SAVED BY MAYOR’S DEATH

Had it not been for the untimely death of the mayor and his busy schedule before his death, Mr Bilumba would have been suspended, says town clerk, Alex Mwansa

Mr Bilumba is alleged to have chewed over K50, 000 after submitting and receiving payment for a fake list of participants in the 2014- 2016 distribution of ground rates bills in Kanyama’s ward 10 to the local authority. UPND will discipline Brighton Bilumba if found wanting, party spokesperson Charles Kakoma had announced.

Lusaka town clerk, Alex Mwansa said that Mr Bilumba’s suspension would now have to be handled by a Council of councilors since there was currently no mayor for the city.

Mr Mwansa explained that the standing orders for councilors demanded that any one facing criminal charges in the courts of law be suspended.

He said that despite his office presenting a report and other relevant documents to the office of the mayor to take administrative action against Mr Bilumba as required, Mr Kalumba died before taking the necessary action.

Mr Mwansa said that had it not been for the untimely death of the mayor and his busy schedule before his death, Mr Bilumba would have been suspended.

“A report was prepared by our internal audit and I also reported the matter to the mayor to take administrative action, but the mayor died without taking any action. Since there is no mayor now, will report the matter to the council, committee of councilors will mate out administrative action,” he said.

Mr Mwansa also said criminal proceedings against Mr Bilumba would continue in the courts of law despite the administrative action.

He emphasized that the UPND councilor’s matter was already on the mayor’s table to take appropriate action before his death.

Meanwhile, the opposition UPND also promised to discipline Mr Bilumba if found wanting for putting the name of the party to shame.

Mr Bilumba is alleged to have chewed over K50, 000 after submitting and receiving payment for a fake list of participants in the 2014- 2016 distribution of ground rates bills in Kanyama’s ward 10 to the local authority.

He is alleged to have presented a list of 35 participants to the local authority when only 13 were contracted for the job.