U-Turn! Capital FM’s CDF report forces rapid govt rethink

The Ministry of Local Government has performed a swift U-turn and ordered district councils to let Members of Parliament (MPs) take centre stage at Constituency Development Fund (CDF) project launches – just a day after lawmakers erupted in protest over being sidelined in favour of council chairpersons and councillors.

The row broke into the open after Capital FM reported that MPs were furious at an arrangement which saw district council chairpersons and councillors installed as guests of honour at CDF project launches, effectively relegating elected Members of Parliament to the sidelines of events funded through their own constituencies.

Within 24 hours, the Ministry moved to defuse the row. In an email addressed to District Commissioners, Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government Moses Chimphepo directed that MPs should now preside over the launches as guests of honour.

“Please note that this is not a council meeting nor district-wide activity. It is constituency-based. As such, you are being advised to allow the Members of Parliament to preside as the Guest of Honour during the launch of CDF projects within their constituency,” the email read.

The rapid response has been welcomed by lawmakers.

Member of Parliament for Chiradzulu Nyungwe Constituency Mwai Ndalama thanked the Minister of Local Government for acting swiftly once concerns were raised, praising the turnaround as a sign the ministry was listening to MPs’ grievances.