Nkhotakota district commissioner [DC] Felix Mkandawire has been sent on four- month forced leave to pave the way for forensic investigations into operations of his office
Nation on Sunday has learnt that he is being accused of mismanaging development funds meant for the lakeshore district as well as negligence of duty.
Local Government and Rural Development spokesperson Muhlabase Mughogho yesterday confirmed that Mkandawire has been sent on forced leave, but was elusive on who replaces him in the interim.
She said: “It is a four-month leave to allow for investigations to take place. He will hand over the office to the most senior person at the council.”
Mughoho added that Mkandawire will be on full-pay until the end of his suspension.
When contacted for comment yesterday, Mkandawire declined to say anything, instead he referred Nation on Sunday to the Local Government and Rural Development Principal Secretary (PS).
“I cannot comment anything regarding the matter. Instead, contact the PS to give you details because he is my boss,” he said.
Nkhotakota District Council has recently come under fire from lawmakers, councillors and chiefs, allegedly for abusing proceeds realised from sale of plots at the old aerodrome.
The DC’s suspension comes barely three months after director of finance [DOF] was suspended in February for six months for alleged gross negligence of duty.
Meanwhile, some of the council’s employees have stayed without pay for more than eight months, a development the council has attributed to insufficient revenue generation from its markets.
