Southern Province Minister Cornelius Mweetwa has given the Kalomo Town Council a 14 day ultimatum, to restore industrial harmony between themselves and the community, resulting from unfair allocation of land and dubious collection of revenue.
This comes after several complaints from the community, who have cited an unfair working culture from civic leaders and council officers.
ZANIS reports that Mr. Mweetwa who received petitions from the community members in Kalomo district, reiterated President Hakainde Hichilema’s call to fight corruption, warning that those who will be found erring in the matters raised will be on their own.
He says both civic leaders and council staff are there to provide service to the community and not to be selfish by owning large pieces of land regardless of the people that they serve.
“We are servants of the people, we are not masters”, Mr. Mweetwa emphasized.
He says the government won the elections on the premise of helping the people and not duping them.
Mr. Mweetwa wondered how plots could be sold by the council without being advertised and also councillors soliciting money from potential buyers.
“How can you sell plots without advertising, on top of that others are collecting money from people, that is shameful,” He said.
At the same meeting Mr. Mweetwa also called for discipline among UPND cadres who have become disrespectful of their elected leaders.
Mr. Mweetwa further added that plot allocation must not be dominated by cadres but the general populace.
Meanwhile, Kalomo town Council Chairperson Coy Makayi has assured the Minister that all matters raised will be dealt with within the stipulated time.
Mr. Makayi however said that most of the plots sold were on first come basis, noting that they were advertised on several media platforms.
“The plots in question were advertised, unless my officers lied to me that they advertised when not, but I will find out”, the Council Chairperson explained.
He assured that the allegations on corrupt officers and councillors will be among the issues to be investigated within the two week period given.
Since the 2016 constitutional amendment, councils are supposed to be independent of central government’s influence. We saw this when Miles Samba as mayor of Lusaka challenged his suspension, that didn’t go to court because they quickly reinstated him.
Mweetwa doesn’t have any powers to give ultimatums I would argue.
ALL COUNCILS IN THE SAME BOAT
KABWE COUNCIL I HEAR IS A LOT WORSE
THIS PLOT ISSUE SHOULD BE TAKEN AWAY OR MODIFIED