Police in Phalombe have arrested Chief Ngandanga, 36, from Group Village Bokosi in Traditional Authority Nkhumba for flouting maize distribution exercise rules, which is underway in the district.

Phalombe Police Detective, Sylvester Nenani, said they were tipped by some of the beneficiaries, who claimed that the chief had ordered them to share their maize with others who did not benefit from the programme.

The chief claimed that the idea of sharing with others is a traditional one in the village.

“Every time there is a programme for my subjects to benefit from, the beneficiaries are encouraged to share with others out of love and compassion. This started even before I assumed the chieftainship,” said the chief.

Spokesperson for Phalombe District Council, Linda Likomwa, said it was not right for anyone to instruct beneficiaries to share with others.

Likomwa justified this by saying that the government is implementing different social support programmes where beneficiaries are different in each programme to ensure that it reaches out to a majority of the citizens.

Maize distribution for the lean season programme started on Tuesday with over 44,000 households expected to benefit.

Source: Mana