Staff Reporter
Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) aspiring Binga Rural District Council (RDC) candidates are facing disqualification over the evasion of Government taxes, rates and levies.
A source who spoke to this publication said the five aspiring candidates who include Mathius Mudenda of ward 8, Kingson Mpofu of ward 23, Wilson Siambolomba of ward 15, and Joseph Mweembe of ward 6, owe Binga RDC funds in levies, taxes and rates.
The five are said to owe amounts ranging from US$340 to over US$9 000.
Failure to pay such levies, by candidates is in contravention of the Electoral Act Chapter 2..13 Section 119 (2) (h) which stipulates that no person is qualified to contest as a Councillor when he or she is in default of any levy, rate charge or taxes due to the council.
The source further alleged that on 25 November 2022, the High Court Deputy Sheriff, Constantine Katokwe saved summons to the five aspiring candidates instructing them to appear before the electoral Court before 3 December 2022.
Meanwhile, Binga residents interviewed by this publication castigated the five CCC aspiring candidates for attempting to evade payment of levies and taxes for Binga RDC.
A Binga resident identified as Tulumbe said the CCC candidates’ actions were proof that they cannot be trusted in positions of authority as they may also attempt to cut corners when elected into office.
“Surely these CCC candidates cannot represent us considering that they cannot handle their own personal affairs. How can they administer our funds when they do not see the importance of paying the rates,” said Tulumbe.
A fish vendor, Tembinkosi Dube who sympathised with the five CCC candidates said life was full of curves but failure to pay was not an excuse. She also suggested that the five withdraw their bid to contest.
“It is regrettable that these CCC candidates are involved in evading taxes and levies. I therefore, think that these candidates should withdraw from this race and clean-up their affairs then give it a try in other by-elections to come in the future because we need people we can trust in office,” said Dube.
Efforts to get hold of the five candidates proved futile as all of their phones were not reachable.
