Makanday Centre for Investigative Journalism

15/08/2025

Bribery on the Roads: The Hidden Killer in Lusaka’s Transport System

In this special report, Lucy Nambela exposes the deadly consequences of bribery on Lusaka’s roads. The investigation reveals how routine cash-for-leniency exchanges are fuelling a culture of impunity—endangering lives and undermining the integrity of the transport system.

Lucy is an investigative journalist based in Lusaka

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mn-765UWa4g

13/08/2025

CDF ‘Boreholes for Sale’ Scandal

By Ennety Munshya,

How public boreholes in Kapiri Mposhi Constituency are being sold to citizens who should access them for free

In the remote village in Kampumba Ward in Zambia’s Kapiri Mposhi Constituency, farmer Goodson Chimena traded away two bulls and a calf — not for land or farm equipment, but for something far more basic: clean water.

“I gave them two bulls and a calf because my family had no water,” Chimena.

Like many in his rural community, Chimena had grown weary of walking long distances to fetch water from muddy streams shared with animals. So when word spread that boreholes were being drilled nearby, hope surged. But there was a catch — the water, though already paid for by the government through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), came at an additional cost.

In a scheme fueled by deception and desperation, local officials — including a ward councillor and members of the Ward Development Committee — allegedly turned public boreholes into private profits, demanding cash or livestock in exchange for access to infrastructure already meant for everyone.

What unfolded next was a trail of lies, illegal sales, and broken trust, exposing a system where those tasked with delivering development instead sold it off — one borehole at a time.

Victims paid in cash or livestock

Community members were misled into paying up to K25,000 in cash or livestock, some as many as three cows, to own the boreholes.

Victims visited by MakanDay including Elisha Mulangana, Chimena, and Grace Kangala, in Kampumba Ward in Kapiri Mposhi Constituency, only later discovered that the boreholes were publicly funded.

Mulangana told MakanDay that he paid K22,000 in cash, a negotiated amount down from the initial K25,000, to have a water point installed in his yard.

He explained that Collet Londe, a member of the WDC, contacted him to say water points were available for a fee. Londe initially quoted K25,000, but they settled on K22,000 after negotiations, as the payment was to be made collectively with others.

“I was told these boreholes were not from CDF, that they had just sourced them from somewhere else,” said Mulangana.

He added that four days later after the phone conversation, the councilor also called and told him to prepare for the drilling but warned him "not to tell anyone".

On October 30, 2024, the councillor and a WDC member, identified as Best Choongo, visited Mulangana’s home to inspect and select the drilling site.

He explained that upon discovering the installation was part of a publicly funded CDF project, he requested a refund. He was told they could only return K5,000, which he refused, insisting on a full reimbursement.

“I’m not happy. This was not a straightforward transaction. Corruption like this prevents real development,” he said. “They should return my money.”

In another case, livestock was used as payment. Chimena told MakanDay he gave the councillor two bulls and one smaller cow, estimating their total value at K33,000, in exchange for a water point.

After initially saying he had no money, the councillor allegedly accepted the animals as payment following negotiations.

“When I gave him one bull, he refused and said that wasn’t enough. I added a second, and then a smaller cow for the drilling team,” Chimena said.

He later realised the water point was part of the CDF-funded public project when the District Commissioner (DC) visited to inspect it.

Chimena was summoned to a meeting with the DC, traditional leaders, and other affected residents, but the councillor denied the allegations, and no resolution was reached.

Similarly, Grace Kangala, an elderly woman, said she gave up two bulls to the councillor for a borehole after struggling to access clean water for her family. They had been walking long distances to draw water, often from unsafe sources shared with livestock.

“Now that I know the boreholes were meant for the entire community, I want my animals back,” she said.

According to data accessed by MakanDay from the Kapiri Mposhi Town Council website, 38 community projects were initially approved under the 2024 CDF, at a cost of K16,360,000. However, the 2024 Community Projects Progress Report later listed 39 projects with a revised total cost of K17,277,200.

Among the listed projects was a contract awarded to Intel Engineering Limited for the drilling of 12 boreholes in Kampumba Ward, covering ten villages. The contract, worth K764,653, included borehole drilling, pump testing, hand pump installation, and associated civil works. As of 6th April 2025, the project was marked as complete.

Despite this, allegations have emerged that some of the boreholes—fully funded by the CDF—were sold to individuals for personal use.

When contacted on August 8 2025, Councillor Bruce Kalinda denied any wrongdoing, saying all boreholes were drilled based on WDC plans.

He maintained that his role was limited to confirming the need for water points in specific communities. However, during follow-up calls, Kalinda referred the matter to Kapiri Mposhi MP Stanley Kakubo, who was with him at the time of the call.

MP Kakubo acknowledged the councillor’s affiliation with the ruling UPND and advised that any questions be formally submitted to the local authority for an official response.

WDC member Londe, who is also implicated, has had his phone switched off.

CDF Chairperson Mute Kabamba confirmed awareness of the reports but said action could not be taken until a full investigation was conducted.

Meanwhile, District Commissioner Francis Hasalama confirmed that the district administration is looking into the matter but said they were not in a position to issue a formal statement pending the outcome of ongoing investigations.

The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR), a Catholic faith-based organisation, says access to information remains one of the biggest challenges for civil society groups monitoring the implementation and use of CDF resources.

JCTR Programmes Officer John Sauti, whose organisation has monitored several CDF projects, cited persistent issues such as project delays, conflicts of interest—undermining the quality of works—and the politicisation of projects.

Fellow Programmes Officer Martin Sikonda added that, in many cases, councilors and Members of Parliament dominate the project selection process, restricting genuine community participation and sidelining local priorities.

“Conflict of interest in some areas we have monitored has negatively affected the quality and standards of work delivered,” Sauti said. “Those sitting on committees are also among the bidders. They fail to declare interest, and with no one to supervise or provide checks and balances — since they are part of the authorities — accountability is lost.”

11/08/2025

After 23-Year Battle for the Throne, Chief Nkana VIII Still Denied Official Recognition

By Charles Mafa

Paul Lubunga stood outside his palace in Chembe, a remote part of Lufwanyama district about 13 kilometres from Kalulushi town, casually chatting with one of his indunas. The late afternoon sun cast a warm glow across the quiet landscape. Despite the calm scene, behind Lubunga’s composed demeanor lies a two-decade-long struggle for justice, identity, and rightful leadership.

On April 19, 2024, Lubunga was installed as Chief Nkana the eighth (VIII), ending a 23-year succession dispute that fractured the Nkana Royal Establishment innLufwanyama and divided communities. His installation in line with the Lamba customs, was facilitated by Senior Chieftainess Mushili, and was backed by a court ruling.

While the Zambian government officially recognises Mushili as a senior chief, the Lamba people regard her as the paramount chief of all Lambas in both Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to traditional hierarchy, Chief Nkana ranks directly below Chief Mushili.

Yet, despite his formal installation in 2024, Chief Nkana’s victory remains incomplete.

“We performed all the necessary procedures as guided by Senior Chief Mushili. Once the selection was done, I underwent the traditional ritual known as Kampolo, where I was taught all the necessary rules — the dos and don’ts of being a chief. After that, I was formally presented to the public as their new chief, with the declaration that from that moment onwards, I would be their leader,” he explained in an interview with MakanDay at his home in Kalulushi.

Despite recognition under both tradition and law, Lubunga is denied the full rights and benefits of his chieftaincy by the government — including a salary, an official residence, and the authority to preside over traditional and administrative matters in his chiefdom.

According to the Constitutional Court of Zambia’s ruling in Webby Mulubisha vs Attorney General delivered on 27 November 2019, Sections 3 to 7(2) of the Chiefs Act (Chapter 287 of the Laws of Zambia) on the recognition of chiefs were found to be inconsistent with Article 165 of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016. The Court held that Article 165 prohibits any legislation from regulating the institution of chieftaincy, rendering the cited provisions unconstitutional.

eng@2019-11-27" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://zambialii.org/akn/zm/judgment/zmcc/2019/17/eng@2019-11-27

At stake also is the future of the chiefdom, located in Lufwanyama in Zambia’s Copperbelt Province—home to Kagem, the world’s largest emerald mine. Kagem produces roughly a quarter of the world’s rough emeralds, employs close to 1,600 people, and is 25% owned by Zambia’s state-run Industrial Development Corporation.

In previous reports, we highlighted that in a November 2024 investor update, Gemfields stated the mine has contributed US$195.1 million to the Zambian treasury in taxes, royalties, and dividends since 2008.

The succession dispute began in 1999, following the death of the previous chief, Senior Chief Nkana, Mr. Mutupa. Tensions escalated in 2022 when Godfrey Shamanena allegedly controversially declared himself Chief Nkana, prompting a renewed round of legal battles.

Backed by many in the royal family, Lubunga challenged Shamanena’s claim and fought a long, costly court fight to reclaim what he says is his ancestral role.

While the throne has been restored through tradition and law, Chief Nkana VIII’s authority remains in limbo—still awaiting official government recognition.

In its ruling, the High Court found that Shamanena’s appointment had violated Lamba customs. The court declared that, until a rightful chief was installed, the Nkana throne remained vacant.

Under Lamba tradition, the Abena Mbushi are custodians responsible for installing a chief from the Abena Mashishi clan.

According to minutes from the selection meeting held at St. Joseph Mission and reviewed by MakanDay, Lubunga was nominated by three royal families—Lubunga, Chifutula, and Kabende. His nomination was later ratified and confirmed by the Abena Mashishi male elders. The installation ceremony took place on April 19, 2024.

Records seen by MakanDay show that in 2022, Lubunga had already been unanimously selected by the queen mothers. However, that process was disrupted when Shamanena installed himself without following established traditional procedures.

When the royal families rejected him as their rightful chief, Shamanena took them to court for interference. On December 14, 2012, the High Court ruled against him, declaring that he was not the legitimate Chief Nkana and that the throne remained vacant.

In a later twist, during a second succession process, Shamanena again claimed the throne—this time fraudulently. The royal families returned to court, and on January 13, 2023, following the High Court ruling, Senior Chieftainess Mushili convened all royal families.

Lubunga was, for the third time, unanimously selected as Chief Nkana.

Now, despite community support, court validation, and traditional installation, Chief Nkana VIII continues to wait—his leadership recognised by his people, yet ignored by the state.

“To me, I represent the head of the Lamba tribe, and to the people of Chief Nkana, I am a symbol of wisdom and order in the chiefdom,” said Chief Nkana.

The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, which oversees traditional leadership in Zambia, has yet to respond to MakanDay’s request for comment on the matter.

One of the paragraphs in the story has been amended to read: Despite recognition under both tradition and law, Lubunga is denied the full rights and benefits of his chieftaincy by the government — including a salary, an official residence, and the authority to preside over traditional and administrative matters in his chiefdom.

08/08/2025

More than Just Driving: How Mufulira’s CDF Bursary Was Hijacked

By Kennedy Mbewe | MakanDay Investigates

A recent MakanDay investigation has uncovered glaring irregularities in the allocation of the 2025 Constituency Development Fund (CDF) driving bursaries in Mufulira, pointing to possible corruption, political influence, and data tampering.

Records reviewed from the three constituencies—Kankoyo, Kantanshi, and Mufulira Central—show that two driving schools, Libati and Road Range, enrolled 542 out of 589 students selected for government-sponsored lessons, representing 92% of all beneficiaries. The remaining four schools shared only 47 students (8%).

The investigation raises serious concerns about potential favouritism and abuse of public funds, with allegations that the two favoured institutions have ties to the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND). Both schools have denied any political affiliation.

Other Key Findings

Alleged Political Influence & Kickbacks

MakanDay established that Road Range Driving School is operating from a property owned by Councillor Garry Kawayo, who also faces allegations of occasionally serving as an instructor—a claim he denies. Multiple sources allege that councillors and members of the Ward Development Committees (WDCs) demanded bribes in exchange for directing students to specific driving schools.

Data Tampering & Ghost Entries

A random check of over 50 contact numbers linked to student guardians revealed fake or inactive numbers, individuals unaware their details had been used, a student falsely listed as an orphan who was actually the son of a WDC member, and a man listed as guardian for two students he did not know. One man found himself listed as guardian for two unknown students.

Mixed Reactions from Officials

Reactions from officials were mixed, with Mufulira Central CDF Chairperson Andrew Msiska admitting there may have been an oversight, while Kantanshi CDF Chairperson Fr Francis Mufwaya, a Catholic priest, dismissed the allegations as unfounded, and Council PR Manager Thandiwe Tembo maintained that all allocations followed official guidelines and no formal complaints had been received.

Training Capacity Concerns

Students raised concerns about delays in their training, citing a shortage of vehicles, with some schools reportedly operating with only one truck. Despite the programme being fully funded by the CDF, some students alleged they were asked to pay an additional K2,000 to complete their lessons.

Whistleblower Account

A sidelined driving school owner alleged that some Ward Development Committee (WDC) members and councillors demanded kickbacks, offering to channel students to his institution in exchange for payment. He said he reported the matter to then-Minister of Local Government Garry Nkombo, which led to a temporary suspension of the CDF programme in Mufulira, although no lasting reforms were implemented.

07/08/2025

Traditional Healer Faces Child Trafficking Charges

By MakanDay Editor

The recent court appearance of Chilufya Chileya, 52—widely known as Kalonga Kanono, a well-known traditional healer based in Lusaka—has brought renewed urgency to our investigation. He is now facing charges of human trafficking, with disturbing links to the exploitation of minors.

On July 26, Chileya appeared before Resident Magistrate Amy Masoja, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges. Chileya, a businessman of Makeni Villa, is jointly charged with Natasha Chileshe, 21, and Ebba Chileshe, 32, also from Makeni in Lusaka.

The trio faces charges of child trafficking, contrary to Section 3A (1) of the Anti-Human Trafficking (Amendment) Act No. 16 of 2022 of the Laws of Zambia.

The Allegations

It is alleged that Chileya and his co-accused targeted young girls between the ages of 13 and 16, exploiting their vulnerability through promises of love, protection, and financial support. Critics say Chileya used his spiritual influence to win the trust of these minors, offering them attention and affection they may have lacked elsewhere.

According to the charge sheet, on June 2, 2024, in Lusaka, the three accused—acting together—trafficked a 15-year-old girl within Zambia for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

Why This Matters

MakanDay first reported in January this year on similar allegations involving Chileya. At the time, multiple accounts emerged suggesting that he was preying on vulnerable teenage girls under the guise of care and protection.

https://makanday.org/traditional-healer-faces-alarming-allegations-of-child-exploitation/?amp=1&fbclid=IwQ0xDSwMBcgxleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHu_6Dqvqw0I9lVtZYGQX0MDrt-cUEM4sSW6VoFsgJBPZ-KHPckfEKavFedhG_aem_1qc_DE56FXRPMKTTY0dRJw

In one case, a 15-year-old girl, whose identity is protected, shared her troubling experience. She said Chileya, who lives in her neighbourhood, had been pursuing her for some time—regularly stopping her on the street to compliment her appearance and asking her to get into his vehicle, which she consistently refused.

She further revealed that he somehow obtained her phone number and began calling, texting, and sending money—all unsolicited. Feeling threatened and uncomfortable, she eventually confided in her mother.

This court case, now in motion, underscores the grave and often hidden nature of child exploitation under the guise of cultural or spiritual authority. MakanDay remains committed to following the developments and exposing those who exploit vulnerable children for personal gain.

06/08/2025

Unanswered Questions at ACC

By Mukwima Chilala

An alleged internal cover-up at Zambia’s anti-graft body, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), has come to light, involving the disappearance of over K700,000 that had been seized as exhibit money in a high-profile bribery case.

The case dates back to 2020, when a mining company allegedly attempted to bribe a Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) officer with K1 million in exchange for writing off a tax debt.

According to court documents obtained by MakanDay, Peter Samboko, Managing Director of All Company Zambia, allegedly offered the bribe to a ZRA official in the Debt Recovery Unit as inducement to reduce the company’s outstanding tax liability.

The attempt was reported by then ZRA Commissioner General Kingsley Chanda, prompting a sting operation by a combined team from the Zambia Police, ACC, and ZRA at StayEasy Hotel in Levy Mall, Lusaka. Samboko was reportedly arrested at the scene, found in possession of K1 million cash in a bag.

The money was seized and secured in the ACC’s exhibit safe. However, despite the bribe money being collected as evidence, Samboko was never prosecuted.

Two years later, it was discovered that most of the exhibit money had gone missing—only K295,000 remained. The ACC failed to provide a clear explanation, and no transparent investigation was carried out to determine how or when the funds disappeared.

In response, two ACC officers—Clement Chansa, an investigations officer, and Paul Phiri, the exhibit officer—were charged and later convicted by the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court, despite the case lacking solid evidence.

They were convicted of theft by public servant, contrary to Sections 267 and 272 of the Penal Code, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

Chansa appealed and was acquitted by the High Court, which found there was no evidence linking him to the offence. His co-accused, Phiri, is still serving a prison sentence—raising concerns that he may have been used as a scapegoat.

A panel of three judges—Justices Pixie Yangailo, Ian Mabbolobbolo, and Sililo Siloka—on November 20, 2024, found, among other things, that the lower court had erred both in law and in fact when it concluded that the prosecution had proved the case against Chansa beyond reasonable doubt. The judges noted that the record showed no evidence to establish the material and essential elements of the offence for which Chansa was convicted.

Despite being cleared, Chansa has not been reinstated or compensated. Both ACC management and the board have ignored his appeals for reinstatement.

ACC board chairperson Judge Evans Hamaundu, speaking through the commission’s director of investigations, Raymond Chibobola, confirmed that theft of exhibits had occurred within the institution. He assured the public that the Commission has since implemented measures to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

However, neither Chibobola nor Judge Hamaundu could explain why Chansa has not been reinstated despite being acquitted of all charges.

Samboko was never formally charged, and neither he nor his company, All Company Zambia, was included in the theft case before the courts.
According to an insider familiar with the matter, corruption allegations involving Samboko were dropped after he disappeared and abandoned his post.

The insider revealed that there had been an attempt to settle the case out of court—an application the Commission strongly opposed.

However, the ACC was unable to proceed with the case, as Samboko has since vanished and remains untraceable. The matter has now been closed due to his disappearance.

MakanDay has also been unable to locate Samboko, who appears to have erased all traces of his digital presence.

Brighton Tembo, Executive Director of the Community Action Against Corruption Commission, says the case raises serious questions about the ACC’s integrity and casts doubt on its commitment to the fight against corruption.

Mukwima is a journalist based in Lusaka

05/08/2025

More Than Just Driving Lessons

How political influence and data tampering plague Mufulira’s CDF

By Kennedy Mbewe

Two driving schools in Mufulira—Libati and Road Range—enrolled over 540 out of 589 students under the 2025 CDF driving bursary, raising serious concerns about favouritism and possible corruption. Allegations have surfaced that the proprietors of both schools are linked to the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND)—claims they have strongly denied.

Records from three constituencies in Mufulira district—Kankoyo, Kantanshi, and Mufulira Central, accessed by MakanDay, show that although 589 students were selected for CDF-sponsored driving lessons. Of these, 542 were placed at just two institutions—Libati and Road Range driving schools.

Driving School Students Distribution
Libati Driving School 328
Road Range Driving School 214
Nirvana, Better Choice, Mopani, & Exodus 47
Total 589

MakanDay’s investigation found fake contacts, ghost guardians, and students linked to officials. One school operates from a councillor’s premises. Another source alleges councilors and Ward Development Committee (WDC) members demanded kickbacks to direct students to specific schools.

A random sample check was conducted by calling over 50 contact numbers listed for students’ guardians. The findings were alarming - several phone numbers were inactive or did not exist, while others belonged to individuals who had no knowledge their details had been used. Some were shocked to find themselves listed as guardians for students they had never heard of.

“That’s not my name. I don’t have a child learning driving in Mufulira,” one woman said.

“I’m in Ndola. My child is 17 and still in secondary school. I don’t know how my number appears twice,” said another man, listed as guardian for two different students.

In one case, MakanDay established that a student listed as an orphan who lost both parents was actually the son of a WDC member, who had applied for two of his children using the same contact number.

Amid growing concerns over alleged irregularities in the allocation of CDF skills bursaries in Mufulira, local officials have offered mixed responses. Mufulira Central CDF Chairperson Andrew Msiska defended the allocation process, insisting it was done fairly. However, when questioned about ghost names and mismatched or fake phone numbers, he admitted there might have been a planning oversight.

“You never put numbers where they don’t belong—that would be wrong. I think it was an oversight,” he said. “You’ve opened up my mind. I need to speak with the Planning Director at the council.”

Meanwhile, Kantanshi CDF Chairperson Fr Francis Mufwaya dismissed the allegations as baseless, insisting that all decisions were made using verified information submitted through the WDCs and reviewed by the constituency secretariat.

If the selection of Libati and Road Range was not based on transparent criteria as alleged, it raises concerns about unfair competitive advantage, possibly through political connections or corrupt arrangements.

“It’s like they want to use these two institutions to channel government money and go and share it. We suspect a councilor is involved,” complained the proprietor of one of the driving schools in Mufulira.

A more startling finding is that the Mufulira branch of Road Range Driving School—whose head office is in Ndola—is operating from premises belonging to Maina Soko Ward Councillor Garry Kawayo, whose ward falls in Kantanshi Constituency. This arrangement has raised suspicions of collusion among some observers.

It is also alleged that Kawayo occasionally serves as an instructor for the driving school—an accusation he denied.

He also said that he was not involved in selecting students for the driving lessons, describing the accusation as baseless. He further added that he had been a businessman even before becoming a councillor.

“I’m a businessman. I own shops, and behind those shops there is a garage and a warehouse that belongs to my father, which Road Range is renting,” he explained.

MakanDay visited Mufulira and interviewed a local driving school owner who described how some officials allegedly solicit kickbacks linked to the CDF skills training programme.

He said when the CDF skills component began, several councillors, WDC members, and constituency chairpersons approached him proposing that they channel students to his school in exchange for payments. He said they even suggested he pays them in advance before they delivered the students. He refused, warning that such an arrangement would be corrupt and could lead to arrests and jail terms.

He said that after he refused, his school was sidelined from receiving CDF-sponsored skills students.

“In 2022-23 I wrote to then Minister of Local Government, Garry Nkombo, to report what was happening in Mufulira regarding the CDF bursary for skills training,” he said.

The source added that CDF disbursements for skills in Mufulira were temporarily suspended to address the issues he raised, though he could not recall for how many months the suspension lasted. A meeting was reportedly held, and council officials promised to correct the problems—but he said nothing changed.

A Ward Development Committee (WDC) treasurer in Chibolya expressed shock that two driving schools—Road Range and Libati—received the majority of CDF-sponsored students, contrary to what had been submitted from his ward.

“I saw students submit acceptance letters from different driving schools, including those we recommended as a WDC. How two schools ended up dominating, I don’t know,” he told MakanDay during a visit to Mufulira.

At Road Range Driving School, MakanDay observed a Volvo truck and trailer undergoing maintenance, while a light Canter truck used for C1 lessons was parked. Several students, sponsored under CDF and learning CE and C1, were found waiting for practical sessions.

“I’ve been learning CE for three months under CDF sponsorship. I should finish soon and will then wait to be helped with getting a driver’s license,” said one female student.

Here is a table version of the driving course fees from Road Range:

Course Fee (ZMW)
CE 6,500
Class C 5,000
Class C1 3,500
Class B 2,200

Each course is meant to run for 24 days, with 35-minute sessions each day. But because there are only two training vehicles and many students, some have been in training for more than three months.

“Yes, we are many, so they split us into groups. That’s why it’s taking longer than planned,” another student explained.

Victoria Njobvu, a receptionist at Road Range, said the school received over 200 CDF-sponsored students, although more than 50 never reported.

“The council came and collected names of those who didn’t show up to block them and make space for replacements in August,” she said.

At Libati Driving School, located in a garage within Mufulira town, several vehicles—including a Volvo truck, a Rosa bus, and a light truck—were seen conducting lessons. An instructor confirmed they too received over 200 CDF students, though some did not report.

“We have the capacity and segment students into groups. Many have already completed and left,” he said.

Some parents have raised concerns about the capacity of the selected driving schools.

“My children are still at home. Road Range told them their only training vehicle, a Canter light truck, has broken down,” one mother complained.

Others reported being asked to pay an additional K2,000 to help with obtaining a driver’s licence—despite the programme supposedly covering all costs.

“The school said the CDF money isn’t enough, which is why they’re asking for extra payments,” said another parent.

When contacted, Mufulira Council officials referred MakanDay to the Public Relations Unit. In a written response, Public Relations Manager Thandiwe Tembo said that student allocations to driving schools were based on applications received through WDCs, in line with the 2022 CDF guidelines, which set no limit on enrolments. She added that the council had received no formal or informal complaints and urged the public to report any concerns.

However, the owner of a local driving school, who had earlier raised concerns, rejected Tembo’s explanation. He said he disagreed with Madam Thandi’s claims, insisting that the selection process was biased. While he acknowledged that the council relies on submitted lists, he argued that the real issue lies at the ward level, where Ward Development Committees allegedly collude with councilors to alter application forms.

“Unlike in rural councils where chiefs’ representatives are involved and the process is fair, CDF skills selection in Mufulira has not been transparent,” he said.

Libati Driving School Principal and owner, Mulemwa Njamba, and Trust Malambo, Director of Road Range Driving School, denied having any links to the ruling party. Both said that their institutions are accredited by the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA), a requirement for eligibility under the CDF skills training programme.

“I had more students last year than this year. I’m not affiliated with the UPND — I’m just an ordinary person,” said Njamba.

Malambo added: “I don’t belong to any political party. I’m simply a businessman running a training institute. We did our groundwork early, which helped us attract that number of students. In fact, some schools have enrolled even more students than we have,” he said, though he did not name the schools.

When asked why the Road Range Mufulira branch is operating from property owned by Councillor Kawayo, Malambo said: “I pay rent and have a tenancy agreement. I have no dealings with the councillor.”

The government considers the CDF a vital tool for delivering resources directly to communities. It comprises three key components - community projects, youth, women, and community empowerment and secondary boarding school and skills development bursaries.

In addition to driving, the CDF skills bursary programme supports a wide range of vocational and technical courses, including engineering, agriculture, fashion and design, construction trades, heavy equipment operation, and health-related technologies.

Kennedy is a talented journalist based in Kitwe at Radio Icengelo. He is currently on a three-month paid internship at MakanDay after he emerged second in the prestigious 2024 MakanDay Media Awards.

Makanday Centre for Investigative Journalism - Zambia

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