MMD is putting pressure on workers, councillors to ignore theft at Lukulu council – Imenda

MMD is putting pressure on workers, councillors to ignore theft at Lukulu council – Imenda
Written by Mwala Kalaluka
Sunday, May 17, 2009 3:08:30 PM

LUKULU East United Liberal Party (ULP) member of parliament Batuke Imenda on Friday accused the MMD of pressurizing councillors to gloss over the misappropriation of public funds at Lukulu Council.

Imenda stated in a press release that he had information that an MMD provincial official in Mongu was now interfering in the running of Lukulu Council following the recent audit report on the local authority, which revealed acts of gross financial indiscipline.

"He [MMD provincial official] is putting pressure on council staff and councillors to ignore thefts that have rocked the council," Imenda stated. "The same official is misleading councillors in believing that he has spoken to Hon. Tetamashimba, Minister of Local Government and Housing to protect the Council Secretary from a disciplinary action."

Imenda demanded to know whether MMD as a party tolerated such dirty schemes.

"It is morally wrong and lack of principles for a top party official to protect a corrupt individual," Imenda complained. "We call upon the Anti-Corruption Commission to monitor the dirty activities by the MMD official...we want to know whether MMD as a party tolerates these dirty schemes."

Imenda pointed out that the findings of the latest audit report undertaken by the Ministry of Local Government and Housing on Lukulu Council made sad reading.

"When I met him, the minister [Benny Tetamashimba] categorically put it to me that he was not going to tolerate theft and corruption in his ministry," Imenda stated. "He told me that if the rot in Lukulu District Council will not be corrected in time, he would have no option but to dissolve it."

Imenda expressed concern that despite piling demands on the new Lukulu Council chairman, a Mr Twembuchi and Kabombo to call for a full council meeting to discuss the audit report, this was not being done.

He stated that instead Twembuchi was going around telling people that there was no need to for a council meeting because he knew how the money was spent.

Imenda threatened that councillors would demand Twembuchi's removal as chairman should he abrogate his responsibilities.

He called on the provincial local government officer to order Twembuchi to call for a full council meeting so that the matter could be settled once and for all.

"We assure the nation and Lukulu in particular that this matter will never go to sleep until all culprits are brought to book," pledged Imenda.

Western Province MMD chairman Simasiku Namakando could not be reached for comment.