Four councillors at the Kalulushi Municipal Council on the Copperbelt have been suspended for using abusive language during the full council meeting.
Council Assistant Public Relations Manager Lidah Kamanga said this in a press statement released to ZANIS yesterday.
Ms Kamanga said the four councillors namely, Febby Simwanza of Lulamba ward, Maureen Mwape of Lukoshi ward, David Kapeso of Ngweshi ward and Modestor Kabwe of Twaiteka ward.
She explained that the four councillors were suspended during an extraordinary meeting held on September 29, 2020 for unruly conduct during a meeting held on June 19, 2020, while councillor Clement Njobvu was reprimanded.
Ms Kamanga said following this disorderly behavior, the council at its ordinary meeting held on July 24, 2020 constituted an ad-hoc committee in accordance with paragraph 14 of the councillors code of ethics enshrined in the local government Act No. 2 of 2019 in order to investigate the cause.
She further explained that the ad-hoc committee set out to investigate the matter and invited the five councillors to the case hearing on August 5 , 2020 to give them an opportunity to be heard in order to fulfill the requirements of natural justice.
Ms Kamanga noted that unfortunately, only councillor Clement Njobvu appeared before the ad-hoc committee on that date and the rest of the councillors refused to appear before the committee citing various unjustifiable reasons.
She said the findings of the committee established that the councillors breached the provisions of the councillors code of conduct and the committee came up with various recommendations against each councilor with corresponding penalties as prescribed in the Act and in accordance with the gravity of the offence committed.
She explained that councilor Febby Simwanza has been suspended for 6 months for violent behavior and use of abusive language in a meeting.
She said the other three councillors have been suspended for 2 months for use of abusive language in a meeting.
Meanwhile, Ms Kamanga has said that councilor Clement Njobvu was reprimanded for the offence of dishonest and unethical behavior during the meeting.
Kalulushi has 1 Constituency and 22 Wards. When it receives the K1.6M annual CDF, it’s like each Ward receives a paltry K72,700. What developmental projects can a councilor execute in such an amount? This is what’s causing problems in these small councils. Kalulushi is very divided. There’s a serious fight between the MP and the Mayor, the DC is also pushing in another direction. Each councilor is now an authority on everything. They insult each other on social media now they’ve taken it to the Chamber! You’ll soon face the people in elections. There are even reports of witchcraft attacks at the council. My Lord, what kind of people are these? The PF must not readopt the current crop of leaders including the MP so that they learn a lesson
Everything about Zambian has the hallmarks of thuggery, mafiaso thieving & extortion, ignorance, superstition and outright village mentality. Scam of the earth!
Very good development. We do not condone uncivilized behaviour. Such behaviour is more accepted in the upnd where they lack manners and decorum
@Bashi Chite – I hear you, but some of us are from villages… and that’s not our mentality! We also don’t like what’s going on
When are some people suspending the person who used the “C” at a public rally in front of women, children and elderly people? Whoever advised him that he will look gangster by insulting the bemba in their own language in their land needs to be fired.
Zambian news reporters are like cooks who vowed never to add salt to relish! This story is as bland as that; fish without salt! no details on why those councilors used abusive language, not even mentioning what prompted them or whether the language consisted of expletives peppered with four-letter words, NOTHING! If this is what journalists are trained to do, then I’m glad I’m a research scientist; no accolades and keeping up of fake appearances and plastic smiles, but I at least deal with the truth in its naked and raw form!