Phalombe has new chairperson
Phalombe District Council has elected a new chairperson, Councilor Rex Reneck Malata of Mauzi ward in Phalombe North East replacing outgoing chairperson, Councilor Yusuf Ndege. 

In his acceptance speech after his narrow win in a contest that took place at the Boma Tuesday, Malata said he was geared to supporting activities that will develop the district and uplift people's lives.

“I will see to it that our markets are operating properly with proper hygiene standards and also see to it that proceeds that are collected from these markets are properly utilized,” said Malata who changed the tone of the meeting from Chichewa to English upon taking the meetings chairmanship.

“I am a hard worker and will do my best to work cordially with other partners such as the DC, MPs and chiefs,” added Malata.

Currently, leadership wrangles are dogging some constituencies with Traditional Authorities (T/A) not seeing eye-to-eye with their ward councilors which they blame for sabotaging development activities.

In his remarks on the wrangles which are negatively affecting the implementation of development projects such as those under the Local Development Fund (LDF) and other public works activities District Commissioner (DC) for Phalombe Paul Kalilombe summoned the public works committee to meet urgently and iron out the problems that have arisen concerning development projects.

Currently, under the District Development Plan, Phalombe has received a first tranche of K43.5million to implement a number of public works activities that will help foster development and also uplift the lives of the communities.

During the same elections, Councilor Francis Nunkhazingwe of Thundu ward in Phalombe North deputized Malata.

Malata won on an independent ticket during the tripartite elections whilst his deputy Nunkhazingwe won on the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) ticket.