District Commissioner (DC) for Salima, Charles Mwawembe has announced the local council will hold its first full council meeting for the 2019-2024 term on June 29, 2019.

In a letter inviting newly elected councillors, Members of Parliament (MPs) and key stake holders, Mwawembe said the meeting has been scheduled for a weekend to give room for MPs to take part.

“We originally planned to have this meeting on June 25, but we have rescheduled it to allow the newly elected MPs to take part in the meeting,” said Mwawembe.

The district commissioner said the meeting has been organised for the new councillors to take oath of office and elect Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson and also select members of interest groups.

Meanwhile, local governance commentator, Thomas Mwangupili who is also Salima’s Governance Network (SAGNET) Executive Director, has welcomed the development saying it is important that the council starts operating normally.

“It is good that the councillors are going to start operating, as that means the council will start operating in full,” said Mwangupili.

He also appealed to concerned stakeholders to ensure that the new leaders are properly oriented on the conduct of their job.

Salima District Council has 10 local government seats and five MPs with 12 traditional authorities and five members of interest groups.

Out of the 10 councillors, six are from Malawi Congress Party, four for Democratic Progressive Party and all the five MPs are from MCP.