LCC audit contains breaches - Dr Chituwo

LCC audit contains breaches - Dr Chituwo
By Moses Kuwema
Sat 25 June 2011, 04:01 CAT

LOCAL government minister Dr Brian Chituwo says the audit report on the Lusaka City Council contains aspects that border on the breaches of a criminal nature. During a briefing at his office yesterday, Dr Chituwo said the local government ministry would have to institute the law enforcement agencies to follow up the findings.

“At the moment, I’m not quite sure whether it would be prudent to release the entire report. I think we shall be advised by the Ministry of Justice as to the appropriateness of releasing the entire report.

For now it is clear that the law was not followed because the local government Act is very clear that before the local authority disposes of any land, it has to seek the permission of the minister. That was not done,” Dr Chituwo said.

He said when the law enforcement agencies move in, consideration would be given to innocent people who bought the land in Lilayi in that they innocently believed that the land was available in the right manner.

“There are quite a number of recommendations from the committee among them are to consider prosecution because the transactions were illegal,” he said.

Early this year, Dr Chituwo announced the suspension of the council following reports that the local authority has been involved in some land allocation scams.

He said the government decided to suspend LCC to pave way for investigations into the alleged illegal land allocation.

The council remained suspended for 90 days before Dr Chituwo later extended the period by another 90 days.

The PF-dominated Lusaka City Council has been accused of illegally allocating land to itself without following the law governing the allocation of land.

Meanwhile, Dr Chituwo directed the LCC not to renew the existing leases or offer leases for car wash bays on the roads reserve or any designated area such as play parks.

Dr Chituwo said the intention of the government was to improve the road network by redesigning any particular road that would enhance the easier flow of traffic.