By Mubanga Mubanga
Charles Kabwita claims the UPND government has managed to eliminate cadrism in bus stations and markets, saying this is the reason why revenue collection by the Council has improved.
Speaking in an interview with Daily Revelation, Kabwita who is UPND national trustee said the performance of the local councils countrywide has drastically improved due to the move taken by President Hakainde Hichilema to stop cadres from collecting money from bus drivers and marketers.
“Council’s today all over the country have taken charge of the markets and bus stations, if you go to any council that was headed by cadres, you will realise that revenue collection has improved, has improved. Today you can go to the Town Clerk Lusaka, Town Clerk Kitwe, Town Clerk Livingstone, Town Clerk Chingola or elsewhere and counter check records revenue collection, you will agree with me that indeed political cadres have been eliminated completely from the market operations. Because Councils today are boasting of collecting massive revenue from the markets and bus stations,” Kabwita said.
When challenged that cadres at intercity bus stations were still collecting money from bus drivers, Kabwita dismissed the claims saying it was just a ploy to tarnish the image of the UPND government.
“Therefore, the speculations that UPND has once again tried, or they are operating in secrecy, is not true and not factual. This is just a political gimmick aimed at tarnishing our party’s name. Our youths across the nation have been directed by my chairman Gilbert Liswaniso not to intervene in the operations of markets and bus stations,” he said.
Kabwita however, said if there are any cadres still collecting money from Bus drivers and marketers, they are on their own, as President Hichilema was on record banning cadrism and that those doing so were on their own.
“And l want to remind you that our President, His Excellency Hakainde Hichilema has completely cleared cadrism from Zambia. Today, Zambians are assured of peace, when you wake up in the morning you don’t need to check your shoulders. Is the commander so and so going to attack me?” Kabwita asked. “And the President has re-emphasized that, if anyone from us as youths is found wanting in the bus station or market, that person is … he or she is on their own. And my youth chairman … my youth chairman for national who is in charge of the youths, Gilbert Liswaniso has also re-echoed the same stance and position of the party. And if anyone chooses to do illegality in the name of the UPND, the President has said those are criminals and people should not hesitate to report them to Police.”
