Dowa councillors chase DC

A meeting of councillors, chiefs and parliamentarians failed to resolve issues at Dowa District Council on Wednesday after councillors in the district, led by now council chairperson Martin Luka-Phiri, chased District Commissioner Fanny Msimuko.

The councillors accused Msimuko of wastefulness in managing the council’s resources.

Msimuko maintained on Thursday that she is still in control of the council despite efforts by the elected representatives to remove her, a move she described as illegal.

“Of course they [councillors] approached me on Monday, telling me that they were not satisfied with the way I was performing my duties. In that regard, they asked me to leave my office. But I did not respond to them because they never gave me any reasons for their demand,” she said.

Msimuko said she reported the issue to the Principal Secretary for Local Government Rural Development who advised her not to leave until the issues were discussed when presented procedurally by the councillors.

But during Wednesday’s meeting, held between the ministry and district council officials, the parties failed to agree on a solution, prompting ministry officials to sanction an all-inclusive meeting next Wednesday.

Last Wednesday’s meeting was held immediately after the council chairmanship elections which Msimuko presided over.

Luka-Phiri insisted in an interview that the DC was on her way out of the district owing to various grounds the councillors have gathered.

“This is not the first time for people to call for the DC’s removal. Not long ago vendors in Dowa demanded the same. But as for us we find it disturbing that the DC is refusing to reside here in Dowa claiming there is no house designated for her.

“However, all her predecessors were resident here. That is a strain on the council’s resources. Besides, she is not approachable. That is why we want her to go,” he said.

Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development spokesperson Muhlabase Mughogho confirmed next Wednesday’s meeting.

“The ministry is aware of the issues at Dowa District Council. We sent officials to the district to attend a council meeting. We hope that the matter will be concluded at the planned meeting,” she said.