountability and transparency. If you continue to attack donors in this way, then the only alternative is to take you to court to answer charges of fraudulent accounting, misappropriation of funds or theft by servant. Donors generally mean well. You are duty bound to be sincere and faithful. At the same time, you must professional and ethical in your conduct. You lost touch with reality because you stayed for too long at FODEP.
You are very lucky Mr Chipenzi. You should have been behind bars. You are the guys tarnishing our image. Some foreigners believe that we are incapable of being accountable.
That’s the nature of people who supports HH. First you need to take advantage of your job by stealing money. Who knows maybe when you decide to inherite upnd People may worship you as a richest man. Am not surprised with chipenzi.
You are wrong, Mr. Chipenzi was just following example of our humble, visionary and anointed dear leader. You newer know, it may be first step towards Plot No. 1.
It has happened before………………
Mwakabba mali yaba zungu mudaala, shame!!!
*****!
Mr Chipenzi is aware that donors money is not cheap like Zambia’s money without accountability.
Compare it with Kambwili’s huge sums of money for youths given to parading youths projects without any accountability last year throughout Zambia. Ask him what youths projects exist today, he will yawn like a baboon. Donors want to know what tangible results their money tranlated into upon its expenditure. Transparency and accountability to Zambians is allien which makes us variance with a progressive world. Only change of leadership can change values of work culture and attitude to being accountable to ourselves.
So who embezzled the 45,000 pounds Mr. Chipenzi? This may require govt to come in and do a through investigation of FODEP activities since its also rumoured that FODEP funds the activities of UPND and which donors would allow that
He should be made accountable, let DEC and ACC take up this issue. Has Maureen Mwanawasa Kakubo paid back the money she stole from Global Fund using her NGO MMCI?
Chipenzi, you have been more a political figure than a FODEP leader! Can you just keep quite and work in the political party whose agenda you have been pushing forward! You cannot serve two masters at the same time. The way is now open for you to eye for the Chikankata parliamentary seat if at all you will make it. Donors have not pushed you out of FODEP, in fact they are even kind to leave you walking freely without commencing court proceedings for their money that has gone unaccounted for.
This is the more reason why the govt wanted to amend the NGO act to make these pipo disclose their source of funding and let their books of accounts be audited.Most of these guys hide in these NGOs to do all sorts of criminal activities without being detected. Chipenzi is not the only one they are plenty out there and they shout the loudest when comes to condemnig govt.