Two people were arrested at Chilomoni Ground in Blantyre Tuesday during the distribution of relief maize after State Vice President Michael Usi pounced on faces that were allegedly repeatedly receiving 50 kilogramme (kg) bags of maize he was handing out.
Usi alleged that some faces were seen receiving maize a number of times, prompting him to apprehend the suspects and hand them over to Chilomoni Police Station officers, who took them to their cells.
“When we are talking about hunger, we are talking about people who are going through the pain of it. There are people that are responsible for registration of beneficiaries, logistics and distribution who want to take advantage of the situation and start abusing their responsibilities. Sometimes, relief items are stolen,” he said.
“The President [Lazarus Chakwera] asked me to come to the Southern Region to oversee this programme. Therefore, it is my responsibility to make sure that the distribution goes smoothly and whoever is playing around with this programme should be arrested because this is not only unethical but also illegal,” he said.
Chilomoni Police Station officers said they would comment on the issue at an appropriate time.
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On his part, Blantyre City Council Chief Executive Officer Dennis Chinseu said they would ensure that all intended beneficiaries get their share of relief items.
“We, as a council, are doing everything possible to make sure that any challenge is sorted out. As such, we believe that no one is going to complain about the process,” he said.
Felix Adaki, a visually challenged musician from Chirimba Township, hailed the government for introducing the initiative.
About 2,500 people from 23 wards within Blantyre City received a 50 kg bag of maize each.
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The government is distributing the items through the Department of Disaster Management Affairs.
