Mukubwe Ward Development Committee (WDC) Vice Chairperson, Abioud Nyansho says he is living in fear for his life following an uproar with community members over the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) loans that have not been honoured.
In a walk-in interview with the media in Kabwe, Mr Nyansho said the only crime he has committed was playing the leading role sensitising community members in the ward on the acquisition of the CDF loans.
He claimed that he is being stalked and being threatened with death for what he called failure by the government through Ngabwe Town Council to honour the CDF loan applicants.
“After three months applicants were informed that their loans were approved and people have since been waiting for about seven months. I have visited the local authority advising them to come to my safety by going to the people to explain the status quo,” Mr Nyansho said.
However, Ngabwe Town Council Secretary Hamweende Mpande has described the claims by the vice WDC Chairperson as half-baked truth and expressed disappointment that he opted to rush to the media instead of engaging his office.
Mr Mpande has attributed the delay to the disbursement of the loans to the applicants due to the earlier decision by the government to halt the loan facility because of the high default rate.
“The loans were approved as early as March this year and four months later we got approval of the provincial committee. However, there was a directive by the government to halt the loan component of the CDF due to default rate and pulling these resources together in communities,” Mr Mpande explained.
He, however, said the government rescinded its position after a wide range of stakeholders including Members of Parliament (MPs) opposed that decision.
Mr Mpande said the correct position is that the CDF loan process has reached an advanced stage and is waiting for the release of funds.
He said in view of the imminent disbursement of the funds, about a week ago the loan authority invited ZANACO to conduct financial literacy education to the prospective loan beneficiaries.
“This information was explained and shared with councilors and the WDCs. I don’t know if the complainant is aware of this information. The next step is to release the money to applicants as soon it hits the account,” he stated.
He disclosed that there are eight and 17 applicants for 2024 and 2026 CDF respectively.
