LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Parliamentary Public Appointments Committee (PAC) has summoned the board of directors of the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation over the recruitment of Director General Brian Banda.
The meeting, which was initially scheduled for Friday afternoon at Parliament Building in Lilongwe, has since been moved to Saturday in Salima at the Peculier venue — a development that has raised questions over the choice of location.
PAC vice-chairperson Joshua Malango told committee members that the MBC board indicated it would not be available for the Friday session due to other commitments.
“We have been informed that the MBC Board will not be available today due to other commitments and the meeting has since been moved to Saturday in Salima,” said Malango.
The committee is expected to scrutinise the procedures and criteria used by the MBC board in recruiting Banda as Director General following growing public debate surrounding his appointment.
Banda’s appointment earlier this year attracted criticism from some media stakeholders and governance commentators, who questioned the transparency of the recruitment process and whether the position was openly advertised.
Others also raised concerns about Banda’s academic and professional qualifications for the influential role at the state broadcaster.
The controversy later attracted the attention of the Ombudsman’s office, which reportedly opened investigations into the recruitment process amid allegations of irregularities.
Before his appointment at MBC, Banda worked as a journalist and television presenter and also served in various government communication roles.
Meanwhile, the relocation of the PAC meeting from Lilongwe to Salima has fuelled speculation in political and media circles, with some questioning whether the move could reduce public and media scrutiny surrounding the matter.
However, no official explanation has been provided regarding the choice of venue beyond the board’s reported unavailability.
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