The Ministry of Local Government has instituted investigations into the issue involving Chiradzulu District Commissioner (DC) Memory Kaleso, who is reported to have been the subject of threats from Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) councillors who are not happy with her reluctance to let them abuse council resources.
Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Kondwani Nankhumwa, said in an interview that he expects to get a report from a team which was given the mandate to probe the issue.
The DPP councillors are reported to have threatened Kaleso for failing to bow down to their demands. The councillors wanted the DC to give them allowances to attend political meetings, among other activities.
The councillors told the media that they want the DC out of her office with immediate effect.
Commenting on the issue, Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) chairperson, Robert Mkwezalamba, called on the Ministry of Local Government and the Office of the President and Cabinet to offer protection to Kaleso.
HRCC chairperson, Robert Mkwezalamba, said the DC has to be commended for her boldness in protecting public resources.
“We feel the state should protect the DC from people who may wish to attack her. We further appeal to parliamentarians in the district to sensitise their constituents, including the councillors, on their roles so that they may understand the objective of development funds. We commend Kaleso for protecting hard earned resources,” Mkwezalamba said.
However, Nankhumwa said his ministry has reinforced Kaleso’s security, adding that a fact finding team is expected to present a report to him by the end of this week.
“We are doing that. I am expecting a report from a team that went to Chiradzulu to investigate the matter any time soon. The Director of Human Resources, The Malawi Local Government Association, among others, met the team of chiefs in the area as well as the DC on the same. I will communicate on the way forward,” Nankhumwa said.
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