PS Kaphaizi benefited from ‘abuse’ in Malawi Local Govt Ministry
As confusion still rages on over the nullification of promotions of District Commissioners who were promoted during the Joyce Banda administration, Nyasa Times sources at Capital Hill have revealed that the Secretary for Local Government and Rural Development, Kester Kaphaizi has been part and parcel of the systems abuse.
Kaphaizi while demoting the District Commissioners argued that procedures were not followed, and yet it has been established that he was the Controlling Officer at the material time, and as per government regulation, he has to be held accountable for such action.
It has also been established that the Principal Secretary is a son of Group Village Headman Kaphaizi, under Senior Chief Lukwa in Kasungu. While at the helm of the Banda administration, he benefited from the “abuse” as he elevated his father, GVH Kaphaizi to the status of the Traditional Authority, at a function which he personally presided over.
Civil servants told Nyasa Times that was a case of total conflict of interest, abuse of office, unethical, and procedural for a man who claims to follow procedures.
Senior Chief Lukwa of Kasungu, said he was left agape, wondering as he was not consulted on this arrangement.
As per procedures of elevating a person as stipulated in the Chiefs Act, it is Senior Chief Lukwa who was supposed to recommend for the elevation of GVH Kaphaizi.
Traditional Authority Kaphaizi is now occupying a position which has never been existence, and there was no establishment warrant, and yet he is on government payroll.
A similar case is that Kaphaizi, as Secretary for Local Government, using his authority coerced management of Lilongwe City Council to employ his daughter without undergoing and recruitment interviews.
“ How does he explain that, were procedures followed? Should procedures be followed when it comes to promotion of other officers?” wondered our Capital Hill source.
Kaphaizi snubbed Nyasa Times reporter after he refused to answer our questions. The PS said said he was “too busy” to explain the issues.
