MCDSS Hails Conviction of Officers as Justice for Vulnerable Communities
The Ministry of Community Development and Social Services (MCDSS) has described the recent conviction and sentencing of two of its officers as a strong signal of the government’s commitment to justice, accountability, and the protection of vulnerable citizens.
The Livingstone Magistrate Court on Thursday sentenced Paul Muuma (35), a District Community Development Officer, and Alick Yambayamba (37), a Community Development Assistant, to 18 months imprisonment each for Theft by Public Servant, contrary to Sections 272 and 277 of the Penal Code, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
The two were arrested in December 2023 following investigations that revealed they had stolen farming inputs worth K85,800, intended for vulnerable households under government support programs. The stolen items included 38 x 50kg bags of D Compound Fertilizer, 19 x 50kg bags of Urea, 19 x 10kg bags of maize seed, and 10 x 10kg bags of groundnuts.
In a statement, MCDSS commended the judicial outcome as a “sobering reminder” of the duty public officers owe to citizens—especially those most in need. The Ministry stated that the conviction demonstrates government’s unwavering stance on promoting integrity and rooting out corruption in public service.
“This development is not only about punishing wrongdoing,” said Glenda Nachinga, Principal Public Relations Officer at the Ministry, “but also about reaffirming our dedication to serve vulnerable communities with honesty and transparency. Any betrayal of public trust affects not just government reputation, but the very lives of people we are meant to uplift.”
MCDSS thanked members of the public for reporting the misconduct and encouraged continued vigilance in safeguarding public resources. The Ministry urged all its staff to uphold professional standards and remain committed to ethical service delivery.
The Ministry reiterated that it remains focused on delivering quality social services and will continue to uphold the principles of justice, accountability, and transparency in all its operations.
