Dear Editor,SINCE time immemorial, Zesco and other State- owned enterprises have been subjected to regular political abuse.If it is not turning them into cash-cows by hijacking the procurement process, they are used as employers of; wives, siblings and relatives.The overstaffing affecting these institutions is among others, a result of this regu- lar political pressure, where parastatals are forced to “cre- ate” employment and employ as many of these relatives to politicians, as possible.It is for this reason that the appointment of Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Chipoka Mulenga’s wife, Likonge Makai Mulenga as Board Chairperson of the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) and the appointment of Shesippie Banda Nzovu, spouse to Minister of Green Economy Eng. Collins Nzovu, as Head of Procurement, raises a stormy debate.While supporters of Government may justify that the persons involved are qualified, this doesn’t take away the fact that, the persons in- volved have benefitted from the historical and perpetua- […]
Appointment of wives, relatives to State-owned enterprises
