CDF abuse could make Zambia criminal State – Kalyati
By Thandizo Banda
THE United Party for National Development (UPND) should not use Constituency Development Fund (CDF) as a political cash cow to its advantage ahead of the August 13 general election, Ndola mayor Jones Kalyati has said.
Dr Kalyati, a Patriotic Front (PF) Ndola district chairman, said the indiscriminate abuse and theft of CDF by UPND-led councils and constituencies might soon slide Zambian into a criminal state.
He warned that the trend would soon backfire.
Dr Kalyati said the criminality in the handling of CDF in UPND dominated councils and constituencies had rendered the program political and ineffective.
“Zambia is at the brink of being declared a criminal state due to the reckless abuse and theft of CDF in councils and constituencies run by UPND. There is overwhelming reports of nepotism and bias in the allocation of CDF,” Dr Kalyati said.
He called for stronger accountability measures to ensure CDF served its purpose.
“Here in Ndola, we have cases where CDF is shared among family members. CDF is being given to political party cadres, family and friends. We have reports of CDF loans and grants being given to Zambians living in the diaspora, benefiting from CDF proceeds. We are also concerned that despite increased funding tangible development projects were scarce,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Kalyati says Zambians are now regretting voting out PF.
He said the former ruling party demonstrated love and care for the citizenry through policies and programmes that made a tangible difference in people’s lives.
“Sadly, the feedback emanating from across the country, especially here on the Copperbelt and Ndola in particular, suggest there’s an overwhelming feeling among Zambians of being neglected by the current government,” he said
He said the free education policy that the UPND was boasting about had brought more harm than good.
“We now have chock-a-block classes which has comprised quality. They have not created corresponding infrastructure to meet the demand for classroom space,” he said.
Dr Kalyati said the PF structures remained intact in Ndola and were eagerly waiting to vote out UPND on August 13.
“The Electorate are frustrated with UPND’s failure to fulfill its campaign promises particularly, reducing the cost of living,” he said.
