Trasizio Gowelo

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, I would realise that the impression one gets from my decision to suspend Blantyre City Council chief executive officer Emmanuel Ted Nandolo over his move to approve and implement salary adjustments for the council’s employees is that a resolution had already been made even before I summoned him to a meeting to hear him out.

If I were the minister, I would realise that the meeting to hear Nandolo’s side on the issue was just a formality because his letter of suspension was handed to him immediately after the meeting ended on March 24 2015.

Oh yes, honourable minister, the Local Government (Amendment) Act gives you powers to suspend the CEO, but the letter of suspension raises eyebrows because one wonders whether the ministry conducted a thorough review of the proceedings before effecting the suspension.

If only I were the minister, I would thus appreciate why people are wondering whether Nandolo’s misconduct, where he was advancing better perks for his employees, warrants a no-pay suspension.

That is only if I were the big shot that is Trasizio, unfortunately I am not the Manyowe gentleman.