…Commissioners at the Local Government Service Commission are allegedly collecting money from markets and bus stations in the name of fundraising for the UPND for the 2026 general elections
By NATION REPORTER
ACKSON Sejani, the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) chairperson is not aware that two of his senior officials are allegedly engaging in illegal collection levies in various markets and bus stations in some parts of the country under the guise of mobilising funds for the ruling UPND.
There are reports to effect that two LGSC commissioners have been collecting money from markets and bus stations in Kazungula, Nakonde, Solwezi, Kalumbila and Lusaka in the name of the ruling party.
But when contacted, Mr Sejani said he was not aware of the scandal and that he was hearing about it for the first time.
“I am not aware about what you are talking about. I am hearing it from you. Do you have the names of the said commissioners? Please dig deeper and keep us informed,” Mr Sejani said.
But Lusaka City Audit and Risk Committee Chairperson, Mainda Simataa said while he was not aware of the involvement of the commissioners, such scandals will be investigated thoroughly so that those involved were brought to book.
Mr Simataa said the matter shall not be taken lightly because the culprits were depriving the council the much-needed revenue.
In an interview, Mr Simataa said the committee would sit and interrogate the matter so that the illegality could be stopped.
Mr Simataa, who is also Kamwala ward 5 councillor said, the local authority needed enough revenue for operations, therefore, those stealing money in the name of UPND will not be spared.
“We provide oversight and accountability on council’s resources and operations, so if such information reaches our desk we have a duty to make an inquiry. This information is new and it must be tabled with management then further action will be taken to verify if such is happening,” he said.
Sources close to the Commission and familiar with the activities reveal that the illegal collection of levies in markets and bus stations had been going on for some time and was depriving the local authorities of their revenue.
The sources said the behaviour of the two officials also defied the Presidential directive to the effect that ruling party operatives should never abuse their status and engage in illegal activities such as illegal collection of levies in markets, bus stations and other public places.
They said President Hichilema had been on record saying that no UPND or government officials shall be allowed to collect money from markets and bus stations to allow local authorities generate their own revenue. The sources indicated that the two officials have instead made changes at managerial level in markets and bus stations, bringing in people they could easily control.
“Why we are revealing this is because we want President Hakainde Hichilema to make a decision against these two officials. These two are abusing their authority of office in ways that warrant only dismissal. It is also to help the law enforcement agencies to move into the Commission and conduct thorough investigations on these two commissioners,” the sources said.
In 2022, getting into the year 2023, the high ranked commissioners engineered the transfer of all market and bus station managers in Lusaka and some selected districts which were considered as money spinners so that they can be getting cash gratification from there. Soweto market manager and Kulima Tower bus station managers said they bring money physically to their offices. Most of the markets and stations do not have receipts, a deliberate effort being engineered to destroy evidence of how much money is being collected,” the sources said.
The sources said it was prudent that higher authorities should take interest in the matter so that the two commissioners could be held accountable for their actions because if nothing will be done, revenue for the local authorities would continue being pocketed.
Sources said; “When they collect money from markets and bus stations they give named drivers to deposit in different Airtel money accounts.”
