DPP councillors close DC’s office in Chiradzulu

Operations at Chiradzulu District Council have come to a standstill following the closure of District Commissioner’s (DCs) Office by councillors belonging to ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Vice Council Chair for Chiradzulu, Councillor Diston Mphero  said the councillors have closed the office because the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development was taking long to transfer DC Memory Kaleso as per their demands.

“We have reacted in this manner because the ministry is not assisting. Instead, the ministry has sent us communication insisting that would continue working as DC because she has not committed any wrong doing to warrant posting,’ he said.

Ministry’s spokesperson Muhlabase  Mughogho has confirmed that the ministry would not send new DC to Chiradzulu.

“Councillors are abusing their powers. They do not have the mandate to close the DC’s office. That’s crippling service delivery. I think they have gone overboard. As a Ministry, we always follow and implement government policies for the betterment of common person in the villages,” she said.

Meanwhile, in solidarity with the DC, members of staff  at the council also downed tools saying arguing they cannot continue working without the Head of the District Administration.

An Official who spoke on conditions of anonymity said they would only resume work when the matter is settled and DC is back in the office.

“Kaleso is been victimized just because she is following procedures set by government. Kaleso is there working towards protecting government resources,” he said.

In the afternoon, clients who came to have their passport forms certified were sent back as there was no one to assist them.