In Kongola, a fervent call for justice resonates as residents demand immediate action against implicated top management officials of the Zambezi regional council embroiled in a staggering N$4.7 million corruption scandal.
This protest comes after the regional council recommended at a special meeting in October that one of the six accused, Chief Regional Officer Regina Ndopu-Lubinda, be suspended; however, nothing was done.
Disgruntled with the lack of action, the community took to the streets and handed a petition to Regional Council Chairperson Matengu Simushi and Governor Alufea Sampofu. An official from the Kongola Constituency office received the petition, which challenges the reason behind the delay in approving signatures following the management committee's suggestion that individuals implicated in the corruption scandal be suspended.
Residents assert that the misappropriated funds, originally intended for development, were unlawfully funneled to a company chosen by the regional Chief Regional Officer (CRO) through fraudulent means, including the submission of fake minutes to the line ministry.
They specifically highlight the Manyeha Crocodile Project, initiated in 2016 with millions of dollars allocated for its construction, which now stands incomplete.
The whereabouts of the funds allocated for the project remain a mystery. Residents accuse the regional council of exploiting Kongola as a means to enrich its members without delivering the promised services.
In their demands, residents call for the retrieval of the missing money by January 31st, the de-bushing of areas designated as settlements after residents' relocation to facilitate development by the end of March, the upgrading of Choi and Sesheke clinics to health centres as budgeted, and the prompt completion of the Manyeha Crocodile Project.
Ndopu-Lubinda's co-accused, including deputy director of administration Abraham Shikoyeni, chief accountant Nimrod Lichela, regional director for planning and rural development Beaven Walubita, deputy director for planning and rural development Cletius Mubita, and chief development planner Daniel Mbala, are all out on N$50,000 bail each, awaiting their next court appearance in 2024.