ALLEGED PREJUDICE HIT DEDZA’S SOCIAL CASH TRANSFER PG

By Pemphero Malimba

Councillors in Dedza district have asked the district council to suspend training of enumerators under the Social Cash Transfer program over allegation of bias.

Authorities embarked on the training exercise on Monday but eyebrows were raised on the list of successful candidates some of whom are alleged to have not gone through interviews.  

The matter has also attracted the attention of the Human Rights Defenders Coalition which has asked the Anti Corruption Bureau to institute an investigation.

On Wednesday, a full council meeting was suspended after councilors protested against officials’ insistence to go ahead with the training. 

Dedza district council chairperson Themuka Mkhwewu said, "Councilors will meet on Monday next week to map the way forward."

Meanwhile, Dedza district council spokesperson Yohane Bilesi said councilors have no mandate to call for the cancellation of the training.  

However, Bilesi disclosed that about 70 ineligible candidates have been sent home.