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Tonse Alliance has challenged the legality of a Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development directive instructing local authorities to appoint interim Ward Developmenftt Committees (WDCs), arguing that the process could undermine residents’ right to elect their representatives.
Tonse Alliance National Chairperson for Local Government and Rural Development, Maxson Nkhoma, said the directive was inconsistent with the Local Government Act No. 2 of 2019, which provides for the election of zonal representatives to WDCs.
Nkhoma was reacting to a circular dated October 19, 2026, issued by the Ministry directing local authorities to appoint interim committees following the suspension of WDC elections.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Friday, he said although interim arrangements could be necessary to ensure continuity in community development and service delivery, they should comply with existing legal provisions.
“My concern is that the directive appears to introduce an appointment process that could undermine the legally prescribed participation of communities in selecting their representatives,” Nkhoma said.
He cited Section 36(1)(a) of the Local Government Act, which provides for an elected zonal representative from each zone, and Section 36(5), which assigns local authorities responsibility for conducting zonal elections.
Nkhoma argued that the provisions require zonal representatives to be elected by residents rather than appointed by District Commissioners or other administrative authorities.
He said although the law provides for the appointment and nomination of other categories of WDC membership, those provisions should not be used to replace the electoral process for zonal representatives.
Nkhoma also questioned the involvement of District Commissioners in the appointment process, saying their administrative responsibilities should not extend to replacing the electoral mandate of communities.
He argued that an administrative circular could not override an Act of Parliament and called on the Ministry to identify the legal provisions authorising the appointment of interim committees.
Nkhoma further urged the Ministry to review the circular to ensure that the statutory requirement for elected zonal representatives was upheld and that District Commissioners did not exercise powers not expressly provided for under the law.
“Our position is not against the continued operation of Ward Development Committees. Rather, we are defending the integrity of these important grassroots governance structures against any administrative practice that may weaken democratic participation and community ownership,” he said.
He said WDCs served as a link between communities and local authorities, adding that their legitimacy depended on the participation and confidence of residents.
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