Senior Chief Masula is being accused of firing and suspending junior chiefs suspected of supporting political candidates who are not in good books with him.
In an interview, Group Village Head (GVH) Kamoto said he received notice of his firing after being accused of supporting the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and incumbent legislators within his area.
“Those who are deemed to be working with MCP or members of parliament are being threatened with dismissals. Others have been forced to pay fines and work with those close to the senior chief. He has never been a darling to incumbent members of pariament,” said Kamoto, who also disclosed that three others have been removed.
According to a letter from Senior Chief Masula dated March 9 2024 which we have seen, GVH Kamoto was suspended for being actively involved in politics.
“Dziwitsani akubanja kwa Kamoto kuti umfumu ndi ugulupu watha. A GVH Kamoto apitilize za udindo wa kansala. Uzani a kubanja kuti andipatse munthu woti ndizigwila naye ntchito ya umfumu.
“Asakhale nawonso mzilizonse zochitika za mmudzi azichita zandale. Mngakhale mphuzitsi akayamba ndale amalaka ya uphunzitsi nkukayamba ndalezo,” reads part of the letter signed by Senior chief Masula’s secretary GVH Mchawa
Asked on what he has done since he received the dismissal letter, the GVH said he wrote a formal letter to Lilongwe District Council, which response he is yet to receive.
“After I sat down with my family, we agreed to write a formal complaint to the district council. We are still waiting for the response,” he said.
When contacted, Lilongwe District Council spokesperson Andrew Mkonda referred us to the district commissioner Lawford Palani, who did not pick up his phone when called.
However, Senior Chief Masula denied the allegations, saying he has not fired or disciplined any chief on political grounds.
“I have been playing an advisory role to some of the chiefs who easily get carried away with politics. I only advised GVH Kamoto to desist from frontline politics, even though he is free to contest any position.
“I have no powers to remove a chief because of politics. My main role is to see to it that chiefs are doing their work according to laws. I only advised him not to rush into active politics, maybe because of that, that’s why he thinks that I removed him from his position,” said Senior Chief Masula.
