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Teta’s role in disbursing Solwezi land revenue raises suspicion

Teta’s role in disbursing Solwezi land revenue raises suspicion
Written by Margaret Habbuno, Mwala Kalaluka and Mwila Chansa
Monday, May 11, 2009 11:55:10 PM

THE Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) in Solwezi has questioned local government minister Benny Tetamashimba’s involvement in the disbursement of land rate payments made to Solwezi Council by Kansanshi Mine. Solwezi Diocese CCJP coordinator Frederick Nabanda charged in an interview that Tetamashimba’s role in the disbursement of the rate payments from Kansanshi Copper Mine without consulting Solwezi Municipal Council was suspicious.

Nabanda, whose organisation falls under the ambit of Caritas Zambia, said Tetamashimba, who is also Solwezi Central MMD member of parliament, convened a meeting in Lusaka, which was attended by deputy parliamentary whip Humphrey Mwanza, commerce deputy minister Richard Taima and the Solwezi Mayor where they discussed how the K2.5 billion rate payment would be expended.

He said the approach taken by Tetamashimba over the money was causing concern among council officials in Solwezi, as they were aware of the payment.

“As Caritas, our core duty is to ensure that we monitor the expenditure of the Council so that the money is used in the right channel. On March, 9, 2009 in Lusaka, Tetamashimba held a meeting without informing us the people from Solwezi. Why should a minister budget for the Municipal Council?”Nabanda asked.

He said some stakeholders in Solwezi were not happy with the way Tetamashimba was running the affairs of municipal council.

“The current town clerk for Solwezi Mr Zya, his contract ended and the minister decided to reinstate his contact and his defence was that he wanted him to account for the K400, 000,000 but up to now nothing has been done,” Nabanda said.

He said it was unfortunate that Tetamashimba was running the council as though it was a kantemba.

“He is pushing his way through and he doesn’t even allow the Council to make their decision,” he said.

Nabanda said Tetamashimba should have sought permission from the local authority before proceeding with the meeting.

Meanwhile, Patriotic Front (PF) Chitimukulu ward councilor Macdonald Mulongoti has observed that the delay in installing mayors on the Copperbelt will further hamper development in the province.

Mulongoti accused Tetamashimba of causing development inertia due to his alleged tendency of treating the ministry like “a personal-to-holder thing”.

“The President should find another minister and not Tetamashimba. Councils on the Copperbelt are non functional and this is not good because mayors can’t carry out functions before they are installed,” he said.

Mulongoti said it was sad that after having delayed the mayoral elections unnecessarily, Tetamashimba was now delaying the installation of the elected mayors.

“Only Kalulushi and Mufulira mayors have been installed so one wonders when the others will be installed,” said Mulongoti.

Tetamashimba could however not comment on the two issues as his mobile phone was unreachable by press time.

Labels: BENNY TETAMASHIMBA, CCJP, FREDERICK NABANDA, KANSANSHI MINING PLC, SOLWEZI COUNCIL

posted by MrK @ 10:57 PM