BY STAFF REPORTER
What happens when a small piece of office equipment disappears?
For most people, a date stamp is little more than a tool used to mark documents. But for local authorities, it represents authenticity, accountability and public trust. In Nkayi, the disappearance of a single council date stamp has raised concerns about the potential misuse of official documents.
The Nkayi Rural District Council (RDC) has issued an urgent public notice after one of its official date stamps went missing during an outlicensing exercise in Nkayi’s downstores section.
In a notice released on five days ago , the council said it had lost the date stamp labelled “OUTLICENCING 2”
“Nkayi Rural District Council would like to advise the public that it lost one of its official date stamps ‘OUTLICENCING 2’ on 02nd June 2026, in Nkayi Downstores Section during an outlicencing exercise,” reads part of the notice.
While a missing stamp may appear insignificant, council officials say the risk lies in what could happen if it falls into the wrong hands. Date stamps are commonly used to validate applications, receipts, permits and other official records.
To prevent possible fraud, the council has declared any documents bearing the missing stamp invalid from June 3 onwards.
“The public is advised that as from the 03rd June 2026, no official council documents were stamped using this date stamp. Council will not recognize any documents stamped with this date stamp on and after the 03rd June 2026,” the notice states.
The warning effectively means that anyone presenting documents carrying the “OUTLICENCING 2” stamp after that date could face scrutiny, as council has distanced itself from any future use of the missing stamp.
The council has appealed to residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious use of the stamp.
“Should you pick up the date stamp kindly hand it over to Nkayi RDC Offices or ZRP Nkayi or any nearest police station. Please report anyone found using this date stamp purporting to be a council official,” the notice further reads.
