Wed, 24 Jan 2018 17:03:00 +0000
By JOHN KOMBE
THE suspension of Chongwe council management makes sad reading, but is necessary to curtail abuse and restore confidence in the local authority, Chongwe Mayor Geoffrey Chuumbwe has observed.
Mr. Chumbwe said this in reaction to the suspension of the Town clerk, directors and some junior officers by the Local Government Service Commission.
“I totally support the suspensions because abuse of authority and resources borders on money laundering. This must not be tolerated in any council. Surely any wrong deserves corrective action.
“As heads of local authorities, we must ensure that we win back the lost confidence, integrity and respect that befits public governance. Local authorities have lost public confidence because of some bad elements” he said.
Mr. Chumbwe told the Daily Nation in an interview that the officers are being investigated and he could not comment on the details.
“I can confirm the suspensions, but the outcome of the investigations will tell us the extent of the wrongs, if any,” he said.
Mr. Chumbwe however assured the Chongwe residents and all stakeholders that the council does not depend on individuals and so the functions of the council would go on.
“The wheels will keep turning and we shall continue to execute our mandate. The system is still alive and I will ensure that the happenings do not affect the local authority’s functions,” he emphasised.
