Chingola councillors in near punch up; ad-hoc committee appointed

Chingola Municipal Council has appointed five-man ad-hoc committee to establish the allegations of illegal land allocation in the district.

And the atmosphere in the chamber was tense such that Kasala ward Councillor Eastwood Mubanga and Chitimukulu ward councillors Hector Kambole almost fought had it not been for quick rescue from other councillors.

Meanwhile PF members outside the council were demanding for suspension of the mayor Cuthbert Kalebaila and Lulamba ward councillor’s violet Mumba.

Ms Mumba and Nsansa ward councillor Henry Kafumbe were thrown out of the meeting together for rushing to the media.

Speaking after the full council meeting, Chingola Town Clerk George Mulenga told The Independent Observer that a five-man ad-hoc committee was formed to establish the allegations levelled against some councillors.

Chingola Town Clerk-George Mulenga

Mr Mulenga said the council meeting had two critical matters; one to establish the truth if some councillors were involved in illegal land allocation in Chingola East and also to establish the misconduct by any councillor as reported in almost all the media institutions.

He said Statutory Instrument number 140 of 1995 was clear in guiding the councillors on how they should publicise council affairs.

“To this effect a five man ad-hoc committee has been appointed, it is made up of five councillors namely; Bupalo ward councillor Titus Tembo (deputy mayor, PF) Buntungwa ward councillor Derrick Chilundika (MMD), Kwacha ward councillor Kennedy Sikambale (PF), Chimfwembe ward councillor Bright Lukonde and Muchinshi ward councillor Peter Mukuma.

“The committee will be given terms of reference and direction on how they should conduct themselves. The report is expected within seven days. The decision of the council will base on the findings and recommendations of the committee,” he said.

In a separate interview the mayor said the meeting was fruitful and it served its purpose which finally led to the appointing of an ad-hoc committee.

Mr Kalebaila said he could not comment further until the report was made public.

Land Minister Wylbur Simuusa who was part of the meeting by virtue of him being Nchanga Member of Parliament said his Government must deliver to the people of Zambia.

Mr Simuusa said in the path to deliver there would be no sacred cows whether PF members or the opposition.

“When we came into power as PF we promised proper town planning and orderliness in the way land was being given out. But it is unfortunate that the allegations are coming from my constituency and district.

“At the moment we can call the allegations as smoke and the appointed committee will establish if there is fire and if it does then all culprits will be dealt with even if it means suspending them. As PF we are a disciplined party, hence we will not tolerate illegality,” he said.

And the faired tempers from the chamber spilled out of the chamber resulting in Mr Mubanga and Mr Kambole roughing up each other in a near physical exchange of fists.

Mr Kambole sarcastically told Mr Mubanga that his huge body make-up could not threaten him.

‘Its just the muscle and the big body but I can beat you’.

Meanwhile Chingola PF constituency vice chairperson for women wing Brenda Mambwe said Ms Mumba the councilor at the centre of conflicts must go.

Ms Mabwe said that if the committee would spare her the party would take stern action against her.

She said Ms Mumba and the mayor brought embarrassment to

Ms Mumba

the party, the councillors and the District Commissioner by rushing to the media rather sought out the problem administratively.

On the other hand the house in question purported to be belonging to the DC actually belongs to John Patounas.

Mr Patounas who had offers from the Ministry of land said the land in question at plot number L/3707/M was his agricultural small holdings in Chingola East.

He brought the letters to Mr Simuusa but the Minister advised him to take them to the town clerk.

Some councillors said the mayor almost imposed himself to chair the meeting despite him being at the centre of things.