DCs to be relocated, not demoted—Ministry
T
he Ministry of Local Government has dismissed reports that it has demoted several district commissioners across the country, arguing it is working on new postings of the commissioners to improve efficiency in local councils.
The sentiments follow reports yesterday that the ministry has demoted to general duties district commissioners (DCs) for Neno, Mwanza, Blantyre, Nsanje, Chikwawa, Mangochi, Ntcheu, Dedza, and Karonga districts, while those for Machinga, Chiradzulu, Mulanje, Thyolo and Phalombe districts have been transferred to other districts.
Ministry of Local Government spokesperson Anjoya Mwanza said no DC has been demoted.
She said: “No one has been demoted. The ministry is working on postings of DCs but the process has not been completed yet.
“We will inform the nation once the process is completed. The objective of the planned changes is to improve service delivery. So far, no DC has been demoted.”
Malawi Local Government Association executive director Hadrod Mkandawire said he was not aware of the changes but was following the development.
He said: “We are gathering details and once we have enough information on the matter, we will issue a statement.”
In an interview, Nsanje DC Medson Matchaya was surprised about the impending changes, saying he was not aware of such developments.
However, the impending changes come after Minister of Local Government Blessings Chinsinga said in May this year he will overhaul leadership in councils on the back of payroll fraud in the local authorities.
At the time, there were reports at Chitipa District Council where K10 million was allegedly lost when 17 “ghost workers” were introduced on the payroll. The ghost workers allegedly received salaries for four months from January this year.
At Ntchisi District Council, about K138 million was lost through manipulation of figures and introduction of fake employees on the payroll.
In 2021, the Anti-Corruption Bureau also arrested officials from Salima District Council for keeping on the payroll deceased employees and those who left the establishment. The scam led to the loss of K33 million.
The three fraud incidents led to a combined loss of K181 million.
