The World Food Programme (WFP) has temporarily stopped the cash transfer distribution exercise under the 2022/23 lean season response Programme due to alleged misconduct by some chiefs towards benefiting households in Balaka district.

Deputy Country Director of WFP, Simon Denhere said on Thursday that the organization is now doing field confirmations on targeted beneficiaries.

One of the chiefs in the district, Chief Chanthunya said he is worried that helpless families in the district are being punished because of one Traditional Authority and his assistant’s damage in the alleged wrong doings.

According to WFP communications manager, Francis Thawani, the organisation is working with government through Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) and the council with other partners to continue the exercise soon.