DEDZA (Maravi Post)—The ministry of local government and rural development has suspended Councilor Davie Chingalawe of Bembeke ward in Dedza district after he committed a criminal offence.According to the spokesperson for the ministry Mulhabase Mughogho, this is according to the country’s constitution.
“We have indeed suspended the Bembeke ward councilor after he was found guilty by the court. As of now we are just waiting for the District Commissioner of the district to officially inform us,” said
Mughogho.
In his remarks, Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) spokesperson Sangwani Mwafulirwa said the body will declare the seat to be vacant soon.
“As MEC, we are aware about the court ruling but what we are waiting now is to see if the concerned councilor will appeal the matter,” said Mwafulirwa.
He said “if 30 days elapse without the councilor appealing the case, then MEC shall not have any choice but to declare the seat vacant.”
Chingalawe was found guilty by Dedza magistrate court last month for tampering with ESCOM meters.
Meanwhile, MEC says it is now ready to conduct by-elections for councilors in Zomba, Lilongwe and Mchinji districts.