‘Chiefs, council fuelling MPs-councillors wrangles’

Traditional leaders and authorities at the district council in Machinga have been accused of masterminding conflicts between members of Parliament (MPs) and ward councillors.

Speaking last week during a two-day orientation workshop organised by Pan African Civic Educators Network (Pacenet), Machinga East Constituency legislator Esther Jolobala told participants that chiefs and council officials are frustrating efforts to unite MPs and councillors “apparently because they are benefiting from these tensions”.

Jolobala said: “We have cases where the MP and councillors resolved their differences and united for the common good, but instead of supporting such initiatives, chiefs and the council fuel hostilities.

“This means they are comfortable working with a divided and not a united force.”

Pacenet executive director Steven Duwa expressed fear that the differences between MPs and councillors could frustrate development plans of the district.

He, therefore, pleaded with district commissioner (DC) Reinghard Chavula “to urgently institute investigations into the allegations to save the common citizen from unnecessary suffering”.

Pacenet organised the orientation with assistance from Tilitonse Fund.