Transparency International cautions ruling party, UPND, over politicization of CDF programme

Transparency International-Zambia (TI-Z) has cautioned United Party for National Development (UPND) Secretary General, Batuke Imenda, against politicizing the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

TIZ Executive Director, Maurice Nyambe, said it had come to the attention of the organization, through media outlets, that Imenda was on a nationwide inspection tour of CDF projects.

Nyambe said this in a statement issued in Lusaka on Monday and made available to Zambia Monitor.

He said this action, no matter how well intended, had the potential to politicize the CDF programme across the country by blurring the line between government and party activities.

“Furthermore, it is not in order for government officials to take time from their work to facilitate this nationwide tour since this is a party activity,” Nyambe said.

He said it it was very clear in both the CDF Act No. 11 of 2018 and the Guidelines, that it was the responsibility of the CDF Committee members, the Ward Development Committee (WDC) Members, the District and Provincial Heads of Departments of relevant Ministries and the Local Authority to inspect such projects.

Nyambe said TIZ was not aware of any challenges in executing this function that could justify the involvement of the UPND Secretary General.

He said the action by Mr. Katuka has the potential to highlight nepotism and clientelism in the implementation of the Programme.

“The Secretary General will certainly be accompanied by party officials and supporters, and will therefore send a message that the CDF programme and the district government and local authority officials are directly answerable to him and to the party structure,” Nyambe said.

He said, consequently, the party supporters will thereafter exercise greater influence on the officials and implementers of the CDF programme.

Nyambe added that this politicization of the programme would then discourage other citizens, affiliated to other political parties, from participation in the programme.

“The CDF should benefit all Zambians and participation should therefore be encouraged across all party lines. Any attempt to politicize the CDF programme will compromise the principle of equity, upon which the Fund was established,” he said.

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