By ROGERS KALERO
A SHOWDOWN is looming between Nkana member of Parliament, Binwell Mpundu and Parklands ward councilllor Felix Malasha over illegal allocation of plots, which the lawmaker has taken exception to.
Mr Mpundu and Mr Malasha have clashed over alleged rampant illegal allocation of land in Mindolo and Kamakonde areas of Nkana constituency.
Mr Mpundu is concerned over the rampant illegal allocation of land which has rocked Mindolo and Kamakonde areas of Nkana constituency in Kitwe where land earmarked for schools, markets and recreation facilities have been illegally allocated to individuals.
However, the MP’s sentiments have angered Mr Malasha who has asked him to resign if he has failed to deliver to the people of Nkana constituency and wait for the next elections for him to stand as a councillor if he wished to be in the council chambers.
However, Mr Mpundu said it would be unreasonable for him to start exchanging words with a councillor who is not even known in his own ward and was only too lucky to be elected because of the wind of change.
Mr Malasha, who is also Kitwe Deputy Mayor was reacting to concerns by the area MP regarding the illegal allocation of land which had rocked Mindolo and Kamakonde areas of Nkana constituency in Kitwe where land earmarked for schools, markets and recreation facilities have been illegally allocated to individuals.
Mr Mpundu said even pieces of land where roads were supposed to pass have been blocked by illegal allocation of land which had become rampant in less than six months in which councillors have been in office.
But, Mr Malasha advised the MP to stop throwing stones at the current serving innocent councilors accusing them of illegal land allocations.
Mr Malasha said in statement which had a Kitwe City Council (KCC) letter head that, as Deputy Mayor he will not stand back with arms folded and watch people throwing stones at councillors at the council.
“If he wished to be in the council chamber , he should have stood as a councillor instead of aiming higher and now frustrating the work of councillors. I will defend my councillors in full throttle to enable them execute their duties as expected of them by the citizens,” Mr Malasha said
And Mr Mpundu said “What I have just seen in that councillor is simply excitement such that he even has the audacity to create a headed paper and actually respond on behalf of the council instead of allowing some senior people to respond .
“Since when did you ever see a Deputy Mayor writing letters on the council letter head when the Mayor is around? It is a pure case of a child born today and wants to start chewing bones before he can even get used to baby porridge,” Mr Mpundu said
Mr Mpundu said issues of careless allocation of plots was affecting service delivery, because utility companies like Nkana Water Supply and Sanitation (NWSS) were affected in their quest to deliver water.
“Because of this, we want to put efforts to make proper road networks for our people as well as attending to other social amenities. If that political novice thinks I will keep quite, well he should brace himself for a showdown.
“I want to sound a warning that I will not entertain illegalities in my constituency and any one willing to dare me, they are welcome,” he said.
