Mwape bemoans poor utilisation of CDF
By Brina Siwale in Mazabuka
Sun 08 Dec. 2013, 14:00 CAT
COMMON Cause Zambia says it is disappointed with the mismanagement and poor utilisation of public funds meant for development in different constituencies in the country. And Common Cause Zambia has urged the media to take an interest in monitoring projects being implemented using public resources.
In an interview after a media workshop in Mazabuka, Common Cause Zambia executive director Susan Mwape said many Zambians were being deprived of the meaningful development due to abuse of public resources.
"As a people, we are trading on a tight-rope in terms of the different funds that we have. We are trying to make headways in the right direction but I think there are a lot of challenges in the management and utilisation of the different funds that we have, such as the Constituency Development Funds and Youth Development Fund, among others," Mwape said.
"We have these funds that are supposed to add up to something developmental and something that would work for this country, but if you look at the disbursement, management and utilisation processes of funds, there are a lot of gaps."
She said there was need for the government to be more serious on how it disbursed the CDF because most of the funds were being mismanaged.
"There is a lot that needs to be done. The issue of monitoring of the projects is another serious challenge. We have heard of people who have accessed public funds for certain projects but the works are shoddy and unacceptable. In the end, we invest a lot of money in projects that did not even make any value," Mwape said.
She said the media could help in ensuring that the funds were used prudently by monitoring the projects.
"The media can help by reporting on these projects and keeping a close eye on the different projects. There is need to ensure that there is transparency and accountability in the use of public funds," said Mwape.
Labels: CDF, SUSAN MWAPE
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Let's work with govt - UPND MP
By Staff Reporters
Sun 20 Jan. 2013, 10:30 CAT
GWEMBE UPND member of parliament, Brian Ntundu says there is need to support the PF government so that its developmental agenda succeeds. Speaking yesterday during a Constituency Development Fund (CDF) stakeholders meeting held at Munyumbwe Civic Centre, Ntundu said the PF's 2013 budget was the best so far as it was activity based.
He said as member of parliament, there was nothing wrong in supporting the government of the day adding that members of parliament drew government salaries and allowances.
"It is illogical for MPs not to work with government because it is the same government that pays them salaries and fuel allowances for them to carryout their duties" he said.
Ntundu explained that the PF government was there to deliver to the people of Zambia and called on all Zambians to support government in implementing programmes.
He said the PF government was committed to adjusting the CDF upwards to ensure that Zambians plan and implement their localised developmental projects.
Ntundu, who spoke fondly and highly of President Michael Sata, said politics should not be mixed with development.
He cautioned UPND councillors against frustrating government's developmental agenda.
Ntundu observed that UPND councillors were the majority in Gwembe constituency and cautioned them against politicising government's developmental projects in the district.
He called for the proper utilisation of CDF for the benefit of the people of Gwembe.
The UPND leadership has instructed its members of parliament not to work with PF.
Recently, UPND's Sinazongwe member of parliament Richwell Siamunene was charged for supporting PF's developmental initiatives.
And Gwembe CDF stakeholders have unanimously proposed to purchase road equipment from the just released K1 billion CDF in order to improve feeder roads in the district.
In attendance were ward councilors, the district commissioner, heads of government departments, district council staff, NGOs, the church, chiefs, and community representatives.
Labels: BRIAN NTUNDU, CDF, UPND
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Biti freezes CDF, risks MPs' ire
24/10/2012 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter
FINANCE Minister Tendai Biti last night faced open revolt from MDC-T and Zanu PF MPs after stopping the disbursement of the $5 million Constituency Development Fund until after next year’s elections.
Biti, due to announce the 2013 budget on November 15, wants a tough new law passed to prevent the abuse of the fund before MPs receive the US$50,000 for each constituency.
Four MPs were arrested earlier this year after shocking details of how they abused the fund for personal benefit emerged during an audit.
The Finance Minister is determined to stop the abuse and a new Bill currently being drafted will see MPs who loot the fund jailed for five years.
Biti is supported by Constitutional Affairs Minister Eric Matinenga, who says there is less than six months before the current parliament is dissolved and disbursing the funds now could lead to a spending spree by some lawmakers who may not retain their seats, making it difficult to account for how the money was spent.
But Biti’s decision to delay disbursements until the next Parliament – expected after the March 2013 elections – has put him on a collision course with legislators.
Zanu PF chief whip Joram Gumbo said the move was “retrogressive”.
“The money should not be deposited in personal accounts but should go to a constituency account that must be properly accounted for by financial rules put in place,” Gumbo said.
He added: “Does it mean that all the ministries are not going to get their allocations because it is not certain that the current ministers will return to their respective ministries after elections?
“I don’t think that is a serious move, it’s retrogressive.”
MDC chief whip Innocent Gonese said: “The beneficiaries of CDF are the people in the constituencies. We must not punish them because of that issue [imminent elections].
“As a matter of principle, what should be done is to disburse the money to the MPs and put in place a mechanism to account for the money if one loses the elections.
“I think there is still enough time for the MPs to identify areas that need development in their constituencies and the money should be disbursed to them.”
Labels: CDF, TENDAI BITI
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CDF looting MPs face five years in jail
29/07/2012 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter
LEGISLATORS who looted their Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocations could be jailed for up to five years under proposals set to be put before Parliament.
Four MPs, three from the MDC-T and one from Zanu PF were arrested early this year for allegedly diverting for personal use part of their CDF allocations but efforts to prosecute them stalled after it emerged there was no law outlining possible penalties.
“We had to revert to the Criminal Law and Codification Reform Act, which we have pointed out to be a weaker legal statute. Moreover, MPs do not fall under the Public Finance Management Act,” said Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs permanent secretary, Virginia Mabhiza.
Charges against Albert Mhlanga (MDC-T Pumula) and Franco Ndambakuwa (Zanu PF Magunje) were subsequently dropped with the state advised to proceed by way of summons while cases against Marvellous Khumalo (MDC-T St Mary’s) and Cleopas Machacha (MDC-T Kariba) are still pending.
Mabhiza said a Bill to facilitate the prosecutions would soon be brought before Parliament adding consultations were continuing between the Ministry of Finance, the Attorney General’s Office and the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.
“We have stepped up our efforts and the Bill will soon go to Parliament before it becomes an Act. The new law, if enacted, will help us in dealing with those who think that they are off the hook,” she said.
“No one will go scot-free because these funds are meant to develop constituencies not self-aggrandisement. We are having final discussions with stakeholders, but the Bill now has a penalty section that is going to nail looters of the funds.
“The CDF administration will be done through a board that has a chief executive. The board will help in the control and application of the CDF.”
Finance Minister Tendai Biti allocated US$8 million to the CDF in the 2010 national budget with each legislator entitled to US$50,000 which was supposed to be used to finance development activities in their constituencies.
Mabhiza said her Ministry was continuing its audit of all the 210 constituencies adding various irregularities had been discovered in some of the 95 so far covered.
“The auditors are in Mashonaland East at the moment where we hope to cover 22 constituencies by next week,” she said.
“Our projection is to finish by year end that is if Treasury continues giving us our budgetary allocations.
“We continue to receive a lot of complaints and tip-offs from people from various constituencies and this is a cause for concern.”
Labels: CDF, CORRUPTION, MDC CORRUPTION
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Fr Daka ties CDF abuse to political interference
By Christopher Miti in Chipata and Fredrick Mwansa in Itezhi-te
Tue 03 Apr. 2012, 12:57 CAT
CARITAS Chipata director Fr Vincent Daka says some of the adverse effects on the utilisation of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) arise from political interference.
During the presentation of the Caritas-Zambia CDF study report findings in Chipata on Saturday, Fr Daka stated that the report also cited poor management of the fund, imposition of projects and low community participation as some of the adverse effects on the utilisation of the fund.
He said the report highlighted some of the causes that have impeded the objectives of the fund from being realised.
"The (CDF) seeks to improve locally-based development with the aim of reducing poverty. Where guidelines have been kept and proper follow-ups have been conducted, the realised projects have not only been a pride but a real change of life for our people. Figures of CDF have been rising over years but the actual government vision on this programme is far from sight," he said.
Fr Daka said Caritas would like to see elected leaders more as patrons rather than active implementers of CDF.
Caritas Chipata governance unit programmes officer John Mthaziko Zulu, who gave an overview of the report revealed that wrong people were sometimes appointed to run CDF.
Zulu said members of parliament and councillors have partisan interests and have more influencing authority on the CDF utilisation, especially in projects' selection and sitting.
He said the allocation of CDF projects tends to be biased towards wards where the elected constituent representatives were more popular.
Zulu said some amounts purported to have been spent on projects were rarely equivalent to the quality of work.
According to the report, 44 CDF corruption-related cases were reported to the ACC from various constituencies in the period 2006 to 2010.
Eastern Province permanent secretary Hlobotha Nkunika said the government of Zambia was an open one which allowed the participation of stakeholders in the governance of the country to enhance transparency and accountability in the management of the resources.
He said he was happy to see civil society organisations like Caritas taking such a move which would assist the government to clearly know what was happening on the ground insofar as the CDF was concerned.
Nkunika was, however, concerned with the non-representation of Chipata Municipal Council at the meeting.
Labels: CARITAS, CDF, CONSTITUENCY DEVELOPMENT FUND
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Attorney General widens CDF abuse probe
11/03/2012 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter
THE Attorney General has ordered a probe into all the country’s 210 Members of Parliament – expanding an investigation into abuse of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) which previously targeted 55 lawmakers.
Four MPs have been arrested over the last two weeks after the Ministry of Constitutional Affairs – assisted by the Auditor General and the Anti-Corruption Commission – identified looting of the US$8 million fund in 10 constituencies.
But the Attorney General Johannes Tomana says that probe – a “sample audit” of 55 constituencies picked at random – may have let off dozens of other corrupt MPs.
All 210 constituencies were allocated US$50,000 each at the end of 2009 after Finance Minister Tendai Biti established the CDF, which is meant to give MPs financial resources to aid deserving projects in their constituencies.
Four MPs - Albert Mhlanga (MDC-T, Pumula), Marvellous Khumalo (MDC-T, St Mary’s), Franco Ndambakuwa (Zanu PF, Magunje) and Cleopas Machacha (MDC-T, Kariba) – have all been arrested and charged with corruption over the abuse of the fund.
But Tomana has ordered a halt to the prosecutions until a complete audit is done in all 210 constituences.
In a letter to the Constitutional Affairs Ministry, Tomana said: “... I have noted the need for all of us to properly, comprehensively and fairly deal with the results of the ongoing CDF audit which has given rise to investigations and arrests currently being handled by the Anti-Corruption Commission of Zimbabwe, by doing the following:
“ First complete the audit of the CDF for all constituencies; Forward the report to me for consideration in terms of Section 76 (4) and (4a) of the Constitution; and hold in abeyance all current investigations and arrests by the Anti-Corruption Commission and prosecutions by my office related to the CDF.”
He demanded that the audit be completed by the end of June 2012.
Tomana’s intervention will send shockwaves through the corridors of power as more MPs face the real prospect of arrest in the coming months.
One MP said: “An audit, by definition, is about all and not some. I know for certain that many of my colleagues presented fictitious accounts because what is in their reports does not match what is on the ground. They presented good paperwork that is hiding bad practice.”
Labels: CDF, JOHANNES TOMANA, MDC CORRUPTION
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Third MP charged over CDF fraud
01/03/2012 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter
A THIRD MP was arrested on Thursday in a crackdown launched last week on lawmakers who looted a constituency development fund. Each of Zimbabwe’s 210 MPs received US$50,000 to develop their constituencies under a scheme introduced in November 2010.
Following concerns that some MPs were abusing the fund, the auditor general and the Parliamentary and Constitutional Affairs Ministry launched an investigation which reported unsatisfactory findings in 10 constituencies.
On Thursday, Pumula MP Albert Mhlanga (MDC-T) became the latest legislator to be arrested as it was revealed how he transferred thousands of dollars into his company’s account. The MP is due to appear before Bulawayo magistrates on Friday charged with fraud.
Officials from the Anti-Corruption Commission who are driving the prosecutions say Mhlanga transferred US$32,000 into an account of his company, Bulawayo Plumbers. He told investigators that his firm had supplied materials for his constituency.
Mhlanga is also accused of shifting US$9,000 into the account of a general dealer, Alex Company, and a further US$2,000 to his friend’s company, Silver Sharp.
The MP failed to account for a further US$7,680.
Prosecutors have already charged St Mary’s MP Marvellous Khumalo (MDC-T) over alleged abuse of the fund. He is accused of splashing on a truck which he was hiring out.
Magunje legislator Franco Ndambakuwa (Zanu PF) is accused of changing signatories to the constituency account and putting his wife and friend instead. They creamed the account of US$49,000, prosecutors say.
Khumalo was released on US$300 bail, and Ndambakuwa was freed on US$500 bail.
Labels: CDF, CORRUPTION, MDC CORRUPTION
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COMMENT - This is an election year, so expect NewZimbabwe.com to become even more pro-MDC and partisan. However, this is not at all unique to the ZANU-PF, and if you read this article all the way to the end, you will notice the statement:
"parliamentary officials say 95 percent of MPs have satisfactory accounted for their expenditure."
CDF: Zanu PF MP blew $49,000 with wife, pal
29/02/2012 00:00:00
by Tendai Rupapa I Herald
AN MP removed two signatories to a Constituency Development Fund bank account and replaced them with his wife and friend before blowing US$49,304 on private business, a court heard. Magunje MP Franco Ndambakuwa (Zanu PF) is the second lawmaker to be charged with fraud relating to abuse of the fund.
St Mary’s MP Marvellous Khumalo (MDC-T) was freed on US$300 bail last week after also being charged with fraud relating to the US$50,000 fund designed to provide MPs with financial means to kick-start development projects in their constituencies.
Ndambakuwa, 52, appeared before Harare magistrate Anita Tshuma on Wednesday and was remanded to March 19 on US$500 bail.
The legislator was ordered to report once every week to the Anti-Corruption Commission. He was barred from applying for the replacement of his lost passport until the matter is finalised.
David Magwegwe, for the state, told the court that on September 30, 2010, the Magunje constituency committee opened an account with Agribank.
Between November 1 and December 29, 2010, Treasury transferred US$50,000 in three batches into the account.
The signatories were Ndambakuwa and two councillors, Badwell Chasara and Henry Dandawa.
On November 13, Ndambakuwa allegedly misrepresented to the constituency committee that he intended to buy four grinding mills for the four wards in the constituency.
Acting upon the misrepresentation, the committee withdrew US$10,000 but Ndambakuwa pocketed the money.
The theft came to light following an audit by the Ministry of Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs in May last year.
To cover his tracks, Ndambakuwa reportedly tendered a quotation from Fastsellers Hardware purporting it to be a receipt for building materials for Sadzi School worth US$4,972.
He also tendered two backdated cash receipts of US$240 each from Stockday Distributors Pvt Ltd to prove he bought two generators yet he bought one, which he converted to personal use.
He requested for a cash receipt for another generator, which he promised to pay later and never did.
After he failed to account for the first withdrawal, the other signatories refused to authorise another withdrawal.
On December 31, 2010, it is alleged that he manufactured minutes purporting that the Magunje CDF committee had resolved to change signatories to the bank account.
The two councillors were then replaced by Ndambakuwa’s wife, Lydia Musonza, and his friend Joel Zvikonyauswa.
The legislator, it is alleged, withdrew US$16,660 from the account, which he pocketed.
The court further heard that from December 7, 2010, to January 24 last year, Ndambakuwa made three separate withdrawals amounting to US$23,000.
On all those occasions, it is alleged, he converted the money to his own use.
To cover up, the legislator tendered two quotations from Fastsellers Hardware purporting to be receipts for the purchase of building materials worth US$9,260.
He claimed to have bought the materials for Zvarayi Secondary School and Mukakatanwa School but checks with those schools exposed the con.
Police say they expect to make further arrests of lawmakers who abused their US$50,000 allocations, but parliamentary officials say 95 percent of MPs have satisfactory accounted for their expenditure.
Labels: CDF, CORRUPTION, MDC, ZANU-PF
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MMD will never get back to power - Ng'ambi
By Abigail Chaponda in Ndola and Christopher Miti in Chipata
Wed 25 Jan. 2012, 13:53 CAT
FORMER MMD Copperbelt province vice-chairman Frank Ng'ambi says the MMD will never come back to power because it has lost its credibility. Ng'ambi who resigned from his position last Friday said former president Rupiah Banda's bad leadership skills led to the demise of the MMD party.
"The reason why MMD lost is because of former president Banda. Firstly, there was biasness in the distribution of campaign materials. For instance, in Chifubu Constituency where I stood, I was given 24 bicycles, while in Western and North Western candidates were given 1,000 bicycles. This was unfair, and it's bad for a leader to behave like that," he said.
"The truth of the matter is that MMD will never come back to power. I don't think the current leadership on the Copperbelt will inspire people. It's even better to join other parties," he said.
He said Zambia was going through a political landscape of moving forward and that whoever was still in the MMD was lagging behind.
He said he would work with any party that would meet the aspirations of the people.
Ng'ambi, who during the Chifubu by-election uttered profanities against Michael Sata, now says the head of state was a good leader and he urged Zambians to give him chance to rule the nation.
Meanwhile, two MMD councillors in Chipangali Constituency have defected to the ruling PF citing oppression and corruption in the former ruling party.
The two civic leaders, Msandire ward's Hanile Jere and her colleague Errek Phiri from Sisinje ward, told journalists at Wildlife Hall in Chipata on Monday that they had decided to join the PF which they described as a progressive party.
Jere said she decided to resign because she was being oppressed in MMD.
She claimed she was being sidelined by other MMD councillors at Chipata council.
"I have been suppressed and depressed by the MMD so I have decided to move away from my oppressors. These people in the MMD have actually pushed me out of the party because of their attitudes, so I am just moving out from oppression," Jere said.
Phiri said there was no transparency in the disbursement of Constituency Development Funds at the council.
He said there were a number of projects that had not been completed because of lack of funds.
Phiri cited Mbenjere clinic as one of the projects that had not been done despite being funded.
"There are a number of projects that have not been done but the picture which is at the council is that they have been done. So even at Sisinje, there is an invisible clinic, I am calling it invisible because the records show that there is a clinic but there is nothing," Phiri said.
Both councillors said they would apply for adoption under the PF ticket during the by-election in their respective wards.
PF provincial information and publicity secretary Mung'omba Ngoma congratulated the two civic leaders for joining PF.
Ngoma said MMD was dead and buried and that it would never come back to Zambian politics.
Labels: CDF, FRANK NG'AMBI, MMD
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MMD-hired voters emerge as Mulyata uproots communal tap
By Roy Habaalu in Mongu
Tue 27 Sep. 2011, 10:40 CAT
ALERT PF officials on Saturday impounded trucks carrying people that were suspected to have been ferried to vote in Sikongo on their return trip to Lusaka. And former Mongu Central member of parliament Joseph Mulyata has uprooted a community tap that was installed using Constituency Development Funds (CDF).
The Patriotic Front officials, led by Mongu district chairman Mulenga Tembo and other members, effected a citizens arrest on the suspected voters at Mulamba harbour around 14:00 hours.
Before going to the police station, the voters were briefly interrogated at the harbour, where they said they were told to travel and vote for Rupiah Banda and the MMD candidate Mundia Ndalamei.
"What can we do? We were just told that all was in place: food, transport and allowances for us if we voted for MMD and president Banda. We wanted money because we're suffering. Some of us were registered in Lusaka but arrangements to vote in Sikongo were made by the provincial administration," said one of the voters during an interrogation.
Sources at the Provincial Accounts Control Unit (PACU) said an accounts clerk was sent to Sikongo to pay voters coming from Lusaka and facilitate for their accommodation and meals.
"Those voters were paid K1 million each for the seven days they spent there. Billions of money meant for poverty reduction and developmental projects was sent to Sikongo to pay voters that were coming from Lusaka. One officer Abel Mkandawire, an accounts clerk, was the one paying those voters and the chap became arrogant because he thought MMD would win. The chap was openly campaigning for MMD and bragged that if MMD wins those that tried to block him would be dealt with," said the source.
"Government vehicles were released by the provincial office to help campaign for the MMD."
Western Province police commanding officer Phanwell Siandenge said the voters were released, pending further investigations. Meanwhile, a check by The Post in North Park area found the tap removed with only holes remaining.
"Mulyata himself removed that tap because he felt betrayed that his own relatives (Mbundas and Luvales) who are the majority in the area didn't vote for him. He was angry that they cheated that they would vote for him but things turned out otherwise. This Don't kubeba slogan taught us a bitter lesson," said an MMD official.
Mulyata had not been seen in public a day before voting and recently wrote to the police that his life was in danger.
Meanwhile, former Kanyonyo MMD councillor Yowano Chisambwe locked himself and family in the house for two days after PF supporters surrounded it, demanding that he be arrested.
The jubilant supporters told Chisambwe to take the list of alleged Linyungandambo members he had prepared to the police.
"He prepared a list of our names, warning that if MMD wins, we will be arrested. Come out and arrest us, we are here; arrest us. You thought you would steal forever; we are here, arrest us before we arrest you," they shouted.
Labels: 2011 ELECTIONS, CDF, CORRUPTION, JOSEPH MULYATA, MMD, PF, VOTERIGGING
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Govt freezes Chongwe CDF
By Bright Mukwasa
Fri 01 July 2011, 04:01 CAT
THE government has frozen the Chongwe Constituency Development Fund (CDF) with immediate effect. And MMD Lusaka Province chairperson William Banda says the MMD will resort to any means at its disposal, including 'juju' if necessary, to ensure the party retains the Chongwe parliamentary seat.
In an interview yesterday, Chongwe member of parliament Sylvia Masebo said she received a letter from the Chongwe council secretary on Wednesday informing her about the government’s move through the Ministry of Local Government and Housing to freeze the CDF account.
Masebo said she was told that the account had been frozen in order to facilitate investigations into the utilisation of the 2009 and 2010 CDF allocation. This means that no transaction would be conducted on the account until after the audit verification was concluded.
But Masebo questioned the motive of the government’s decision, saying it would only affect the people of Chongwe who needed development.
“This is a desperate move by a desperate government to fix me. Why are they taking this measure a day after I announced my resignation from the MMD. It shows the bad faith and hatred I have been talking about, on their part,” Masebo said.
“In their narrow way of thinking, they think they are fixing or punishing me but what they don't know is that they are fixing the people of Chongwe who desperately need that money to improve their standards of living. Secondly, the government is fixing itself because this decision will backfire on them, the people will react.”
Masebo said the council had already made decisions regarding the use of the CDF.
“What is remaining is for the council to implement those decisions. And some of the projects we are undertaking include the drilling of boreholes in selected villages where villagers are still drinking water from wells and buying of culverts to fix bridges in some impassable areas to help school-going children, especially,” Masebo said.
She said among the intended projects was the improvement of the general school infrastructure in some selected schools.
“I am surprised that Dr Brian Chituwo and his advisors in the ministry could execute such a political programme against me which is just going to affect the people who are beneficiaries of those projects,” Masebo said.
“This money is not intended to benefit me as an individual, it is the people that need the boreholes to improve their living standards.
Dr Chituwo and his friends in government are so desperate to fix me that they have instructed the bank not to honour cheques that have already been issued on this account. Is this what they call auditing? Are they not supposed to audit after the expenditure?”
Masebo on Monday announced her resignation from the MMD following President Banda's continued hatred and undemocratic tendencies against her.
And William Banda says MMD would resort to any means at its disposal, including ‘juju’ to ensure the party retains the Chongwe parliamentary seat.
Addressing a handful of MMD cadres in Chongwe on Wednesday, William Banda said the party would campaign vigorously to retain the seat.
“I think we have all agreed that we shall all support Japhen Mwakalombe in Chongwe. Iwee basakuyofye (You Mwakalombe, they should not scare you). If it means using juju we shall do so,” William Banda said.
He said Mwakalombe, who had earlier vehemently denied habouring intentions to contest the seat, would win based on the ‘development’ MMD had delivered in the area’.
He warned MMD members not to attend any meeting called by Masebo.
“Masebo is no longer our member so if she calls for any meeting, if you go there I will discipline you. In whose name is she going to call you?” William Banda asked.
And William Banda said he is a smart guy and not the violent image portrayed of him by The Post.
“I am not the way people write about. Can you see the way I'm dressed? I am a gentleman. You can't break strong people easily,” William Banda, who was dressed in a suit said while beating his chest pompously.
He denied ever having harassed people at Frederick Chiluba's funeral as he was too senior a party official to be a ‘gateman’.
William Banda also warned that the moment The Post would write anything bad about him would be the time that he would march to their offices in protest because too many bad things had already been written about him.
He also called on MMD members to respect senior chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II as their mother and not to ever ridicule her.
Labels: CDF, CHONGWE, MMD, SYLVIA MASEBO
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Masebo gives K10m from CDF to Chongwe High School
By Agness Changala
Mon 14 Mar. 2011, 04:00 CAT
CHONGWE High School has commended area parliamentarian Sylvia Masebo for releasing K10 million which has been used to make dining hall tables. Masebo gave the school K10 million from the Constituency Development Fund towards the end of 2010 following the problems the school was facing.
School headteacher Robertson Chenda said with the K10 million CDF, the school bought materials to make 27 dining tables.
“The 27 tables with the old 21 gives 48 tables sitting 384 pupils. We need 36 more tables so that we have a total number of 84 tables to sit 672 pupils in the boarding and another injection of CDF would go a long way in alleviating these problems,” said Chenda.
And school headboy Peter Kaipambe said the donation could not have come at a better time because the school had been facing a great challenge in the area of infrastructure. He said previously, they fed while standing, which was contrary to Zambian culture which requires people to sit down as they are taking meals.
He appealed for more support from Masebo, saying they still needed more tables to eliminate the problem of pupils taking their meals while standing.
Kaipambe said although pupils were Zambia's future leaders, they were facing a number of challenges in their education which might affect their opportunities if left unattended to. He further appealed to Masebo to help connect the school with NGOs that could help stock the school library with latest books.
“We also want our laboratories to be worked on and stocked with chemicals to enable us to carry out experiments,” said Kaipambe.
And Masebo advised the pupils that the secret to success was hard work and discipline. She encouraged the girls to concentrate on studies and refuse to go into early marriages or intimate relationships.
Masebo regretted that 47 years after Zambia's independence, a high school as old as Chongwe could still have children eating while standing and squatting.
She said this was shameful for her as area member of parliament, which was why she was working hard with the school management to prioritise the purchase of dining tables using CDF.
“Surely, what kind of children do we expect to produce if we allow such conditions for our children in boarding schools?” Masebo asked. “And as a female legislator, I appreciate the need for good sanitation, especially for girls.”
Labels: CDF, SYLVIA MASEBO
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Relocate illegal settlers in Misaka forest reserve - Chifubu MP
By Bright Mukwasa
Thu 03 Mar. 2011, 04:00 CAT
CHIFUBU parliamentarian Susan Kawandami has called on the government to consider relocating the increasing illegal settlers in the Misaka forest reserve in Ndola.
In an interview, Kawandami said the government ought to quickly look for an alternative piece of land where the population could be settled as it was increasing at a fast rate.
“We need to relocate these people to some place. I think we have over 2000 illegal settlers in the forest,” Kawandami said.
She said the people occupying the forest reserve did not have access to social amenities, making their lives difficult.
“We need to move them to a place where they can access basic necessities, where children can go to a proper school and have proper medical facilities,” Kawandami said.
She said it was a challenge on the part of government to facilitate the relocation in order to conserve the forests.
Kawandami also said her constituency was considering buying a grader using the Constituency Development Fund for the rehabilitation of the area's road network which was in a deplorable state.
Labels: CDF, LAND RIGHTS, SUSAN KAWANDAMI
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COMMENT - I absolutely commend Mayor Dawn Mumbwe for her actions. It is often said that there is as much corruption at the council level as there is at the national level. However, this example proves that there are many more eyes on the money at the local level than there are at the national and ministerial level. Can anyone in the ministries or parliament call for the impeachment of any government minister or the president because of embezzlement of funds? So bravo to Mongu's Mayor Dawn Mumbwe.
Mongu mayor impeached for demanding probe into abused funds
By Mwala Kalaluka
Thu 07 Oct. 2010, 04:00 CAT
NEWLY-elected Mongu Mayor Dawn Mumbwe has been ‘impeached’ for insisting that town clerk Frank Kalenga should temporarily vacate office to allow for a probe in recent audit revelations that highlighted
rampant abuse of funds at the MMD-dominated local authority.But
Western Province minister Sikwibele Mwapela has warned that the MMD would lose the Mongu Central seat to the opposition if moves to discuss the audit report continued to be blocked.
Mumbwe confirmed in an interview that she was interdicted during a special council meeting she called to discuss the findings of an audit and inspection report covering the period September 2009 to April 2010 undertaken by an auditor from the Western Province Local Government Office.
Mumbwe said the special full council meeting was held in the Mongu Council chamber on October 2, 2010 to discuss the above audit and inspection report that implicated Kalenga and other council officers in the mismanagement of council funds and government grants.
She said before the meeting in question, Mongu Central MMD parliamentarian and deputy defence minister Joseph Mulyata called her and told her to stop pushing for the special council meeting to discuss the audit report. “He called me and threatened me that ‘Ms Mumbwe, if you continue calling for the special council meeting it will backfire on you and we are going to impeach you’ and it has happened,” Mumbwe said.
“I have been interdicted. I am still a Mayor but I have been interdicted. I was interdicted on the 2nd of October because instead of bringing the audit report, the town clerk prepared a document showing that I had abused my office.”
Mumbwe said grounds on which she was interdicted were that she had abused her office when she asked Kalenga through a letter dated September 17, 2010 to vacate office and hand-over the keys to her following his defiance in notifying the councillors of the special council meeting to discuss the audit report.
Another ground that was that Mumbwe lifted the suspension of a councillor who challenged Mulyata to explain the misapplication of Constituency Development Funds (CDF) in Mongu Central.
The document further stated that Mumbwe, who was elected as Mayor on September 8, 2010, had breached her oath of office when she allegedly divulged to the public the audit and inspection report before it could be considered by the council.
Mumbwe said during the special council meeting where she was interdicted, Mulyata chased some members of the public that came to follow the discussion on the audit report.
“Some stakeholders who were inside when they realised that it was not the about the audit report, they walked out,” Mumbwe said. “Currently workers have stayed for six months without being paid.”
Mumbwe said local government permanent secretary Timothy Hakuyu directed Mongu Council to discuss the audit report and send recommendations to his office but that Kalenga and the director of finance a Muyapekwa responded to the report and sent recommendations without the input from the councillors.
Mumbwe has since called on the Ministry of Local Government to constitute a different body to discuss the audit report and ignore Kalenga’s unilateral response.
But Mwapela, who is also MMD provincial secretary, has advised Mulyata not to block the deliberations on the audit report.
Mwapela said it was disappointing that MMD councillors were failing to work together and he asked Mulyata to be in the forefront and meet with the councillors to discuss the audit report.
“If the council has not done anything wrong, there is nothing to hide,” said Mwapela. “We are heading for election; if he continues with that kind of confusion, MMD will lose that seat, Mongu Central.”
Efforts to get a comment from Mulyata proved futile by press time.
Labels: AUDITING, CDF, CORRUPTION, DAWN MUMBWE, FRANK KALENGA, JOSEPH MULYATA, MAYOR, MMD, MONGU
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COMMENT - And if the humble CDF can make a huge difference, imagine what would happen if the government supported local councils with 50% of national revenues? ($550 million in 2004.)
CDF has brought a lot of change - Malambo
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Mon 21 June 2010, 04:00 CAT
CHIPATA District Farmers Association (CDFA) coordinator Virgil Malambo has said the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) has brought a lot of change in areas where it has been managed in a transparent manner.
In an interview after his association revealed the outcome of its research on the CDF guidelines, Malambo said there had been a lot of benefit arising from the CDF.
“We have seen a lot of great benefits from these funds, especially where they have been managed in a transparent manner and this is what we want to see. Zambia is ours, the funds are ours, so we need to guard these funds jealously and report where people are not managing the funds properly,” Malambo said.
He also called for the translation of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) guidelines for the Zambian community to understand them better.
“The community must be aware of what is happening as regards to the CDF so the translation of the guidelines is an important aspect as well,” he said.
Malambo further said the association would help in pushing for the increment of CDF allocations.
And the research revealed that the biggest challenge and concern surrounding the CDF lies with lack of transparency and accountability at the community level.
The research which was presented at Chipata district public dialogue meeting last week by Gilbert Chisenga indicated that the CDF lacked transparency and accountability from the planning of community projects to the implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
The report also disclosed that the Ministry of Local Government and Housing delayed too much to disburse funds to approved projects and this made communities to wait for a long time to benefit from the CDF.
The delay, according to the report, also derails the implementation of the identified community projects.
The report also revealed that council officers failed to advise members of parliament and councilors objectively over decisions on CDF because of fear of being victimised.
It stated that the other concern was that MPs abused their authority to appoint four community leaders to the Constituency Development Committee (CDC) by picking their closest political cadres.
And the participants at the dialogue meeting learnt that Chiparamba ward in Kasenengwa Constituency has had no Ward Development Committee (WDC) since 2006.
The ward, whose councillor Malvern Zulu is also Chipata mayor, was supposed to form a committee about three years ago.
Chipata district commissioner Moses Nyirenda pledged that the matter would be discussed during the District Development Committee scheduled for June 23, 2010.
And Malambo said the association was currently carrying out a project titled ‘Public Policy Engagement’ to influence change in the CDF guidelines for improved management of the fund.
He said the project which was funded by the Zambian Governance Foundation was aimed at undertaking specific public policy engagement activities that would lead to revising the CDF guidelines to make them pro-poor.
Malambo said after the research and the dialogue meeting, his association would call other civil society organisations to plan on lobbying and advocacy issues.
Labels: CDF, CHIPATA DISTRICT FARMERS ASSOCIATION, VIRGIL MALAMBO
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Mpulungu MP buys 2 ambulances with CDF
By Sandra Lombe
Tue 09 Mar. 2010, 05:20 CAT
MPULUNGU MMD member of parliament Lameck Chibombamilimo has said two ambulances worth K157 million have been procured using Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for people in the area. Chibombamilimo yesterday said the 4x4 ambulances were for Vyamba and Chitimbwa zones, which were far from the district hospital.
He said the move to buy the ambulances was aimed at helping to reduce the number of deaths that occurred due to the long distance that people covered to get to the hospital.
“After consulting the people and stakeholders, we found that people needed ambulances. The 4x4 ambulances are ideal for the Mpulungu terrain. They were bought for K157 million both using CDF, they are tax-free. They are almost new vehicles. They were got from Durban, South Africa," he said.
"We are grateful to ZRA because they are tax free. The ambulances will go a long way to help save the lives of people especially pregnant women, who at times use bicycles to get to the hospitals.”
Chibombamilimo said Vyamba zone comprised Vyamba ward which was about 40 kilometres from town where the district hospital is located, Chisha-Chinakila 81 kilometres and Isunga ward 191 kilometres.
“The Chitimbwa Zone comprises Katwe 75km, Mumila 108km, Itumbwe 120 km and Iyendwe 120 km wards,” he said.
He said he would buy another ambulance for Mpulungu Central.
Chibombamilimo said he did not expect the health workers to abuse the ambulances.
Chibombamilimo also said the people of Kapembwa mountain area did not want to move to safer areas.
“The situation is quite calm now. There was another earthquake tremor but people noticed it early from afar and left the place. Only houses were damaged,” said Chibombamilimo.
Labels: CDF, MPULUNGU
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Mabenga loses temper on live phone-in programme
By Agness Changala
Sun 07 Feb. 2010, 06:50 CAT
MMD chairman Michael Mabenga on Thursday lost his temper and labeled one of the caller’s contributions “stupid” and “foolish” when he featured on Q FM. During a live phone-in programme dubbed Public’s Last Say, the caller identified as Muchindu opted to call Mabenga Mr Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
In response to Muchindu, Mabenga, who is also lands deputy minister, angrily asked Muchindu to explain what he meant by calling him Mr CDF. “What do you mean Mr CDF?” Mabenga asked.
“You ate the money for Mulobezi,” replied Muchindu.
Mabenga said it was very foolish of Muchindu because he did not even know what he was talking about.
“If I am able to get you there, I am going to get you and you will get arrested for that. That’s very silly of you, I must say,” he said.
Mabenga said when people attacked him in a stupid and foolish manner, he would defend himself from such attacks.
“You see when you have people speaking stupid like this; I must be able to defend myself because he has no evidence at all. He has no evidence,” he said.
Mabenga threatened to take Muchindu to court if he talked about corruption allegations without evidence and asked him not to open what he called new routes.
“I was not found guilty. I should have gone to prison, which prison did I go to? Nothing like that happened, and that’s why I am saying don’t talk about empty things,” he said.
Mabenga told the caller to just complain about the drainage like he earlier started.
He urged Muchindu to be objective and talk about things that were meaningful.
“You see, we know you are the same people who call almost all radio stations and people understand you. We know you but let us speak things that are objective, then we will be able to answer you,” Mabenga said.
And a sympathiser of the MMD advised Mabenga to appreciate what people were saying about his party.
He said the government must attend to people’s needs because that was what people needed at the moment.
“What people need at this moment is food, mealie meal prices are rising by the day so as a government, what are you going to do about it? Try and sit down on the table, what are we doing?” the sympathiser said.
Earlier, Mabenga said the MMD government was trying hard to ensure that employment was created for the people of Zambia.
He said the government was also encouraging more investors to come to Zambia.
“Each time you see the President going out, he tries as much as possible to woo investors to come to our country, to come and work together with us in Zambia here,” he said.
Mabenga said it may take a bit of time but the government was convinced that it was there and the employment opportunities were being provided.
He said the mines would be opened in some provinces and employment would come forth.
On concerns that the government had failed to address drainage problems in Lusaka, Mabenga said the government should not be blamed because there were members of parliament and councillors in charge.
Mabenga advised the public to go to Lusaka Province minister Charles Shawa to get a yellow book and see what had been allocated to the province for such works.
Mabenga said the government had responded by giving provinces resources that should cater for their needs.
Labels: CDF, MICHAEL MABENGA, QFM
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There is no transparency in CDF management – AVAP
Written by Christopher Miti in Chipata
Sunday, September 20, 2009 7:08:42 PM
THE Anti-Voter Apathy Project (AVAP) has observed that there is no transparency in the management of Constituency Development Funds (CDF) in most constituencies.
AVAP programmes officer Richwell Mulwani said the CDF had not addressed real issues in relation to poverty reduction.
"AVAP has embarked on establishing constituency assessment committees (CACs) in Petauke, Chipata, Mansa, and Mwense districts, the committees are established with the financial support of MS Zambia. AVAP has taken note that the CDF has not addressed real issues in relation to poverty reduction,” Mulwani said.
He said there was fear that the funds might be abused by politicians who had an upper hand as they aspired to retain their parliamentary seats in 2011 elections.
"AVAP has seen that there is no transparency in the manner the CDF has been managed; there is fear that the K650 million that will be allocated may only benefit political cadres if there is no monitoring by independent groups. It is for this reason that AVAP has established four CACs in Petauke central and Luangeni, the CAC is comprising of credible people from civil society organisations who are competent enough to track the expenditures of the CDF," Mulwani said.
He urged communities to be vigilant on projects financed by CDF. Mulwani urged the government to provide safe and clean drinking water at Nsenya Basic School in chief Nyamphande's area in Petauke where people were alleged to be sharing drinking water with animals. Mulwani said the school that is located in Msanzala Constituency faced a serious water problem.
Labels: AVAP, CDF, CORRUPTION
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Use CDF to develop your areas – Shawa
Wednesday, August 12, 2009, 16:22
Government has urged civic leaders and parliamentarians in Lusaka province to utilize the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to develop their areas. Lusaka Province Minister Charles Shawa said there is need to unlock the potential of Zambians to enhance the promotion of economic growth and diversification.
Mr. Shawa noted that this would also help to improve the quality of public service delivery to the people. The Minister said this when a group of councillors from Kafue District Council called on him at his office today.
He advised civic leaders to work closely with their area Members of Parliament in the use of funds from CDF to improve the social services and infrastructure development in the district.
Mr Shawa added that government is in hurry of extending benefits of economic growth and development to the people through the involvement of key stakeholders.
Earlier, Kafue District Council Chairperson, George Muleya said the council was working had in reviving the manufacturing industry in a bid to make the district an industrial hub of the province.
Mr Muleya said the construction of Universal Mining and Chemicals Industries, a major hotel and a cement manufacturing company would revive the economic activity in the district resulting in job creation among the people.
He commended government for injecting capital into Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ).
The Coucil Chairman said the move would help the fertiliser company resume full production.
Mr Muleya however, bemoaned the decline in the collection of council levy from firms that have closed down, such as Abion Nickel Mine.
He noted that the development has negatively affected the revenue base of the council leading to failure by the council to provide quality service to the people.
ZANIS
Labels: CDF, CHARLES SHAWA, KAFUE, NCZ
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Constituencies need more capacity building than money—Kandodo
By Nyasa Times
Published: July 20, 2009
Finance Minister Ken Kandodo has told parliamentarians that the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) will remain at K2 million and not be reverted to K3 million as many members wish saying the constituencies need more capacity building than money.
Kandodo was speaking in parliament when most members contributing to the 2009/10 fiscal budget expressed dismay with the reduction of the fund from K3 million to K2 million.
The Minister of Finance announced in the budget statement that, the reduction of CDF is due to mismanagement of the fund by previous parliamentarians.
He told the House that the CDF will remain at K2 million and that government is committed to develop constituencies through other means
Kandodo said government is talking to the World Bank to have a loan of K3 billion which would help in development of constituencies.
He also said the K2 billion Youth Development Fund which was announced by government will work in a long way of mitigating economic pangs of constituents.
But Budget and Finance Committee chairperson, Ralph Jooma assured government that his committee would assist in setting up necessary control measures in the implementation of the CDF.
Jooma said the control to check any possible move to abusing of the fund would ensure the smooth implementation of the fund than reducing it.
“Upon successful completion of that exercise, we urge the Minister of Finance to consider an increase in the fund,” he said.
Despite concerns on the reduction in CDF, Jooma thanked government for targeting the rural poor in resources allocation as seen in the increased allocation to the district assemblies which he said is a welcome development.
Labels: CDF, KEN KANDONO
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