LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The government of Malawi has suspended three senior officials heading key statutory corporations, Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr. Justin Saidi has confirmed.
Those affected include George Kasakula, Director General of the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC); Daud Suleman, Director General of the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA); and Humphrey Mdyetseni, Chief Executive Officer of the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF).
Dr. Saidi stated that the decision was made to facilitate ongoing investigations but did not reveal the specific reasons behind the suspensions.
He emphasized that the move is part of the government’s continued effort to ensure accountability, transparency, and integrity within public institutions.
According to sources within Capital Hill, the suspensions come at a time when the government is strengthening oversight and performance monitoring of parastatal organizations.
The affected institutions — MBC, MACRA, and NEEF — play crucial roles in the country’s media, communications, and economic empowerment sectors, respectively.
MBC serves as the national public broadcaster, MACRA regulates the communications industry, while NEEF oversees financial inclusion and economic empowerment initiatives for small and medium enterprises.
Observers note that the simultaneous suspension of three top executives signals a broader effort by the Mutharika administration to address governance and operational challenges in public institutions.
Meanwhile, interim leaders are expected to be appointed to ensure continuity of operations in the affected organizations while investigations proceed.
The Office of the President and Cabinet has assured the public that the process will be conducted fairly and in accordance with established procedures.
As the investigations continue, Malawians await further clarification on the circumstances that led to the suspensions and the potential implications for the leadership of the country’s key parastatals.
The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) has confirmed that it recently conducted a stakeholder visit to Ghana in response to growing rumors regarding its procurement of a surveillance machine from HASHCOM Ghana Ltd.
This visit, according to Macra, was organized to address concerns and provide clarity on the allegations surrounding the purchase of the surveillance technology.
A diverse group of stakeholders participated in the visit, including representatives from various media houses, members of the parliamentary media committee, and officials from the ICT Association of Malawi.
The primary objective of the trip was to gain a better understanding of the machine’s functionality and to learn more about HASHCOM Ghana Ltd., the company responsible for the product.
During the visit, the stakeholders were able to observe firsthand how the machine works and how it might be utilized in Malawi.
Daud Suleman, the Director General of Macra, shared with MIJ Online that, in addition to gaining insight into the company’s history and experience, the stakeholders were given a thorough explanation of how the surveillance machine operates.
Paul Nkhoma, the Co-chair of the Cluster Committee on Communications, also expressed his satisfaction with the detailed clarification provided by Macra during the visit.
He noted that the trip had been instrumental in dispelling any misconceptions surrounding the surveillance machine and its intended use.
The stakeholders left Ghana with a better understanding of the machine’s capabilities, the company’s reputation, and its potential application in Malawi.
In light of the clarifications, the stakeholders have assured the public that the machine will be used responsibly and in line with Malawi’s regulatory standards.
The visit to Ghana has proven to be an important step in clearing up any misunderstandings and fostering greater transparency around Macra’s activities.
This move by Macra highlights the importance of communication and collaboration with key stakeholders, especially when addressing rumors that could potentially affect public trust in regulatory authorities.
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi has taken the lead in Sub-Saharan Africa by offering the most affordable data prices, according to a recent report by cable.co.uk, a prominent platform for broadband, TV, and phone comparisons.
Covering data prices from June to September 2023, the report places Malawi at the top of the African ranking and 29th globally with an impressively low average data price of just $0.38 per 1GB.
In an analysis by African Business Insider specializing in African economics, technology, energy transition, and climate change, it is noted that high data costs have historically hindered internet access, particularly in Africa.
However, the analysis acknowledges the progress made by certain African countries, including Malawi, as a way in the right direction.
This achievement is even more remarkable when compared to the 2020 report from the same source, which ranked Malawi as having the highest mobile data prices in Africa, reaching an alarming US$27.41 per 1GB.
Daud Suleman, Director General of the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), expressed immense pride in Malawi’s strides towards low data costs.
He stated, “Our commitment to ensuring that the digital services are accessible to all Malawians has remained steadfast. We firmly believe that affordable data services are a fundamental right.
“We are heartened to see our efforts reflected in these results. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that every citizen can harness the benefits of the internet.”
Suleman emphasized that Malawi’s success has proven that low data cost is not merely a dream but a reality capable of transforming lives.
He further committed to ensuring that every Malawian has the opportunity to leverage the power of the Internet for personal and economic growth.
Chisomo Chimwaza, a third-year student at Mzuzu University, highlighted the critical role of the Internet in education.
“Access to affordable internet is crucial for our studies, and with the current lower internet costs, it has become easier to access study materials,” she said.
Based on the findings of the cable.co.uk report, Nigeria secures the second position with a data price of $0.39, while Egypt ranks 10th with a rate of $0.65 per 1GB, further highlighting Malawi’s pioneering efforts in affordable data access within the region.
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) is entangled in procurement controversy after buying an official vehicle for its director general beyond his entitlement.
The authority bought a state-of the-art Toyota Prado VX model for its boss Daud Suleman from Toyota Malawi when the entitlement is a Toyota Prado TX model.
The move is a direct contravention of government’s motor vehicle entitlement policy for chief executive officers and directors in State corporations.
Documents Weekend Nation has seen indicate that in November 2021, Macra’s administration department made a request to the Internal Procurement and Disposal Committee (IPDC) to procure a vehicle for Suleman who reported for duties on November 1 2021.
The purchase, according to minutes of the IPDC we have seen, was to be in line with the existing circular from the Comptroller of Statutory Corporations dated July 18 2017 that chief executive officers are entitled to Toyota Prado TX.
The authority, through its Procurement and Disposal Unit (PDU), further sourced a quotation from Toyota Malawi for a Toyota Prado TXL amounting to MK109 million.
“Upon critical deliberation of the request the IPDC approved the procurement of the vehicle for the director general and advised the Procurement and Disposal Unit to seek for a ‘No Objection’ from PPDA,” reads part of the IPDC minutes after its meeting held on November 12 2021 at Macra head office in Blantyre.
The IPDC was chaired by Elvin Mwapasa (acting director of finance), former procurement manager Grace Kaphale was secretary while Fergus Lipenga (former director of broadcasting) and Dan Chiwoni (deputy director of legal services) were members.
Macra proceeded to seek a ‘No Objection’ from PPDA through a request made on November 17 2021, which was duly granted.
“Macra would like to procure a Toyota Prado TXL for the director general. The procurement follows the recruitment of the new director general for the authority.
“The total cost of the vehicle is K109 081 975.46 from Toyota Malawi.
Therefore, we request your office to allow Macra to procure the vehicle using single sourcing,” reads Macra’s letter to PPDA signed by former director of finance Ben Chitsonga.
According to Macra’s conditions of service, the director general is entitled to a personal-to-holder vehicle valued at $150 000 (then K123.7 million) and so the TXL was within the limit.
However, despite PPDA granting Macra a ‘No Objection’ to procure Toyota Prado TXL, the authority decided to purchase a Toyota Prado 2.8 TD Auto VXL 2800 from Toyota Malawi at K136 896 000.
A source at Macra said this was a clear case of misprocurement as the decision to buy a Toyota Prado 2.8 TD Auto VXL 2800 was not discussed and approved by the IPDC.
“The IPDC was sidelined in the entire process of deciding to buy a vehicle that is beyond the director general’s entitlement. Short-cuts were used, they maneuvered to buy the VXL,” said the source.
When contacted on Thursday, Mwapasa declined to comment on the issue referring Weekend Nation to Macra board chairperson Stanley Khaila.
Khaila said he would not comment on the issue because his tenure as board chair for the entity expired yesterday while Suleman simply said the information we had was wrong and refused to comment on why the board bought a vehicle different from the one PPDA had approved.
Toyota Prado 2.8 TD Auto VXL 2800 is a newer model and according to the existing government circular, they are meant for Cabinet ministers and their deputies.
Comptroller of Statutory Corporation Peter Simbani without directly commenting on the issue said government was working on a policy that would recommend vehicle types for certain officers based on engine capacities rather than by brand or model because the existing policy is not in line with the PPDA Act.
But accountability and transparency watchdog Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency (Csat) said what Macra did was a show of extravagance, and contempt to President Lazarus Chakwera’s call for austerity measures.
“There is no justification for the purchase of such a luxurious vehicle when tax payers are suffering. It is clear that we have people in this country who are living in their own world. We expect the appointing authority to take relevant correction action against those who breached the law,” said Csat executive director Willy Kambwandira.
On his part, an expert in good governance and public expenditure tracking and analysis Mavuto Bamusi noted Macra’s conduct reflects the state of impunity and arrogance.
“Macra is also in breach of public procurement law. In a nutshell, Macra is involved in plunder and abuse of scarce public funds at a time Malawi is going through a deep economic crisis,” he said.
In May last year, Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation suspended its former general manager Rhino Chiphiko after he bought aK107 million Nissan Patrol official vehicle.
This move ignored the Admarc board’s decision a month earlier to buy a smaller and cheaper vehicle for the cash-strapped grain trader.
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Public Appointments Committee (PAC) of Parliament has summoned Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) board of directors to respond to allegations that newly hired director general (DG) Daud Suleman was irregularly recruited.
PAC chairperson Joyce Chitsulo told the Nation Newspaper that her committee has moved to investigate the recruitment following complaints they have been receiving on the matter.
“It’s true we have summoned Macra over the recruitment of the parastatal’s director general following complaints that we have been receiving on the matter. So, we would like to hear from the Macra board on the matter,” she said.
Chitsulo said PAC has scheduled its meeting with the Macra board of directors this weekend.
Suleman: appointment to be probed
She said her committee has received complaints from several individuals and the civil society organisation Forum for National Development.
Chitsulo said that after the meeting, PAC will determine on how to proceed.
Macra board chairperson Stanley Khaila confirmed receiving a notice from PAC for the said meeting to explain on the recruitment process.
“We have indeed been requested by the Public Appointments Committee to report on the processes that the board of directors undertook to recruit the director general. According to the letter, we are only being asked to explain on the steps followed,” Khaila sdays
But Khaila said he could not comment on any allegations of a flawed recruitment process, stressing that contents of the letter PAC has written them only border on explanation of processes followed in the recruitment process.
He said the board followed procedures in the recruitment of the new DG.
Section 19 (1) of the Communications Act gives powers to the Macra board to appoint the DG who shall be the chief executive officer of the authority and shall, subject to the general supervision of the authority, be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the authority.
Further, Section 19 (2) of the Communications Act states that the DG shall be a person with sufficient experience and qualifications in either the communications industry, finance, economics, engineering, accountancy, commerce, law or administration and shall be required to demonstrate knowledge and excellence in one or more of the areas of electronic communications, postal and broadcasting services.
Minister of Information Gospel Kazako announced Suleman’s appointment in a Facebook post on October 13, saying he excelled from a competitive interviewing process which the board conducted. He said there were 11 candidates shortlisted.
Suleman’s appointment came after the parastatal had been running with an acting director general for five months following nullification of the contracts of former DGs Henry Shamu and Godfrey Itaye by the Office of the Ombudsman in May this year due to their alleged irregular recruitments.
Shamu, who is former postmaster general and was seconded from Malawi Posts Corporation as director general, was not subject of the complaint, but the Ombudsman said she reviewed his employment as a matter that emerged in the Macra investigation.
Kololiko Holdings abandons guest wing without pay for seven months
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-President Lazarus Chakwera’s Malawi Congress Party (MCP)’s investment firm Kokoliko Holdings Limited was mortified after the court ruled in favour of Bina M.W.Kakusa who dragged Kokoliko to court over MK3.1m unpaid guest wing rentals.
The High court of Malawi judge, Charlotte Wezi Mesikano Malonda passed the judgment following a lawsuit dated June 14, 2021 against Kokoliko Holdings for unpaid rentals.
According to reports, the firm signed agreement with the owner of the property to use the property from December 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021 with subject to renewal.
It is reported that just few months after occupying the facility that was hosting MCP Members of Parliament (MPs) and officials when are in Lilongwe for leisure and recess, Kokoliko abandoned the house without notice to the Landlord.
However, after being dragged to court the firm was given up to 16th April 2021 to file and serve a defence which Kokoliko reportedly failed to do so in the specified time given by the court. The firm also did not show up at the court and did not submit any statements against the claims made by Kakusa family, the owner of the property.
According to the summon dated 5th May 2021, Kokoliko is supposed to pay rental arrears of MK3,150,000, accrued interest of MK315,142.00 ; interest at commercial bank lending rate of 24.4% per annum and collection charges of MK233,954.00 and cost of action.
In the ruling, the High court of Malawi stated that Kokoliko Holdings Limited denied the claims made by Kakusa family but their arguments were not based on facts which made their defence “empty and malnourished”
The court consequently ruled in favor of the claimant, Bina M.W.Kakusa with cost.
It also ordered the assessment to be done by the assistant registrar following the summery Judgement.
Kokoliko Holdings Limited lawyer Gift Nankhuni told The Maravi Post that his client will pay rentals.
The Maravi Post understands that Kokoliko guest wing whose Director is MCP information technology (IT) specialist Daud Suleman utilities have been disconnected due to unpaid bills.
But no single amount of rentals has been paid to the landlord including unpaid electricity, water bills and guards salaries.
The lawsuit for unpaid rentals comes after Kokoliko early this year secured funding worth US$50 million (MK39 billion) and expect another MK39 billion to be raised to be invested for its 28 projects in various sectors to spur economic development.
Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) is on record alleging that “some political heavy weights are part of bankrolling Kokoliliko Holdings Ltd to be the main vehicle for siphoning taxpayers money through dubious tenders as demonstrated in this case.”
This is shameful and heartless for MCP firm failing to pay such little amount of money for rentals and guards when Kokoliko enjoys lucrative contracts including farm inputs from Tonse government.
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-President Lazarus Chakwera’s Malawi Congress Party (MCP)’s investment firm Kokoliko Holdings Limited has been dragged to court for failing to pay guest wing rentals pegged at MK3,150, 000.00 for the last seven months.
Kokoliko is mandated also to pay accrued interest of MK315,142.00 as of May 31, 2021; interest at commercial bank lending rate of 24.4% per annum compounded monthly as continues to accrues and MK233,954.00 being indemnity on collection charges plus VAT thereon payable by claimant to its legal practitioners on the sums collected therein.
The company has been renting the house plot number Area 12/98 belonging to Bina M.W.Kakusa since December 1, 2020.
MCP’s Kokoliko Holdings dragged to court over unpaid MK3.1m seven months rentals
The Maravi Post understands that Kokoliko guest wing whose Director is MCP information technology (IT) specialist Daud Suleman utilities have been disconnected due to unpaid bills.
But no single amount of rentals has been paid to the landlord including unpaid electricity, water bills and guards salaries.
The visit to the site on Thursday, June 17, 2021 show the facility being abandoned with one person guarding the site
One of the guards told The Maravi Post that Kokoliko holdings has not paid them for months amounting to MK180,000.00.
“We have been paid in parts with others months without being paid. We have been trying to engage them for several times but no avail. How are we going to survive without being paid.
“Apart from unpaid salaries, we don’t have water and electricity as are also disconnected due to accumulation of bills,” worried a guard at the facility.
The facility was hosting MCP Members of Parliament (MPs) and officials when are in Lilongwe for leisure and recess.
But just a few months occupying the facility of seven months tenancy, Kokoliko abandoned the house without notice to the Landlord.
We understand that the tenancy agreement runs from December 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021 with subject to renewal.
This prompted the Landlord Kakusa family seeking legal intervention after failing to get rentals from Suleman’s Kokoliko despite several attempts.
A lawsuit in our possession dated June 14, 2021, between Kakusa and Kokoliko Holdings, commercial case No 89 of 2021 summoned the defendant (Kokoliko) to the inter-party hearing.
But Sulemani failed to attend the court session without any reason which forced Justice Malonda chambers to reserve ruling to the next fourteen days.
Kokoliko Holdings lawyer Gift Nankhuni acknowledged recipient of the lawsuit but failed to give more details as to why did not show up at the court on Monday.
The lawsuit for unpaid rentals comes after Kokoliko early this year secured funding worth US$50 million (MK39 billion) and expect another MK39 billion to be raised to be invested for its 28 projects in various sectors to spur economic development.
Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) is on record alleging that “some political heavy weights are part of bankrolling Kokoliliko Holdings Ltd to be the main vehicle for siphoning taxpayers money through dubious tenders as demonstrated in this case.”
This is shameful and heartless for MCP firm failing to pay such little amount of money for rentals and guards when Kokoliko enjoys lucrative contracts including farm inputs from Tonse government.
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)—Malawi Congress Party (MCP), a party that could not afford party cloth until late business tycoon Sidik Mia joined them, has started swimming in affluence and its Kokoliliko Holdings is set to invest K77 billion in 28 projects in various sectors.
The firm’s director Daud Suleman disclosed this to journalists on Thursday in Lilongwe at the end of a three-day training for members of three cooperatives under the company.
He said the firm has already secured funding worth $50 million (K39 billion) from international financiers for its projects while the remaining $50 million will be raised locally through public shareholding initiatives.
Suleman said they will follow the cooperative model on their projects, with participants being part of investors through shareholding.
The company has formed three cooperatives, namely Kokoliliko Media, which will have a radio, newspaper and an onlinepublications; the Protgrow Cannabis to grow and process medicinal cannabis; and Kokoliliko, which will implement several projects.
Said Suleman: “The cooperative model ensures that there is a safeguard net for everyone else. When we started Kokoliliko Holdings, there were questions about ownership and investment capital.”
He said the firm is targeting three million Malawians to participate to contribute minimal amounts in a cooperative model to raise capital locally.
Some of the projects lined up include mega farms to produce and process non-traditional cash crops into finished products, poultry and dairy production, among others.
However, information on how they will raise the money is still sketchy, prompting Malawians to speculate that the project is one way of siphoning public funds from the treasury into the ruling MCP pulse for the party’s activities.
The establishment of Kokoliko Holding Limited by renowned Malawi Congress Party (MCP) supporters had raised eyebrows, with the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) fearing for worse.
The company come out from Kokoliko Movement, an MCP youthful wing led by Suleiman which crisscrossed the country during the campaign period towards the June 23, 2020 fresh presidential elections.
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