Lufwanyama District Council suspends three senior officials

By ALEX NJOVU

THE Lufwanyama District Council has suspended three senior officials for allegedly misapplying over K338 million meant for construction of low cost houses in the district.

Those suspended are director of works Ben Sihulumi, a treasurer Joseph Chituta and an accountant, Bridget Munakombwe.
Lufwanyama member of Parliament Lwipa Puma confirmed the suspension of the trio in an interview yesterday in Lusaka.
“On 9th November, 2009, we held a full council meeting where it was unanimously resolved that Mr Sihulumi, Mr Chituta and Ms Munakombwe be suspended from the council for misapplying over K338 million meant for construction of low- cost houses in Lufwanyama district.
“We had sent auditors to Lufwanyama and they discovered that over K338 million was not in the bank. I will make sure that I follow up this matter to its logical conclusion,” Dr Puma said.
He said it is worrying that some workers are allegedly frustrating Government programmes meant to enhance development.
“I am busy in Lusaka moving from one ministry to another lobbying for funds to enhance development in Lufwanyama district and yet it is not being used for its intended purpose. I shall not entertain dealings that deprive people of development.
“The council has since ordered the three officials that have been suspended to hand over any property that belongs to the local authority. We also want to inform the public that these people are no longer signatories to any council transactions,” he said.
Dr Puma said the council has appointed three employees to act in the positions of the suspended officers.
Mr Sihulumi could neither confirm nor deny the suspension.
“I am just hearing rumours from people. The issue is that we were in the full council meeting on Monday but we declared interest and left. It is not that we stole the money as individuals…it could have been used on other activities within the council,” Mr Sihulumi said.