Cleaning association denies shunning court
By Charles Musonda
CLEANING Association of Zambia (CAZ) president Lawrence Makumbi says he has not run away from the law as portrayed in some reports circulating on social media regarding his alleged failure to appear in court.
Makumbi said in in a statement he was a law-abiding citizen who respected the Constitution of Zambia, the country’s laws and the court’s authority.
“My absence from court was not an act of defiance or disrespect. I remain committed to cooperating fully with the legal process and addressing the matter through the appropriate legal channels,” he said.
“I therefore appeal to members of the public not to judge me solely on reports circulating on social media, but to allow the legal process to take its course. I also wish to state that I’m not a criminal. My reputation has been built over many years of public service and advocacy on behalf of ordinary Zambians.”
Makumbi said since 2012, he had served in leadership within the CAZ, advocating the rights and welfare of cleaners, domestic workers and allied workers throughout Zambia.
He said in that period, he had campaigned for better wages, improved conditions of service, and greater opportunities for indigenous Zambian-owned cleaning companies.
Makumbi said in his view, these efforts have sometimes brought him into difficult situations.
“Nevertheless, I remain committed to these goals, pursued lawfully and peacefully. It is for this reason that I wish to express my sincere appreciation to his Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema and his government for the significant labour and economic reforms introduced over the past five years,” he said.
Makumbi said the reforms had provided a strong foundation for economic empowerment and have given hope to thousands of cleaners, domestic workers, and indigenous entrepreneurs across Zambia.
