Cyclone Freddy: SPC questioned on demand

The opposition United Democratic Front-UDF is against the decision by Capital Hill to set targets on each civil servant in helping cyclone survivors.

In a memo dated March 23, 2023 Secretary to the President and Cabinet Colleen Zamba asks civil servants to make the financial donations.

Zamba has set minimum donation amounts depending on grades to be channelled to the Department of Disaster Management Affairs-DODMA.

Workers on Grade D are required to donate 50, 000 kwacha, Grade E and F 30, 000 kwacha, Grade G, H and I 10, 000 kwacha and 5, 000 kwacha for Grade J and K.

Those on Grade L and M have to donate 2, 000 kwacha each while Grade N and below are at 500 kwacha each.

On the other hand, those on Grade C workers will be required to make a minimum contribution of 100, 000 kwacha while Grade B and above are required to donate 150, 000 kwacha as a starting point.

“In the spirit of Tigwirane Manja as championed by President Chakwera, I would like to appeal to all civil servants, except those working in the affected districts to make financial contribution to support the affected families.” Reads part of the memo.

In an interviewed with Capital FM however, opposition United Democratic Front – UDF publicists Yusuf Mwawa expressed reservations with the government’s step.

“Callings for assistance from the civil service is a fine idea. The only problem we are having with this setup is putting it as a command. Let it be voluntary because it could be that some people have already made donations in one way of the other towards the same.” Stressed Mwawa.

As of Saturday, the Department of Disaster Management Affairs – DoDMA reported that death toll was at 511 with number of reported missing persons at 533 while a total of 564, 239 people have been displaced and 577 camps are set to accommodate the displaced.