Local Govt Ministry reshuffles DCs

The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has moved and appointed about 10 district commissioners (DCs) to various district councils across the country.

Among those moved is Chiradzulu DC Memory Kaleso, who will now be stationed at the ministry headquarters.

Kaleso came into the limelight last March when governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) ward councillors blocked her office, accusing her of turning down their demands to use council resources for political activities.

Later in August last year, she was sent on a three-month paid leave on allegations that she, together with her chief accountant, had spent K170 million from Other Recurrent Transaction (ORT) without authorisation.

The ministry’s spokesperson Muhlabase Mughogho said the former Chiradzulu DC will be maintained on the same grade she held at the council.

Mughogho said a final report on investigations that the ministry instituted into the alleged misallocation of the funds is yet to be made public.

She said: “It is a normal posting just like the rest of the other postings. All I can say is that she will be on the same grade. The rest of the information can be fetched from the person in question. Indeed some procedures were flouted but money was used and not misused.”

But when contacted last week, Kaleso said she was yet to know her position as her posting letter did not include such details.

She briefly replied: “Yes I have received the letter and it has the same contents that you have seen.”

The letter, signed by Principal Secretary for the ministry Kiswell Dakamau addressed to Kaleso, which The Nation has seen,  reads in part: “The exigencies of the service necessitate your immediate posting as per MPSRI:121 to Ministry Headquarters. It would, therefore, be appreciated if you could wind up your affairs and arrange to report for duties at Ministry with immediate effect.”

Other moved and appointed DCs are Reinghard Chavula who has moved from Mulanje to Nsanje; Peter Jamusole who has moved from Luchenza to Likoma; Alex Mdooko who has moved to Dowa; James Manyetera who has moved from Dedza to Ntchisi; Charles Makanga who has moved from Lilongwe to Mulanje; Rodney Simwaka who has moved from Salima to Nkhata Bay; Fannie Msimuko has moved from Dowa to Mangochi; Charles Mawembe has moved from Likoma to Salima; Sellina Chimphamba has moved to Luchenza while Malango Botomani has been appointed as Chiradzulu DC.