Livingstone Member of Parliament and Tourism Minister Rodney Sikumba has come under fire from some quarters on social media, with allegations of absenteeism and personal enrichment during his tenure.
In response, Mr Sikumba has passionately defended his record, emphasizing his commitment to serving the people of Livingstone.
Addressing the accusations, Mr Sikumba stated, “I chose to be a servant leader, and that remains my priority.
We need to draw a clear line between public service and political ambition. As the Member of Parliament for Livingstone and a minister, I will not shy away from delivering to the people just because some individuals are eyeing my position.”
, Mr Sikumba acknowledging the scrutiny that comes with his dual role, stressed that his work as MP and minister does not exempt him from the challenges faced by ordinary citizens.
“I am always on the road because whether I am in office or not, I will use the same roads as everyone else. I am committed to improving infrastructure and services in Livingstone.”
One of the key issues, Mr Sikumba addressed was the management of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
He pointed out the political nature of the CDF application process and the need to decentralize it to the ward level for better transparency and accountability.
“Our people are being charged exorbitant fees by consultants, sometimes up to 10 percent of the funds. This is unacceptable, and we need to track the forms more closely to ensure fairness,” he stated.
Mr Sikumba also expressed his concerns over the reports of silent protests against his leadership, particularly regarding the Social Cash Transfer program.
He acknowledged receiving numerous complaints from constituents and stressed the importance of serious engagement to address these issues.
“We need to identify where we have problems and ensure that we address them with the seriousness they deserve,” he said.
On the matter of casualization, , Mr Sikumba warned against the practice of hiring workers without contracts, emphasizing that the Employment Code is in place to protect workers’ rights.
“People must know their rights and that the law is there to protect them. No one should be employed without a contract, and we must enforce this to ensure fair treatment for all workers,” he declared.
Mr Sikumba reaffirmed his dedication to his role as Livingstone’s MP, urging his constituents to engage with him constructively rather than resorting to protests or social media campaigns.
“I am here to serve, and together, we can achieve the development Livingstone needs,” he assured.
Mr Sikumba said this amidst the growing challenges and criticisms, as he seeks to balance his responsibilities as both an MP and a minister while addressing the concerns of his constituents head-on.
And Response Network Country Director Mutukwa Matengenya said there is concern from people in Livingstone that their area MP had changed from the time he was voted into office.
He commended Mr Sikumba for calling on the meeting with CSOs.
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