Mrs. Mwanakatwe has been widely condemned for taking up her ministerial appointment despite owing the CEEC a lot of money. Aluworks Industries Limited, a company co-owned by Mr and Mrs. Mwanakatwe was in 2009 awarded a loan of K945,000 (rebased) from CEEC and the loan is still active on the CEEC loan book. THE Jesuit Centre for Theological reflection (JCTR) has condemned minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Magarate Mwanaktawe for taking up her current ministerial position despite her owing the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC).
Speaking in an interview with the Lusaka Star, JCTR director Leonard Chiti said the current ‘Mwanakatwe saga’ shows the lack of scrutiny that exists before appointing someone to public office.
Fr. Chiti said as an individual, Mrs Mwanakatwe had a moral obligation to sort out her issues before accepting to serve in a public office.
“This shows the integrity of the person concerned, she should have either declined the appointment or paid back the loan. We are hoping that the president will crack the whip and make sure that she settles her obligation. If she fails to do that then she is not fit to hold public office,” he said.
Meanwhile, Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) president Nevers Mumba says it is unfortunate that the CEEC project has been a total sham, calling it an almost failed project.
Dr. Mumba wondered why people with access to commercial bank loans were awarded loans under the CEEC.
“Those resources at CEEC were supposed to be applied for by people that have difficulties in accessing capital, they were not meant to be shared among the rich who have opportunities to access money from commercial banks.
“I am saddened to see that the rich are the ones benefiting from such funds … the vulnerable Zambians are the ones that deserve to benefit from such funds because that is there intended purpose,” he said.
He challenged CEEC to explain to members of the public the methods and mechanisms used in the awarding of loans in order to get rid of suspicion and show that transparency is maintained.
Mrs. Mwanakatwe has been widely condemned for taking up her ministerial appointment despite owing the CEEC a lot of money. Aluworks Industries Limited, a company co-owned by Mr and Mrs. Mwanakatwe was in 2009 awarded a loan of K945,000 (rebased) from CEEC and the loan is still active on the CEEC loan book.