Higer bus empowerment benefiting few youths – Zulu

Sat, 17 Dec 2016 10:08:13 +0000

By MAILES BANDA

 FORMER Public and Private Drivers Association of Zambia (PPDAZ) information and publicity secretary Steven Zulu has charged that it has never been his wish to benefit from the Higer bus project for the youth.

Mr Zulu said his mission was to ensure that transparency and accountability was adhered to in the distribution of the buses to the beneficiaries.

“My actions have nothing to do with personal benefit but rather the interest in ensuring that corruption is fought. Members of the association were asked to pay K1,500 each to have access to the empowerment scheme and about 1,000 members paid but they have not yet benefited,’’ Mr Zulu claimed.

He said the threats by the association leadeship to drag him to court were unfounded and should not be taken seriously as he was not scared to face litigation.

“I am ready to be taken to court for speaking the truth and to save the masses from a disastrous leadership which is treating drivers as slaves,’’ Mr Zulu said.

He stated that the courts would provide a platform for him to speak for the voiceless and aggrieved youths, adding that no one was above the law.

In reaction to the association leadership receiving death threats, he said the allegations were lies and baseless.

Mr. Zulu has alleged that he and some other members were not given the opportunity to renew their membership this year for unknown reasons.

He has appealed to President Edgar Lungu to take keen interest in the issue and investigate as public funds had been invested in the programme to empower the youths.