1 October 2008
KITWE Town Clerk Ali Simwinga yesterday openly clashed with Bulangililo ward councillor, Pelibati Mwansa, over alleged rampant illegal allocation of plots in his ward.
The two leaders clashed in the presence of Kitwe Mayor Divo Katete in Mr Simwinga's office when Mr Mwansa tried to defend a woman who was allegedly found illegally allocating plots on the banks of Kafue river.
Mr Mwansa, who is opposition Patriotic Front (PF) councillor, was trying to defend Veronica Lwele, who is a member of the residents development committee in the ward, from being taken to the police for allegedly being involved in the illegal allocation of plots.
Ms Lwele was found illegally allocating plots on the banks of the Kafue river and it was alleged that she had been associated with the illegal allocation of plots in the area for a long time.
Ms Lwele is also alleged to have a list of people to allocate plots and has been receiving K6 millon from people who want plots in the area.
Earlier in the meeting, Ms Lwele told the town clerk and the mayor that Mr Mwansa had allowed them to allocate plots on the banks of Kafue river.
Two days ago, the Kitwe mayor complained that it was unfortunate that names of some councillors were only mentioned in the illegal allocation of plots and not in initiating and spearheading developmental projects.
But when Mr Mwansa was called to go and tell his side of the story, he became emotional and failed to give a convincing explanation to the town clerk and the mayor, and instead walked out of the meeting emotionally charged.
He said it was not fair for the council to take Ms Lwele to the police station because she was an innocent woman and had not committed any offence.
"We have talked about these issues many times and I do not have time to talk about them any more. I don't feel good to be called for such kind of meetings.
"It is not fair for the council to take this woman to the police because he has not committed any offence. She is an innocent woman. I can't stay in this meeting to discuss these issues. I am leaving now ," Mr Mwansa said as he left Mr Simwinga's office.
But Mr Simwinga told Mr Mwansa to stop defending and supporting illegal allocation of plots in his ward if he was a good leader.
He said he was disturbed that councillors who were supposed be playing an important role in discouraging illegal allocation of plots were in the forefront of defending those perpetrating the vice.
He said councillors should stop illegal activities like illegal allocation of plots so that they gain and hold the confidence and respect of the people.
"Councillor Mwansa, if you are a good leader, do not support evil things. People are looking to you to provide guidance, but if you start supporting evil things, then I don't know what people will think of you," Mr Simwinga said.
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