An investigation by Breeze FM’s Mable Gershom Phiri
What was meant to be a lifeline for struggling communities has become yet another tale of broken promises and quiet corruption.
In “The Cash-for-Work Scam”, journalist Mable Gershom Phiri takes us deep into the dusty townships of Chipata Central, where government-funded community work — unblocking drainages, sweeping streets, and slashing overgrown fields — has turned into a battleground of unpaid wages, tampered lists, and alleged fraud by those meant to protect the process.
Working alongside investigative reporter Sam Phiri and drawing on audio testimonies, payment records, and undercover findings, this exposé reveals a pattern of exploitation and manipulation across wards like Masupe, Msanga, and Dilika.
At the heart of the story are people like Salome and Towela — women who endured long days of hard labour, only to discover their names had vanished from the payment lists. And then there’s Belita, who never lifted a tool but was paid anyway — thanks to a well-placed connection and a rigged system.
From Chipata to Lumezi, the scam spans districts, implicates ward committees, and reveals how a noble poverty-reduction programme has been hijacked by opportunists.
With exclusive interviews from unpaid workers, government officials, and whistleblowers — including a bold confrontation in Lumezi — this documentary peels back the layers of deceit within one of Zambia’s most visible public service initiatives.
Key revelations include:
- Dozens of legitimate workers unpaid for months — some since 2023.
- Individuals receiving payments despite never working.
- Allegations of list tampering by Ward Development Committee (WDC) members.
- Officials confronting suspected fraudsters — some caught using multiple SIM cards to draw multiple payments.
- A first-hand attempt by the investigative team to infiltrate the list.
This is more than a story of stolen wages — it’s a story of stolen trust.
- Produced by Breeze FM and MakanDay
- Field reporting: Chipata, Lumezi, Kasenengwa, and beyond
Listen to the full audio investigation now:
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