Blantyre DC shuns chief’s funeral

Blantyre District Commissioner (DC) Charles Makanga is under fire for shunning the burial ceremony of Village Headman Evance Makata.
Makata, 55, died of Diabetes last week, but his burial this week was marred by the prominent absence of Blantyre DC Makata, angering communities from Ndirande.
Traditional leaders fall under the Ministry of Local Government, which, at district level, is headed by the DC.
Makata also failed to send a representative at a funeral service attended by Ndirande Malabada Member of Parliament and Defense Minister Aaron Sangala.
“What the DC has done is very bad and sets a very bad precedent. Traditional leaders deserve respect and the DC must be seen to lead in this. It is a shame,” said Daniel Ndowa, a community member who was backed by other subjects.
Makanga said it was not his deliberate move to miss the burial of the chief. The DC’s wreath was laid by a community member.