Lusaka City Council allegedly stinks with fuel scandal, as audit chair calls for probe of misappropriated 50,000 liters of fuel

Over 50,000 liters of council fuel stocks, amounting to over K1.5 million, have reportedly been siphoned and misappropriated at the Lusaka City Council (LCC).

LCC Chairperson for the Audit and Risk Committee, Mainda Simataa, called on the government to intervene immediately and suspend those involved in the scandal.

Simataa, who is also the Kamwala Ward Councillor, presented his audit findings executive summary report at the full council meeting on Wednesday, July 10, 2024.

He expressed concern that the culprits in the fuel siphoning scandal were allegedly connected to higher officials in the government.

“They are using certain individuals at the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) to protect themselves from being suspended,” Simataa claimed.

He alleged that the culprits were instigating transfers and demotions against whistleblowers at Lusaka City Council.

Simataa further expressed shock that LCC Deputy Head of Engineering, Whitney Kolombo, and Human Resource Officer, Ireen Mulenga, have been slammed with transfers.

“This is simply for asking for fuel to perform their duties at a time when Lusaka City is dirty,” he said.

Simataa noted that the city, especially the Central Business District (CBD), was facing a crisis of uncollected garbage in markets and residential areas.

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