Karonga Council petitioned over stolen CPU
Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Karonga under the umbrella of Malawi Economic Justice Network (Mejn) have petitioned the district council to explain the missing central processing unit (CPU) that was stolen in early December.
The CSOs included the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR), the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP), the Church and Society Programme of Livingstonia CCAP Synod, Cadecom, Focus, Future Planning for the Child, Karonga Youth Entrepreneurs, Karonga Debate Club, the Public Affairs Committee (PAC), National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice), Kachira Youth Organisation and Malawi Carer.
In their statement, the organisations alleged lack of transparency and accountability at Karonga District Council secretariat, saying the local authority undermines councillors’ role of ensuring checks and balances in local governance.
“Since the councillors came into office they have struggled to access information,” read the press statement in part.
The statement, released mid this week, also expressed worry at the alleged abuse of Local Development Fund (LDF) and Constituency Development Fund (CDF), saying a forensic audit was necessary to prove the CSOs wrong.
Speaking in an interview, Karonga district commissioner Rosemary Moyo said she is yet to receive the press statement as she is away in Lilongwe.
Moyo said she could not comment on the stolen computer because police are investigating the issue.
Karonga Police Station officer-in-charge Edward Chingaipe said the case is still under investigation and that police do not just arrest people without proper evidence and procedures.
The CPU, which contained information on LDF, CDF and the council’s revenue collections was stolen on December 14 2014.
