Corruption Countdown #5. Court Nullifies Taulo Chewe’s Seat

To commemorate one year since the New Dawn government took office, this month Open Zambia is taking stock on one of the UPND’s major manifesto promises: clamping down on corruption. We’re counting down the top ten biggest busts of the past year to see how what a difference this new administration is making.

#5.  High Court Nullifies Taulo Chewe’s Seat

In November 2021, the Kasama High Court nullified the election of Taulo Chewe as MP for Lubansenshi Constituency after hearing evidence of gross corruption and electoral malpractice by the Patriotic Front candidate.

In her decision Judge Maria Mapani Kawibe noted that Chewe had used the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) to distribute mealie meal in the run-up to the election, despite there being no hunger emergency to warrant food relief.

She also heard that the PF candidate used the social cash transfer service to persuade Lubansenshi residents to vote for him.

The antics marred what was generally a peaceful and legitimate general election, resulting in a landslide victory for President Hakainde Hichilema and the UPND.

Upon taking office, President Hichilema pledged to crack down on corruption, including the use of public resources for political ends, which had run rife under the previous Patriotic Front administration.

Since Chewe’s disqualification, several other seats have been nullified in light of electoral malpractice, including former Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo’s seat in Kabushi. The result is a fairer and more accurate representation of the democratic will reflected in the National Assembly.