NKANDU

By ALICK MVULA-
THE National Traders and Marketeers Association of Zambia (NATMAZ) have reported the de-registered Zambia National Marketeers Association (ZANAMA) to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for alleged fraud.
NATMAZ president Goodson Mofya said it was concerned with the collection of levies from traders and marketeers at Chisokone Market by a de-registered organisation under the cover of the Kitwe City Council (KCC)
In a letter dated September 30, this year to the ACC jointly signed by Mr Mofya and Secretary General Chrispin Musunka and made available to the Times, NATMAZ accused ZANAMA of allegedly working with some council officials in collecting electricity levies.
Mr Mofya said it was discovered that there were two receipt books currently being issued, one appeared to be original and bearing KCC and another appearing fake but also bearing KCC.
“NATMAZ has learnt with profound regret and shock over the secretive-cartel of collecting electricity levies (cash) from traders at Chisokone market by a de-registered organisation under the cover of the local authority,” he said.
Mr Mofya wondered why ZANAMA which was de-registered in 2012 would grant itself the mandate of collecting funds from marketeers without the knowledge of the local authority.
KCC and NATMAZ held a meeting on October 6 this year to discuss the issue and the association insisted that it would not allow the collection of funds by a taskforce that was put in place until the matter was settled, as assured by KCC.
He appealed to law enforcement agencies to take keen interest in the issue and help restore order and sanity at one of the biggest market in the country.
But former ZANAMA president Elvis Nkandu denied that ZANAMA was collecting electricity levies at the market.
Mr Nkandu said it was not possible that ZESCO and KCC would allow the collection of levies from traders.
“Let  sleeping dogs lie,  since 2011 we have never collected any money for ZESCO, council or anybody, we have been quiet and we are not interested in anything concerning our old works,” he said
He said ZANAMA offered knowledgeable and brilliant ideas to the traders to improve their well being and could not be compared to NATMAZ.
KCC spokesperson Dorothy Sampa refused to comment on the issue.
Power was cut at Chisokone market for three days due to the accumulating unpaid electricity bills that the market owed.