Lusaka City Council (LCC) has suspended 18 workers for irregularities in the issuance of business and healthy permits.
LCC Public Relations Manager George Sichimba said the suspended workers are from Finance, IT and Public Health departments.
“The workers are alleged to have been working as a team to issue suspected forged business and health permits and collecting money from unsuspecting clients. The money collected is alleged to have been pocketed by the affected workers,” he said.
Mr. Sichimba stated that the suspensions have been effected to pave way for further investigations into the alleged scam.
He said the scam was discovered during the last go slow by unionised workers which led to management deploying non unionised staff to various revenue points.
“In the process, non unionised staff discovered a number of irregularities in issuance of the above mentioned documents. Investigations have also been to other revenue points and more workers are likely to be affected,” he said.
“LCC wishes to warn all it’s clients to avoid paying cash to workers in the field and using Council workers as agents for obtaining business and health permits.”

Mr. Sichimba further stated that clients are further advised to use e-payment platforms which have been devised and make use of banks and just present deposit slips for issuance of Council receipts.
“Those who are unable to use any of the above stated payment platforms are encouraged to use any of the official pay points dotted around the city and obtain official receipts,” said Mr. Sichimba.
“Clients who could have dealt with individual Council workers and were issued with business and health permits are advised to come to Council and verify the authenticity of the documents to avoid inconveniences.”
He said council will not be held liable for any forged documents that may be discovered by the team that is currently going round.