Tag Archives: Blessings Chilabade

Malawi

Malawi’s Tonse Alliance government not for ‘babies’: top-notch administrator Chilabade recalled from retirement

Maneno Chimulala
Blessings Chilabade

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)—In an apparent display of disregard to the plight of the youth, Tonse Alliance Government, under the leadership of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) President Lazarus Chakwera and his deputy Saulos Klaus Chilima of UTM party, has called back retired officers to man government departments.

According to new appointments that MaraviPost has seen, Principal Secretary (PS) for Human Resource Management and Development Mr. Chimota has been replaced by Mr  Blessings Chilabade (retired) while Sandram Maweru has been recalled from retirement to replace P.S. for Irrigation.

Ironically, throughout the presidential campaign and after the election,  Chakwera and Chilima promised 1 million jobs to the youth of Malawi  and one of the ways was to get rid of all retired civil servants working on contract in government departments so as to create space for the youth with relevant qualifications.

However, social media is awash with praises for Chilabade as a rare germ in administrative matters.

Activists on social media are of the view that Chilabade has been called to help in human resources management and development owing to his excellent track record in business administration.

Before moving to reform department in 2014, Chilabade was the director of Staff Development Institute (SDI) for several years and during his time the institution was a busy place as it was the first choice of many parents for their children’s tertiary education.

In other appointments, Lucky sikwese has replaced Ben Botolo as  PS for the ministry of Foreign Affairs.  No information as to where Botolo is heading.

Principal Secretary for Ministry of Education, Mr Saidi has been deployed to OPC as PS Special Duties and has been replaced by Chikondano Kadzamila (Mrs. Mussa) while Mr. Peter Simbani is now PS for Ministry of Industry following a promotion.

James Chiusiwa is now Commissioner for Disaster Management Affairs replacing Elvis Thodi whose next destination is yet to be known.

Christina Chatima Zakeyo is now PS for Trade replacing Kiswell Dakamau who goes to Education as Chief Director. Joseph Mkandawire goes to Natural Resources as PS.

Jean Munyenyembe is now Accountant General replacing Sungani Mandala whose next post it not clear yet. Patrick Zimpita is now PS for Transport and Public Works replacing Francis Chinsinga who retired recently.

It is also rumoured that Dr. Charles Mwansambo has replaced Dr. Namalika as PS for Ministry of Health.

Malawi

Malawi Prison warders called off nationwide strike; govt assures perks harmonization

Ausborn Banda

prison workers on strike
prison workers on strike

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)- The Malawi Prison Service’s (MPS) warders on Tuesday called-off the nationwide strike, after Government assured the officers that it will harmonize the salaries in the Ministry.

This follows fruitful discussions Home Affairs Minister, Grace Chiumia held with the prison administration officers on Monday; this led to Government bowing to warders demands.

Malawi Prison Services spokesperson, Smart Maliro, said work resumed in some prisons facilities across the nation following the strike call-off.

Maliro down/played security lapses following the national-wide strike; he said some officers worked despite the dispute with authority over salary harmonization request by his sector.

Prison warders on Friday last week went on strike following disparities in salary scales adjusted for civil servants in the 2017/2018 national budget that Parliament passed last month.

In the circular dated July 4, 2017, Secretary for Human Resource Management and Development, Blessings Chilabade, disclosed that civil servants who have just been employed on Grade L, will get an annual salary of MK1,168,848, while those on Grade M will get MK1,013,976; the adjustment are effective July 1, 2017.

The MPS, which is one of the three departments in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security, in the new salary increment was to receive different salary structure from the Police and Immigration, even though the three sections undergo similar training and similar qualifications.

The most contentious issues was that a constable at the MAlawi Prison Service was on Grade M, while an officer of the same rank in the Malawi Police Service is on Grade L.

This means that with the current adjustment those that have been promoted to grade L would be carting away home MK95,000, up from MK75,000.

Therefore, prison warders were demanding adjustment of the grades, risk and house allowances.