By Burnett Munthali
The Minister of Local Government, Unity, and Culture, Richard Chimwendo Banda, has advised the newly installed Traditional Authority (T/A) Makata of Blantyre to prioritize unity and combat corruption in the distribution of essential resources such as fertilizer, maize, and social welfare funds.
Speaking at the installation ceremony, Minister Chimwendo Banda emphasized the critical role that traditional leaders play in fostering harmony within their communities. He urged T/A Makata to work closely with local government structures to ensure that development initiatives benefit all people fairly and without favoritism. He warned against corrupt practices, particularly in the allocation of farming inputs and financial aid under the Mtukula Pakhomo program, stressing that such resources should reach deserving beneficiaries without being diverted through fraudulent means.
The chieftaincy of Makata had been embroiled in a legal dispute since 2021 following the passing of the previous chief. The succession wrangle led to prolonged disagreements within the royal family, delaying the installation of a new leader. After years of court proceedings, a resolution was finally reached, allowing the newly appointed T/A Makata to assume leadership.
Now that the chieftaincy issue has been settled, the government expects T/A Makata to focus on fostering development, maintaining peace, and upholding transparency in community governance. Minister Chimwendo Banda reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working with traditional leaders to enhance service delivery and ensure that resources meant for the people are used appropriately.
As T/A Makata embarks on this new leadership journey, the community looks forward to progressive leadership that will address long-standing issues and promote a corruption-free administration in the region.
