Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development Charles Kalemba yesterday resolved to send on forced leave Nkhotakota district commissioner (DC) Medson Matchaya over alleged abuse of office.

This follows a dispute involving employees at Nkhotakota District Council who went on a sit-in over arrears in wages for 10 months by the council secretariat.

Yesterday, the PS summoned the parties in the dispute to a crisis meeting where it was resolved that the council should remit all the wages for the employees starting from today up to August 15 this year.

In the meeting, Kalemba also ordered Matchaya and procurement officer Aaron Kamowa to temporarily leave duties at the council pending investigations into alleged abuse of office.

Meanwhile, the striking employees have opened the offices after being ordered by the Ministry.
Nkhotakota District Council requires about K7 million per month for the salaries of its employees.

Source:NPL