Staff at Neno District Council have been failing to work for over a week as some members of the community blocked their offices after being dissatisfied with the return of Traditional Authority (T/A) Chekucheku to the chieftaincy.
Neno district commissioner (DC) Memory Kaleso Monteiro confirmed the incident in an interview on Monday.
“Since last week Monday, we have been failing to enter the offices because the people want T/A Chekucheku to be dismissed. As I am talking to you, our offices are still blocked,” said Monteiro.
There have been chieftaincy problems in the area where a section of the community demanded the chief’s removal.
Former Malawi president Joyce Banda suspended the chief, according to a letter dated May 15 2014, but Chekucheku, through lawyer Golden Mbeya, obtained a court injunction.
The DC said when the chief was suspended, those who do not want him thought they had seen the end of him.
“However, the court ordered for an inter partes hearing, but the attorney general [AG] did not show up. As a result, a stay order was granted and we still recognise him as the legitimate T/A Chekucheku,” said Monteiro.
Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Tarcizio Gowelo has since sent a delegation to try to reason with those that have blocked the office to open it.
“I know that the issue is to do with the T/A Chekucheku chieftaincy, but it should be noted that the office of the district commissioner handles many issues.
“Currently, there is Fisp [Farm Input Subsidy Programme] and the officials are urgently needed in office. We have sent a delegation to plead with those that are blocking the offices to consider opening it,” said Gowelo.
Meanwhile, T/A Chekucheku has written the minister asking for a meeting to discuss the matter. But Gowelo said, with the court order, it would be difficult to meet him.
“The matter of Chekucheku is in court and it would be prejudicial to court procedure if I meet him. We will have to wait for the court process and then I can meet him,” said the minister.
