Minister accused of nepotism in Constituency Development Fund allocation

By Pamela Kapekele & Chali Mulenga

The distribution of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) in Livingstone has been marred by allegations suggestive of nepotism, corruption, and biased grant allocation, prompting residents to demand transparency and accountability.

At the centre of these accusations is Member of Parliament and Minister of Tourism, Rodney Sikumba, whose family members and close associates, largely affiliated with the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) party, are purportedly the main beneficiaries of CDF grants, loans, and scholarships.

In an interview with MakanDay, Sikumba emphasised that he had no influence over the awarding of contracts. He stated that if any members of his family were granted contracts, it occurred through an independent procurement process.

“I don’t have control on who gets the contracts,” Sikumba responded.

While Sikumba does not individually choose the beneficiaries of the CDF, he does have a role in appointing members of the CDF committee. This committee includes, among other members, two community members appointed by him. Additionally, out of the three councilors on the committee, one is appointed by the MP.

The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development appoints the remaining members.

The CDF committee operates in accordance with the regulations outlined in the Constituency Development Fund Act No. 11 of 2018.

Among its responsibilities, the committee deliberates on project proposals from the wards. Additionally, it is tasked with developing and presenting a comprehensive project list to the local authority for subsequent transmission to the Minister of Local Government.

Familial ties in Livingstone

In Livingstone, familial connections are evident in various CDF allocations. Yvonne Sikumba, the MP’s sister, was awarded a contract to construct a maternity annex at Maramba Clinic. Additionally, Santos Kandundwe, a trusted family friend, reportedly received CDF grants.

Another close associate, Innocent Mwiinga, secured contracts for projects like the construction of Mwandi Police Post and the supply of school desks. However, concerns have arisen regarding his failure to fulfill these obligations, raising significant doubts about accountability in the fund’s management.

Moreover, Josephine Sikumba, another relative of the MP, was identified among the contractors paid by the Livingstone City Council for desk supply but failed to meet the stipulated deadline of December 31, 2023.

MakanDay contacted Yvonne for a comment, to which she responded with “no comment,” while others ignored our calls. However, the Livingstone Constituency CDF Chairperson, Christopher Siamwenya bluntly declined to provide a comment, stating, “I do not have any information to share with you”.

More unanswered questions

Out of the mandated 5,000 school desks to be provided under the CDF in 2023, only 450 have been delivered by the contracted 20 suppliers, revealing a substantial deficit in addressing educational requirements.

According to Livingstone City Council spokesperson Melvin Mukela, merely four out of the 20 contracted firms have fulfilled their commitments (by December 31, 2023, which was the deadline), indicating widespread irregularities in the procurement process.

Mukela emphasised to MakanDay that the council’s primary concern lies in ensuring proper documentation for contracts rather than the personal affiliations of those executing the projects.

“When selecting contractors, our focus is solely on their Zambian nationality. We do not consider their origins, political affiliations, or relations. Our criterion is based solely on their status as Zambian contractors,” Mukela clarified. “Accusations of favouring politically-aligned individuals would be unjustified.”

?Suspected political influence

Concerns regarding political influence intensified when it came to light that 16 contractors, with political affiliations to the UPND, did not fulfill their desk delivery obligations, attributing excuses like adverse weather conditions during the rainy season. Consequently, the matter was escalated to the Anti-Corruption Commission for investigation.

The MP’s apparent failure to disclose vested interests in these affairs has heightened concerns regarding transparency.

In the previous year, loans granted to companies associated with councilors in Livingstone were rescinded following their failure to disclose conflicts of interest, leading to inquiries regarding disparate treatment of various officials.

The disclosure of a carpentry workshop operating at Sikumba’s deceased grandmother’s property in Livingstone’s Nottie Broad, reportedly used for desk manufacturing, introduces another dimension of doubt to the scenario.

Livingstone resident Thomas Daka voiced his dismay, characterising the CDF as a mechanism for the UPND to allocate government resources among its supporters, thereby rendering it inaccessible to individuals lacking political connections.

Siamwenya, chairman of the CDF committee and also serving as the UPND district chairman for Livingstone (who notably acted as Sikumba’s campaign manager in 2021), adds another layer of complexity by occupying dual roles, blurring the boundaries between political allegiance and fund allocation.

The shifting stance of the UPND regarding access to CDF loans—from initially discouraging close associates of fund recipients to advocating for broader accessibility—raises concerns regarding consistency and impartiality in fund allocation.

Phil Musela, UPND Livingstone district youth chairperson for politics and security, conveyed to MakanDay that the party leadership’s familial ties should not hinder access to CDF loans and other funding opportunities.

“In accordance with President Hakainde Hichilema’s stance, CDF is for all Zambians, regardless of their political affiliations, be it PF, UPND, Socialist Party, or any other,” Musela said in a recorded interview.

“Frankly, if the MP is my relative and I am a Zambian with proper documentation, I am eligible to apply for a loan. Being related to the MP or the President does not disqualify me from accessing CDF,” he added.

Background

The “New Dawn” government’s initiative prioritises decentralisation as a means to empower citizens, alleviate poverty, and stimulate job creation through local engagement. A key aspect of this strategy is the CDF, which was established in 1995 to support micro-community projects. It was later formalised in the Constitution in 2016, followed by the enactment of the Constituency Development Fund Act in 2018.

Expanded overtime, the CDF now covers community projects, youth and women empowerment, and education initiatives. Budget allocations to the CDF have increased consistently, reaching K30.6 million per constituency in the 2024 budget.

While the enhanced CDF holds promise for grassroots economic transformation, concerns raised by observers like the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) include issues of transparency, accountability, and political interference.

In a press statement dated September 30, 2023, JCTR pointed out several challenges related to the use of CDF resources, including “numerous executive directives” that compromise community participation in the CDF.

Additionally, political influence in the implementation of the CDF, where it has been used as a campaign tool by politicians, was highlighted as another significant challenge facing CDF implementation.

Our findings

MakanDay’s own investigations has revealed significant barriers for non-politically affiliated residents in accessing CDF funding, with bureaucratic hurdles and favouritism presenting substantial obstacles.

Cases of favouritism towards the ruling party, evidenced by underperforming suppliers with political ties, cast doubt on the integrity of the CDF allocation process, underscoring the urgent need for the enforcement of transparency and accountability measures.

Chali Mulenga is a journalist based in Livingstone

Main Image Source | CDF Guidelines