UPND NRC SCAM EXPOSED

…people getting more than 1 NRC card

SOUTHERN Province has been embroiled in an NRC scandal as some individuals are getting more than one NRC to help an opposition party win elections.

And Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo has warned that those who were dubiously obtaining more than one NRC to help a certain party win elections were just digging their own grave because the new digital system where citizens’ fingerprints were taken would detect them.

The scam was laid bare after the police in Monze arrested a male juvenile aged 18 years who obtained two National Registration Card (NRCs) using different names.

Confirming the development, acting police spokesperson Danny Mwale said the juvenile and two parents who separately represented him were all detained in police custody for false representation.

Mr Mwale said the suspect on October 9, while being represented by his uncle did obtain an NRC bearing his name and Muchila village, Chief Muchila, Namwala District.

He said again on October 31, the juvenile whilst being represented by his father did obtain another NRC bearing Gwalikumena village, Chief Hamusonde, Namwala District.

“His father has also been detained for False Representation contrary to section 13 of Chapter 126 of the National Registration Act,” Mr Mwale said.

Mr Mwale said both NRCs have been retrieved and kept in police custody as evidence in court.

Meanwhile, Mr Kampyongo who commended registration officers for being alert warned the people against breaking the law.

The Minister said people should not take advantage of the mobile NRC issuance exercise to commit crimes such

as giving false information to public officers because they risked being caught and dealt with according to the law.

“It doesn’t pay and if there are those who think they can get more than one NRC to help a certain political party, they will be disappointed because the system will detect them and the law will take its full force without looking at the political party one belongs to,” the Minister said.

And Patriotic Front deputy Chief whip Tutwa Ngulube said it was not a secret that the UPND had been using underhand methods to win elections in the region.

Mr Ngulube said the motive by some people to obtain more than one NRC was aimed at helping the opposition to win the 2021 elections.