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Council workers protest in Chipata District
Chipata, Jan 8, 2014, ZANIS….Chipata Muncipal Council employees today staged a one day protest demanding for the removal of the entire council management for alleged embezzlement of funds and failure to formulate a strategic plan for the local authority among other issues.
And both Zambia Union of Local Authority Workers (ZULAWU) and Fire Services Union of Zambia (FSUZ) in the district have confirmed that the workers decided to protest over malpractice in operations of the council.
Meanwhile, ZULAWU District chairperson Cyprian Phiri said the council has been failing to meet its obligations because councilors are dubiously allocating plots to people in the district.
Eastern Province Local Government Officer (PLGO) Mac loud Nyirenda confirmed the development during a briefing at his office, today.
He revealed that the council workers alleged that some officers in management have been issuing fake receipts to unsuspecting clients.
ZANIS reports that Mr Nyirenda stated that they also charged that some management officials have been commuting leave days when they have not yet accrued estimated number of days to commute.
“They are also saying that those working in the fire section do so without protective clothing, but we have spoken to management which is saying that they will procure protective wear in two weeks time,” he said.
The PLGO also stated that there are allegations that management has been recruiting division four workers without following recruitment procedure where the positions are not advertized.
And both Zambia Union of Local Authority Workers (ZULAWU) and Fire Services Union of Zambia (FSUZ) in the district have confirmed that the workers decided to protest over malpractice in operations of the council.
FSUZ District chairperson Josphate Zulu said the workers charged that some officers in management positions have been getting allowances for travelling on personal programmes.
Mr Zulu said some officers have been given residential plots while others have been retired without being given a single plot.
Meanwhile, ZULAWU District chairperson Cyprian Phiri said the council has been failing to meet its obligations because councilors are dubiously allocating plots to people in the district.
Mr Phiri said the plots are being allocated by councilors who he said have not been following procedures as they are by Law not authorized to allocate plots.
He charged that council management has not taken action against the culprits.
But management has dismissed some of the claims as mere speculations due to poor communication at the institution.
Acting Town Clerk Kate Tembo said the workers should have engaged management over their concerns before protesting. Mrs Tembo cited the concern of a strategic plan as one where she claimed the workers do not understand what is happening.
She stated that the council is in the process of formulating a strategic plan saying the process was delayed because all the officers in management positions are new and needed to understand the certain issues before it could be done.
Ms Tembo said the issuance of plots by councilors has not come to the attention of management and that the matter can be addressed by law enforcement agencies because it is a crime.
She stated that the council had not been issuing plots because there is need to service the extended boundaries which she said requires resources.
Mrs Tembo however stated that the council revenue in the year 2013 had increased and that the local authority is currently making efforts to address some of the concerns. Meanwhile, division one, two and three employees have complained over nonpayment of two months’ salary.
Sources within council management said government has not yet paid the November and December salary arrears.
The sources who chose to remain anonymous said there is need for government to quickly address the matter saying it is unfair that government wants to introduce salaries to councilors yet it is failing to pay council employees.
