TIZ rubbishes calls to probe source of K200, 000 PF nomination fees

By KALOBWE BWALYA

CALL for law enforcement agencies to investigate the source of money being paid by Patriotic Front (PF) presidential aspirants will be a waste of resources and an abuse of law enforcement agencies, Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) has said.

Sampa Kalunga, the president of TI-Z has said the K200, 000 was not an amount that could cause alarm for the United Party for National Development (UPND) to demand that the law enforcement agencies should investigate.

Mr. Kalungu however said the only concern should be within the PF as to whether every member vying for the presidency can afford the required amount.

His comment comes in the wake of concerns raised by various stakeholders, among them the UPND who have expressed concern over the K200, 000 participation fee being paid by PF presidential hopefuls and have called on investigative wings to investigate the source of the money.

UPND Lusaka Province Chairperson Obvious Mwaliteta said the PF should account for the K200, 000 nomination fees that its presidential candidates have paid while investigative wings should take keen interest and investigate the source of this money.

Mr Mwaliteta claimed that some of the candidates who had paid the K200, 000 nomination fees had never had such amounts and were on the verge of bankruptcy.

He said it did not add up that the same individuals were now flushing out huge amounts of money when their bank accounts did not match.

“It is therefore imperative that investigative wings follow the source of that money which according to gathered information shows that the money was not withdrawn but gotten from some known businessman with a view to launder his money which is under investigation,” Mr Mwaliteta said.

But PF acting secretary general Nickson said it was total foolishness for UPND to suggest that investigative wings should take interest in the candidates who managed to pay the K200, 000 nomination fees. “It will be so hard for Zambia to develop with this poverty mentality,” he said.