Mutharika blasts Chief for breach of protocol
President Bingu wa Mutharika blasted Traditional Authority Chekucheku of Neno for not following protocol after the Chief wrote him a letter in which he alleged that Neno District Commissioner Lawford Palani had mismanaged government funds, Nyasa Times has established.
According to impeccable sources, Bingu is reported to have dressed down the Chief and then ordered Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Henry Mussa to investigate T/A Chekucheku and the DC.
Mutharika , who is known for his fiery temperament and paranoia, embarrassed T/A Chekucheku when he hosted Traditional Leaders at Sanjika Palace recently.
President Mutharika had invited Traditional Leaders to Sanjika Palace in order to galvanize support against the IMF’s recommendation to devaluate the kwacha.
The President has stood his ground that the kwacha won’t be devalued and of late has been parading chiefs and some members of the clergy in saying ‘no’ to the IMF’s recommendation have the kwacha devalued.
Nyasa Times sources said the President was irked by T/A Chekucheku’s audacity for writing straight to him.
“The President was very angry with that calling it breach of protocol and insubordination. He schooled the Chief to use the existing channels in addressing issues to him,” our source said..
In the controversial letter the T/A Chekucheku alleged that District Commissioner Lawford Palani was abusing development funds that included the Local Development Funds (LDF), Constituency Fund and the District Development Fund (DDF).
The Chief asked government to transfer Palani.
Coincidentally, Palani is among the DCs that have been affected by a recent shake up that hit the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development. He has since been posted to Thyolo District Council, President Mutharika’s home district.
