Sat, 05 Aug 2017 10:44:29 +0000
Dear Editor,
IT has come to my attention that the PF Kapwepwe Ward 25 Councillor, Patrick Salubusa consistently working with some known reporters from the Daily Nation Newspapers has continuously sought to drag my name and the entire Lusaka City Council into disrepute by causing the publication of leading articles which are prejudicial to the civil case before the Lusaka High Court Judge Wanjelani in the Daily Nation Newspaper on the land dispute without affording me a right to respond as per journalism ethics.
The land in dispute is between Abigail Chabu, the (Plaintiff) vs Salubusa Patrick (Defendant)
Let me also indicate that I have been reluctant to comment or say something with regards to the matter at hand not because I am weak but as a sign of strength and maturity.
Firstly, the public may wish to know that Lusaka City Council properly and procedurally awarded the land in question in 2014 way before any plans for putting up any health post were made in 2016 which councillor Salubusa had himself opposed during his political campaigns in 2016.
It is also worth stating that there is nothing wrong with any citizen of the Republic of Zambia, whether they be spouses of councillors or former councillors to be legally allocated land which they apply for.
I challenge Councillor Salubusa to deny if he himself has not applied for any land before Lusaka City Council a few days ago while being a councillor. If procedure is followed and the Council decide to award him some land, why should Mr. Salubusa or his wife be haunted with screaming headlines for the properly acquired land?
Secondly, I must point out that it is the duty of all councillors to defend the procedural and legal decisions made by Lusaka City Council rather than bring the Council into disrepute.
Mr. Salubusa is subtly accusing Lusaka City Council of fraud and corruption when it followed all procedures in allocating land to Abigail Chabu who is, in the first place a citizen of the Republic of Zambia, before being “a wife to the former councillor.”
The Plan Works and Real Estates Management Committee of the Council that also comprised the current Minister of Lands, Honourable Jean Kapata and all council functionaries, did approve the creation of the land in question on 6th August, 2014.
The current Councillor may also wish to know that the Full Council Meeting held on 16th September, 2014 attended by among others the current Minister of Justice, Honourable Given Lubinda, did approve the allocation of the said land. This was two years before decisions were taken to have Lilanda Health Post positioned on the other part of the land.
Due to the reasons above, Lusaka City Council and government, has not at all complained of the issue in question as even the Legal Department of the Council was represented during the approval stages of the land.
It is questionable whether the actions of Councillor Salubusa to falsely accuse Lusaka City Council has the full blessings of His Worship the Mayor of Lusaka and the entire Council.
I would like to remind Kapwepwe Ward Councillor that the Lusaka City Council and not councillors, is an agency on behalf of the Ministry of Lands and the Councillor Mwamba is abusing and overstepping his mandate by acting on behalf of Lusaka City Council which he himself is accusing of corruption.
Lastly, the Council and the code of conduct of councillors is governed by the Local Government Act which require that Councillors do not speak on behalf of the Council without clearance from the Mayor or the Council itself. The standing orders of the local authorities are clear where members of the council which Mr Salubusa is part of should refrain members from issuing media statements which puts the council into ridicule.
I, therefore, challenge the Lusaka Mayor and Town Clerk to bring this councillor in order before he finds himself in conflict with the law.
The records will show that councillors who have gone beyond their mandate have in the recent past been suspended from the Council as was the case in Mungwi Municipal Council and Lusaka City Council itself on a known Councillor in Kabwata.
People of Kapwepwe are waiting for him to address developmental issues like; ●What has happened to the remaining roads under the L400 before we get to L200?
- What mechanism is he putting in place to contain the flooding in areas such as Chinyanja before the rains start?
- Garbage, security to mention but a few.
Trying to gain political mileage on Mr or Mrs Piyo will not address the challenges people voted for him are facing.
I am appealing to both the News Editor and proprietor of the Daily Nation Newspaper to investigate a series of articles written by the same reporter to determine his or her vested interest in the one-sided reporting techniques, which is meant to influence the proceedings before court.
As we have known journalism, journalists must always seek to be balanced in the way they cover the news, avoiding any biases or serving those to whom they have a special relation with.
Maurice Piyo
Former Councillor, Lusaka City Council
Kapwepwe Ward 25.
