Late reporting at M’mbelwa council drops

Service delivery at M’mbelwa District Council is expected to improve after a directive from District Commissioner Emmanuel Bulukutu triggered a noticeable change among employees.

Workers at M’mbelwa District Council are now arriving on time after DC Bulukutu moved to tighten discipline at the local authority, a development expected to improve service delivery for thousands of residents.

The change follows growing concerns over habitual lateness among some employees, a practice that had the potential to delay services and frustrate people seeking assistance from the council.

Malawi24 has established that the council introduced stricter measures aimed at enforcing punctuality and strengthening accountability among staff members.

According to an internal memorandum referenced MDC/ADMIN/DC/2026/002, dated June 12, 2026, Bulukutu reminded all council officials that official working hours run from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM with a lunch break from 12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM

The memorandum further directed that all officers must sign an attendance register immediately upon reporting for duty each day. While some employees sign a central register, officers from various directorates are required to sign registers placed at the reception areas of their respective offices.

M’mbelwa District Council spokesperson Joel Phiri confirmed that the directive has yielded positive results, with most employees now reporting for work before the official reporting time.

“Indeed, after noting that some staff members were reporting late for work, the District Commissioner issued a directive on time management. Staff have embraced the instruction, and it is working very well. By the official reporting time of 7:30 PM most employees are already in their offices ready to perform their duties,” said Phiri.

He explained that the District Commissioner introduced the measure because punctuality plays a critical role in improving public service delivery.

“The directive was issued because time management is essential for effective service delivery. We cannot improve the quality of services we provide when officers report late for work while members of the public are already waiting to be served. Observing time is a key component of professionalism, efficiency, and accountability,” he said.

Phiri further expressed satisfaction that council officials accepted the directive without resistance and have since made punctuality part of their daily routine.

“As a council, we are pleased that workers did not resist the directive. Instead, they embraced it, and it has now become part of their daily routine. This positive attitude is helping us serve the people of M’mbelwa more efficiently and effectively,” he added.

The development comes at a time when local authorities across Malawi are placing greater emphasis on efficiency, accountability, and improved public service delivery within government institutions.

Moses Nkhana, Executive Director of Mzimba Youth Organization (MYO) told this publication that he believes that improved punctuality among council employees will contribute to faster service delivery, enhanced productivity, and increased public confidence in the council’s operations.