‘Corruption deep-rooted in Kasungu’

Traditional leaders in Kasungu have complained about deep rooted corruption in most communities in the district.

According to Group Village Head (GVH) Kanjuwale, villagers are suffering because of corruption perpetrated by officials working in the communities.

“People are suffering in the villages because they cannot get different services without bribing someone. Despite being poor, they are forced to dig deep into their pockets just to bribe someone to get justice from chiefs or police, to be part of social programmes or even to receive relief items,” said the chief.

Concurring with GVH Kanjuwale, Lukia Mwale of Nkanalumo in Traditional Authority (T/A) Kaomba said chiefs are also part of the corruption ring.

He alleged that chiefs receive money and other items from beneficiaries of social programmes like food for work or Farm Input Subsidy Programme (Fisp).

“The chiefs add other people on lists of beneficiaries who are not eligible after receiving kickbacks from them just to make sure they are included in the social programmes,” said Mwale.

One of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) programme community facilitators at Nkanalumo, Temweka Mhango, has blamed the problem on lack of reporting of cases to the authorities.

“People know those involved in corrupt practices, however, they are afraid of reporting to police because those doing it have authority in the villages,” said Mhango

In a bid to curb the practice, ACB has incorporated Centre for Sustainable Community Development (CSCD) to sensitise the communities on the dangers of corruption.

“There have been many cases involving people at the grassroot that have been reported,” said Sikinayi Mtenje from CSCD.