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The ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), supporters in the Bombali District have issued a 21-day ultimatum to their District Chairman, Mohamed Saffa, popularly known as “Magambo.”
Saffa and his executive team have been pressured to step down amidst accusations of embezzling funds meant for party members. These funds were intended to support constituencies, wards, and individual members, but allegedly went missing under Saffa’s leadership.
The discontent reached a boiling point during a recent meeting in Makeni, where a large crowd of SLPP supporters voiced their grievances. Speakers expressed deep disappointment, accusing Saffa of corruption and betraying their trust.
Some of the allegations include:
Misappropriation of Funds: Saffa is accused of embezzling a substantial sum of Le 1.6 billion Old Leones (unspecified amount) and motorbikes allocated to the district during past election campaigns.
Mismanagement of Resources: Party resources intended to strengthen the SLPP at the grassroots level were allegedly siphoned off by Saffa and his associates, weakening party morale and operations.
Suspicious Alliances: Saffa is further accused of siding with the opposition party, jeopardizing the SLPP’s interests in the district. Reports claim he offered influential positions, like the Chairmanship of the Petty Traders and Drivers Union, to opposition members, fueling resentment within the SLPP.
Amie Kabbi, a petty trader from Makeni, echoed the sentiments of many by stating, “The Chairman’s greed has blinded him to our party’s values.” Disgruntled members accused Saffa of misusing resources meant for scholarships intended for Hajj pilgrims, university students, and social safety net benefits were allegedly mishandled by Saffa, sparking outrage and demands for accountability.
The real question is, when the party of the government in power is doling out funds furing election season, where is the money coming from? Another real question is, where is the ACC?