Nkhotakota DC, Finance Director Sent on Leave Over MK600m Probe
Published on February 20, 2026 at 4:30 PM by Edgar Naitha
Government has sent Nkhotakota District Commissioner Ben Matengeni Tonho and former Director of Finance Khumbo Masankhula on three-month leave pending investigations into alleged financial mismanagement involving more than MK600 million at Nkhotakota District Council.
The decision was confirmed by Local Government spokesperson Chimwemwe Njoloma.
The action follows concerns raised to Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Ben Malunga Phiri during his recent visit to the council, where the council chairperson complained that large sums of public funds had been mismanaged.
According to information released, the funds were allegedly diverted through irregular transactions and inter-borrowing without approval from the National Local Government Finance Committee.
Government has since tasked the National Audit Office with conducting investigations, and further action will be taken once the probe is completed.
Tonho and Masankhula have not yet commented on the matter.
