Mon, 25 Dec 2017 13:05:04 +0000
By ROGERS KALERO
FORMER Patriotic Front (PF) Chamboli ward councillor Sydney Njovu says he is disappointed that the name of his successor Mike Zulu is being mentioned in a case where somebody has encroached on Lukasu Primary School playing ground.
But, when contacted for a comment, Mr Zulu told the Daily Nation Journalist to go and report whatever he wanted.
Mr Njovu said during his term as Chamboli ward councillor, he fought hard to stop the encroachment on Lukasu Primary School ground, but was now disappointed that his successor had allowed the encroachment on the school grounds.
Mr Njovu said attempts to encroach on the Lukasu Primary School playing ground started a long time ago, but they were always thwarted by the school authorities, the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) at Lukasu Primary School with his support when he was councillor.
“As I said earlier, people have always been trying to encroach on the school playing ground, but when I was councillor I refused to that idea. There was time when I went physically to remove beacons which were put there by some people.
“But am surprised that my successor is mentioned, that he allowed the encroachment on the school playground. As former councillor, I do not support that, you can even quote me that, I am not happy. In fact Lukasu happens to be my former school,” Mr Njovu said.
But when contacted, Mr Zulu said the reporter was free to write whatever he wanted about the encroachment on the school grounds. Area Member of Parliament (MP) Pavyuma Kalobo confirmed that he had received complaints from people regarding the encroachment on the school playing ground, but needed to talk to the ward councillor and the Head teacher before he could make a comment. “Yes, I have heard that story, people are complaining about the encroachment on the school playground and the name of the councillor is being mentioned, but I can’t comment because I need to go and check whether it is true there is encroachment or not.
“From that, that is when I will talk to the councillor and the head teacher. But one important thing is that, as leaders, let us learn to use sober and good language to people. “We should engage people with respect because they are the people we serve,” Mr Kalobo said.
Last month, on November 14, the PTA Lukasu Primary School PTA chairman Morgan Chansa Lukasu said he was disappointed that the Kitwe City Council (KCC) had allocated three residential plots on the school playing grounds.
He said the issue of encroaching on the school premises was a worrying development because it was an indication that people had no regard for government institution.