M’Mbelwa speaks on Mzimba split

Paramount Chief M’Mbelwa of Mzimba has dismissed a request made by councillors to divide the district into four, saying the issue requires more consultation as the district does not belong to chiefs and councillors alone.

The call to divide Mzimba came hot on the agenda of a two-day full council meeting which ended on Thursday.

Responding to the call, M’Mbelwa wondered if the councillors consulted other people in the district, saying there is another proposal for a federal system of government being pursued by individuals from the same district.

He urged the councillors to follow the right procedures in presenting their concerns.

“This issue of dividing Mzimba started way back. We as chiefs have welcomed your requests but we feel you have skipped some important procedures. The issue needs thorough consultation,” said M’Mbelwa.

Councillor for Kasito East Ward, Fumu Mdolo, said dividing the district would accelerate development in the district.

“The idea to split Mzimba is not intended at undermining the authority of our chiefs, but we feel that it will increase allocation of resources as each district will have its own recurrent budget allocation as well as development budget allocation,” he said.

Mdolo further argued that once the district is split it will lead to efficiency in the delivery of services and promote transparency and accountability.

Member of Parliament (MP) for Mzimba South, Makwenda Chunga, raised the tempers of some councillors when he accused them of pocketing money from some quarters to advance the issue to divide the district.

However, Mzimba Hora MP Christopher Mzomera Ngwira asked the members to consider the facts presented by Mdolo.

Chairperson for M’Mbelwa District Council, Dan Nkosi adjourned the meeting until further notice.