YOUTH FUEL TANKERS MISAPPROPRIATION
A reliable source revealed that the Ministry of Youth, Sport, and Arts misappropriated hundreds of fuel tankers meant for youths.
Ostensibly procured to empower youth cooperatives across all ten provinces, over 100 fuel tankers were distributed, but most instead found their way into the hands of UPND members and proxied government officials—not the young applicants they were meant to support.
This blatant misappropriation of fuel tankers has made UPND youths angry.
According to the source, the youths names appear officially on ministry records with fuel tanker allocations, yet actual ownership has been usurped by politically connected individuals far removed from the targeted beneficiaries.
Such manipulation has not only betrayed the youths’ trust but has fueled cynicism about nepotism and favoritism in public programs.
When President Hichilema enquired about the profits from the fuel tankers, which was approximately K200 million, he was informed that the money was utilised in by-elections by the ruling party.
To appease unhappy youths who wanted to boo him at the rally, President Hakainde Hichilema has authorised the withdrawal of K30 million in cash from the Ministry of Finance for distribution ahead of the Sunday rally in order to quell legitimate discontent rather than address underlying complaints.
The irony is stark: while millions remain owed to 2025 FRA transporters and other essential suppliers, government resources are diverted towards placating youth with bribes, revealing misplaced priorities.
The plan was to blame opposition youths for booing the President at the rally, when it is actually his own angry youths.
Until these fundamental flaws are corrected, the promise of youth empowerment through such initiatives will remain hollow rhetoric betraying the very people it claims to uplift.
YOUTH FUEL TANKERS MISAPPROPRIATION
