KARONGA COUNCIL CHAIR SIMUSOKWE RISK ARREST

A Karonga Vendors Committee led by their Chairperson , Goodwin Ghambi,met the Senior Chief Kalonga at his Mwahimba Headquarters yesterday.

Speaking to reporters after meeting the Chief, Mr Ghambi said they decided to meet the influential Chief because Karonga District Council is not helping them. He claimed that yje District Commissioner is afraid of Councillors who are disturbing business at the market by continuing selling plots to non vendors and Tanzanians. He alleged that he has evidence that Steven Simusokwe, Chairperson of Karonga District Council, sold 12 plots at the newly allocated Hardware Section of Karonga Market amounting to more than K4 Million. He further said that at one time he was on accompany of Simusokwe and another Councillor Smart Mwakayila they went to meet the District Commissioner, Mr Paul Kalilombe, where Simusokwe shouted at the DC that he must stop investigating plots scandals or else he will leave Karonga. Ghambi conceded that though he does not sale Hardware Merchandise, he was coaxed by Simusokwe, and was offered one plot which being afraid of vendors he sold to a Mr Mwakitalo.

Meanwhile, Paramount Chief Kyungu led a high powered Chiefs Delegation and visited Karonga Market today to see plots allegedly sold by Simusokwe. As we went to press,the Paramount Chief had not yet briefed reporters on the next step they will take.

Karonga Vendors has given Government 7 days to institute investigation and arrest Simusokwe, and deport all undocumented Tanzanians at Karonga Market and take all plots and share them to Malawians.They have further demanded a complete halt of Operation Dongosolo.

They have threatened to demonstrate should Government and Minister of Local Government act decisively. Simusokwe, Ngasalayumo Mwangonde and Smart Kaira are arleady investigated by Anti Corruption Bureau for selling public land last year amounting to K2.4 Million but regardless of vivid evidence reported through Commission of Inquiry instituted by DC Kalilombe, no arrest has been made.