DCs transferred again
The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has once again transferred district commissioners (DCs), among them Dedza’s Stuart Ngoka who has served for less than three months and has been moved to Kasungu Municipality.
The ministry’s spokesperson Muhlabase Mughogho on Monday confirmed the transfers effective November 10 2014, saying they were normal.
After a year in Nkhotakota, James Kanyangalazi has been moved to Dedza to replace Ngoka, who was previously in Machinga before his transfer to Dedza a few months ago.
“These are normal postings. I have been here for a year, but I know others who have served for shorter terms,” said Kanyangalazi confirming his transfer.
Kasungu’s Charles Mwawembe has been transferred back to Likoma after serving for less than a year in Kasungu.
After six months at M’mbelwa District Council, Felix Mkandawire replaces Kanyangalazi in Nkhotakota whereas Mzuzu City chief executive Thomas Chirwa has been transferred to M’mbelwa in Mzimba.
Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament last week raised concerns over frequent transfers of DCs, which they said have affected the continuity and implementation of development programmes.
Principal Secretary for Adminstration at the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC), Clement Chinthu-Phiri, conceded that such transfers were affecting stability of district council leadership.
“The Ministry of Local Government may have its reasons. For example, DC for Lilongwe Charles Kalemba has served here twice before and was about to be moved again, but OPC [Office of the President and Cabinet] observed that movements would affect implementation of projects. The Chief Secretary asked for an explanation and intervened,” Chinthu-Phiri disclosed.
Kalemba, who has also served as DC in Salima, confirmed that he wrote to OPC to complain on his frequent transfers when he was due to be transferred in April.
In the past year, several DCs have been transferred with some serving in two or more districts in less than a year.
