DC Kamba being awarded the Longtime Committed Service Award’.—Picture by Leah Mabulasa, MANA
* Kudos to Chikwawa DC for this warning — let those who continue this face the law
* This behaviour is common — most people have been condemning police for use of personal vehicles on duty on our roads
By Duncan Mlanjira
The honour of ‘Longtime Committed Service Award’, which Chikwawa District Commissioner (DC), Nardin Jackman Bauleni Kamba was bestowed on Thursday by the Malawi Local Government Association (MALGA) — in recognition for his dedication to strengthening decentralisation and improving service delivery in Chikwawa — has been highly appreciated and applauded for on social media by the public.
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But one that catches the eye is the DC’s exemplary governance prudence when he strongly warned some members of staff in March 2025, who were fraudulent claiming drivers’ allowances but traveling to assignments “leaving the designated drivers behind”.
This revelation is contained in an internal memo issued on March 28, which was leaked and shared on a HardTalkers WhatsApp group — a forum consisting of distinguished economic governance experts.
In the leaked memo, Kamba warned staff members that he discovered that some officers were involved in this syndicate, saying: “Recent incidences have exposed officers who attempted to pocket both their allowances and drivers’ allowances.
*This behavior is unethical, dishonest and a violation of financial regulations,” Kamba wrote in the memo. “Going forward, any staff member found engaging in such fraudulent activities will face disciplinary action.
“All allowances must be claimed and disbursed correctly, and any irregularities will not be tolerated. Furthermore, accounts officers are directed to ensure that funds are properly disbursed to support staff and drivers whenever they are included in the implementation of various activities.
“Let this be a final warning — compliance is expected from everyone,” he said, to which he receives an applause from the HardTalkers who shared copy of the memo, saying: “Kudos Chikwawa DC for this warning — let those who continue this face the law.”
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He added that this fraudulent “behaviour is common [which] most people have been condemning police for use of personal vehicles on duty on our roads. These vehicles are used as an accounts office.
“The other side of the coin are public officers using personal vehicles to meetings and claiming fuel and pocketing drivers allowances.”
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MBC Online reported that at the MALGA meeting on Thursday in Mangochi, Kamba was honoured with the Longtime Committed Service Award in recognition of his over 20 years of service in the local government sector.
He has been instrumental in promoting inclusive development and disaster preparedness, especially in a district frequently affected by floods and other climate-related challenges.
Some of the roles played by DC Kamba towards victims affected by floods
Phalombe DC Douglas Moffat also received the Longtime Committed Service Award for his contribution to local governance. The two DCs were hailed as models of committed public service, “which is key to advancing Malawi’s decentralisation agenda”.
Congratulations poured in for DC Kamba for the recognition with Henry Mthebukeh saying: “You deserve more than this, very humble and patriotic you are” while Romeo Haward said “the face can tell that he is man enough when it comes to work”.
Rester Msunza Chakuamba said: “Congratulations, bwana DC — you are our role model. You always say ‘Let’s leave legacy’” — while Lorne’s Chaima said: “Lovely — giving people their flowers while they can smell them.”
DC Nardin Kamba flanked by Senior Chief Makhuwira (right) and an official from DoDMA at another Cyclone Freddy event towards assist survivors held at former President Bakili Muluzi’s residence
However, several people expressed their dissatisfaction over the condition of the access road from Dyeratu trading centre to Chikwawa District Council offices and the all-important referral district hospital — which is heavily potholed.
Enessan Ndomwelino Mbewe accused DC Kamba of “failing to initiate the rehabilitation of the road of less than 2km”, which several others also commented on in response to the article published by MBC Online filed by Malawi News Agency.
Another post on WhatsApp shows the stretch of the M1 Road from Bereu to Nchalo in Chikwawa, in which the District Council is being asked to liaise with the Roads Authority to consider slashing the bushes on the sides of the road.
The concerned citizen indicated that the thorny shrubs were introduced by Illovo Sugar Malawi as live fencing but have not been managed well as they are claiming road shoulders to and from Nchalo trading centre.
This shrub is what Environmental Affairs Department (EAD) has termed and condemned as Invasive Alien Species (IAS) — non-native plant species that are infecting other people’s farm productivity and biodiversity.
This invasive alien specie, along with other plants, were deliberately imported — or brought by accident — into the country and is one of the biggest threats to biodiversity and livelihoods, which people in Mulanje coined as mulanda malo.
Smallholder tea farmer in Mulanje Sikile Enes Phiri in his field heavily infested with invasive plant specie (mulanda malo)
They are very persistent plant species that invade and threaten quite a range of habitats, as well as, indirectly, the livelihoods of people depending on natural ecosystems for food, commodities and energy security.
When planted along road shoulders expect them to persistently claimimg back its space once cut off or uprooted as is the case on the M1 Road towards Nchalo trading centre, which currently is so narrow considering the heavy vehicle traffic — coupled with lots of pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists.
