MCP MP wary DPP govt not paying Kasungu chiefs for five months

A Member of Parliament (MP), for Kasungu South East Constituency,  Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, has expressed concern that Senior Group Village Headmen, Group Village heads and Village heads in the central region tobacco growing district of Kasungu have stayed five months without receiving their honorarium from government.

This was known on Saturday at Chamwabvi Primary School, when Member of Parliament for the area  met the Area Development Committee ahead of budgetary meeting oa parliament which starts on May 5.

During the ADC meeting, chiefs told the MP to go and speak in parliament that the chiefs are now facing problems following the failure by the authorities to give them their honorarium.

“As you are going to Parliament assist us to receive our money by reporting this to Parliament. Our honorarium is already small so it is unfair not to receive the money for five months,” aid one chief.

Another chief stood and revealed that 64 chiefs in the area of T/A Chilowamatambe are yet to start receiving their honorarium and yet they already filled forms over the same.

“May be someone is receiving our money on our behalf , please report this to Parliament,” said the chief.

Kandodo Chiponda,  who is also the MCP Deputy Treasure General, said she will take up the matter with relevant authorities. The MP however said the situation was regrettable.

Ministry of Local Government announced that it has put 22,000 on payroll but it is not known if those chiefs have started receiving the money in other districts.

The GVH receives K5,000 while the Village Headmen receives K2,500.

During the meeting,  Khumbize Kandodo also  briefed chiefs about newly assented marriage bill.