Luchenza Council CEO redeployed

The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has redeployed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Luchenza Municipal Council, Andrew Misomali, who was sent on forced leave late last month for allegedly abuse of office.

Misomali was accused by councillors and chiefs of financial mismanagement and poor administration. The wrangle dates back to May this year.

Local Government and Rural Development spokesperson, Muhlabase Mughogho confirmed the transfer of Misomali adding that he will now be working at the Ministry’s headquarters in Lilongwe.

He has since been replaced by former Director of Planning and Development (DPD) at Lilongwe District Council, Peter Jimusole.

According to Mughogho, this does not signify the end of the matter as investigations continue.

“The issue does not end here. Investigations are still going on. In fact, he (Misomali) requested for the transfer so that he should have a chance to pursue his Masters degree,” said Mughogho.

Mayor Harold Kaliwo hailed the ministry for responding swiftly to their concerns.

He expressed hope that the new CEO will work towards the vision of the municipal council.

“Right now council members and I are meeting the new CEO here in Luchenza. We are hopeful that we will have a good working relationship with him as we all move to develop our municipality,” said Kaliwo.

The main commotion started from an emergency meeting that elected representatives and traditional leaders where they unanimously agreed to remove the CEO who at that time had worked at the council for barely two months.

He is also accused of presenting to the ministry a budget that council members had rejected, however Misomali described the allegations as being out of ‘greed and ignorance’.

Luchenza is one of the country’s two municipal councils. The other one is Kasungu.