The Parliamentary Cluster Committee on Social and Community Affairs and Local Authorities and Rural Development has proposed the need for the ward councillors to be provided one vehicle duty free every five years. 

Presenting the report in Parliament, the Cluster’s Chairperson Savel Kafwafwa said the development will assist in easing mobility challenges for the councillors face.

But Members of Parliament (MPs) reacted to the proposal with an uproar.

In an interview Kafwafwa said the commotion was due to the recent disagreements that arose between the lawmakers and councillors following the increment of Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

“Because practically the MPs don’t handle the CDF money it is the District’s Office which actually handle money and pays the people who are supposed to be paid,” Kafwafwa said.

“So the way the issue is being presented, the members are not happy at all, so there was a protest to say why do you want to give them an advantage where they are? Failing to understand the simple things.”

Presenting the 2022-2023 proposed budget, minister responsible for finance and economic affairs Sosten Gwengwe said CDF would be increased from the previous K40 million to K100 million.