M’mbelwa Council suspends official over relief items
M’mbelwa District Council has with immediate effect suspended its director of adminstration Thom Nthali over allegations that he diverted maize meant for relief food.
The decision followed a motion moved by Kasito West councillor Fumu Mdolo during a full council meeting yesterday.
At least 17 councillors voted in favour of suspending Nthali to pave the way for investigations.
On July13 2016, Nthali was allegedly found giving a colleague maize and beans, a development that did not go down well with one messenger at the council, who later confiscated the bags from the recipient.
When called to explain his conduct, Nthali said he could not say anything as the issue was under investigation.
When asked to comment on the matter, Mzimba district commissioner (DC) Thomas Chirwa expressed ignorance of the matter, saying reports indicate that the maize is from 2014 when he was not the DC of the area.
Chirwa said: “I learnt about the issue the same day it happened. I learnt that the maize was for 2014 and was meant for Kalitubi area in Mzimba South West.
“There was no proper handover of such kind of relief items when I took over the office at the council. I feel Nthali is in the best position to explain where the maize was going.”
