LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR THOSE STEALING GOVT RESOURCES A MUST!
Commenting on the book review President Hichilema’s newly published book, You Can’t Share Poverty by counsel Dickson Jere, Saviour Chishimba President of the United Progressive People (UPP) takes us down memory lane and shares the following interesting insights on his Facebook page:
“In 2008, shortly before the presidential by election following President Levy Mwanawasa’s death, I met President Hichilema through a mutual friend. We had an extensive conversation about Zambia’s future. I particularly remember his conviction that development resources should reach constituencies directly to transform communities.”
When increasing CDF from the paltry amount of K1.6 million to the staggering amount of K40 million, President Hichilema famously declared, “We’re taking away the money from the centre where the big thieves are in Lusaka and taking it to the constituencies!”
This is something every patriotic citizen deserves to know about our beloved President! He has a penchant desire to not only improve the welfare of our people, but jumpstart develop the development of this country as well.
But lo and behold, we seem to have a lot of enemies of progress still lurking in government corridors. Despite the courts setting good examples by sending such perennial thieves to jail, the plunder of government resources seems to continue unabated!
Look at the headlines just this month: K16.7 million stolen from the Social Cash Transfer programme in Itezhi-Tezhi by three Social Welfare Officers. K44.6 million allegedly diverted by a Project Accountant in the same Ministry. K5.6 million worth of houses, cars and bonds hidden by an Executive Officer and a ZANIS editor. K2.4 million paid for school feeding maize that never arrived.
We took the money from a few big thieves in Lusaka, only for it to be stolen by a few small thieves in the districts!
If President Hichilema’s vision is to succeed, we must protect CDF and Social Cash Transfer money like we protect human life. A person who steals K16 million meant for the most vulnerable Zambians — the old, the disabled, the orphans — has committed a crime worse than armed robbery. He has stolen the future of a whole district.
That is why the Government must introduce LIFE IMPRISONMENT for those stealing national resources otherwise ba Tonse will continue finding an excuse to mislead our people the government of Hakainde Hichilema has lamentably failed!
A 12-month sentence for a policeman who solicited K800, or bond and a slap on the wrist for officers who stole millions, will not deter anyone. The law must send a clear message: If you touch money meant for the people, you will never see freedom again.
The Penal Code must be amended. Stealing CDF, Social Cash Transfer, FISP, or any decentralized fund must be classified as economic sabotage — an offence against the Republic itself, punishable by life.
President Hichilema had the courage to take the money to the people. Now we must have the courage to protect it with the harshest punishment possible.
Otherwise, we are just moving thieves from Lusaka to Itezhi-Tezhi and other places!
Salute!
Prince Bill M. Kaping’a
Political/Social Analyst
Zambezi