By Falles Kamanga and Martha Kachingwe
Reverend Lazarus Chakwera’s Tonse Alliance government has failed to govern the nation with numerous scandals dashing hopes for many Malawians. This is contrary to expectation of many just three years in power.
For instance, details are emerging that the Tonse-led government has unprocedurally recruited about 700 people who didn’t attend any interviews; prompting accountability institutions to demand an immediate investigation.
One of them for Peter Ngalawa Phiri, with reference number HRM/CON/09 reads: “Letter of appointment for one Anne Phiri Kabichi reads: “I write to inform you that it has pleased government to appoint you on a three year contract as Chief Basic Education Officer (Grade F) in the Ministry of Education with effect from the date you assume the duties of the post.
“Following this appointment, you are eligible for renumeration, terms and conditions of service applicable to civil servants serving on contract as Grade F and you will commence to draw the renumeration with effect from the date you assume the duties of the post.”
Signed by Peter Cheyo in the Department of Human Resource Management and Development (DHRMD), the letter further says the office will prepare an appropriate employment contract containing terms and conditions of service for the post.
Some inside sources within government claim there were no interviews for these appointments and that officers in the DHRMD simply received an order from the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) to write the letters.
Cheyo declined to confirm if the people underwent any interview process; demanding to know who gave us his contact and the information.
DHRMD Secretary Blessings Chibade was not available for a comment while the department’s spokesperson Ken Ntonga pleaded for more time before responding.
Another source at OPC confided in The Radar that initially the number of the unlawfully recruited people was at 400 before some additions; pushing the figure to around 700 now. It’s not clear what OPC intends to achieve though.
Officials at OPC have been more elusive and at pains to explain the suspicious recruitments while some insiders say the appointments point to political appeasement ahead of the 2025 general elections.
We have further gathered that some officials tried to reason with OPC on the illegality of the appointments but such advice reportedly fell on deaf ears on account that it was an order. No questions!
Reacting to this, Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency-CSAT Executive Willy Kambwandira has demanded an immediate investigation by the Anti-Corruption Bureau-ACB and the Ombudsman’s office, describing the move as a serious anomaly that must be corrected.
“This is wrong and must be corrected. The recruitment contradicts not only the civil service regulations but also the principles of fair labour practices which demand transparent and fair recruitment processes,” adds Kambwandira.
He adds proves the much touted public sector reforms are a pure lie.
A week ago, President Chakwera almost rubbished the country’s media for allegedly not following the positives his government is registering through the Public Sector Reforms drive.
But emerging relentless scandals happening under his watch put on spotlight his claim that he is implementing recommendations in the 2021 reforms report initially meant to cleanse the civil service in areas of procurement, contracts and allowances, highly regarded as fertile grounds for stinking corruption.
“The document is not for public entertainment or debates that produce nothing but noise,” challengly said Chakwera when the public sought reasons for keeping the report underwraps.
After shocking revelations of careless plunder of about K4 billion meant for Covid-19 fight, the Tonse-led administration has been so hardworking in multiple scandals with complete disregard.
Fort instance, the administration is yet to recover K750 million following a botched fertilizer supply deal with a butchery in the United Kingdom. This was after Malawi embassy officials suddenly raised flags when authorities were also ready to purchase fertilizer from a textile company in China in another shady deal.
Currently, government is embroiled in fresh scandals. It has emerged that authorities signed a MK155 billion fertilizer contract with an oil and fish company in Namibia.
This has come out amid yet another controversial MK128 billion fertilizer contract with a Romanian company, East Bridge Estates which majors in pharmacy.
But Agriculture Minister Sam Kawale downplays fears that funds will be lost; arguing it is a commodity exchange deal but Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture has summoned him and his ministry officials for further questioning tommorow, Monday.
Then, the sealing of the nine-member political Tonse Alliance that later defeated Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) with a pledge to remove rubble in government.
Notice: Additional information sourced from The Radar
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article are those of the author not necessarily of The Maravi Post or Editor
