(NYASATIMES) Observers say Mwananvenkha appointment as Secretary to Treasury is ‘nepotism’

Observers say Mwananvenkha appointment as Secretary to Treasury is ‘nepotism’
By Nyasa Times
Published: November 12, 2009

Nyasa Times recently published an exclusive report revealing that Mwadiwa had been fired and that Chief Secretary to the Office of the President and Cabinet, Bright Msaka, is also online to get redeployed.

Government confirmed on Tuesday about Mwadiwa’s sacking. Madula a Malawian of Zimbabwean origin and his full name is Radson Mwadiwa Sithole has been posted to Office of President and Cabinet (OPC).

The daily papers on Wednesday reported that Malawi Savings Bank (MSB) CEO, Joseph Mwanamvekha, has been appointed Secretary to Treasury on a three year contract.

Mwanamvekha is a protégé of President Mutharika and chairs the Mulakho wa Alhomwe heritage group founded by the President.

Nyasa Times interviewed a random selection of people in Malawi to react to the news of Mwanamvekha’s appointment, and here are some of the comments:

George William Nthara told Nyasa Times that the appointment of Mwanamveka fosters continuing public fears that President Mutharika is promoting people from his tribe to monopolise prominent positions and share the remaining few posts among other tribes.

“Today Malawi is controlled by a small section of the society, the Mulakho wa Alhomwe, which is very bad for our country,” noted Nthara.

Lauren Chiutsi Phiri also observed that most top positions in Malawi are being held by Lhomwe people saying the President is a Lomwe, Inspector General of Police Peter Mukhito a Lhomwe, Chief Immigration Officer Elvis Thodi a Lhomwe, Director of the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) Alex Nampota a Lhomwe and Head of Security Intelligence Service Clement Kapalamula a Lhomwe.

Other Lhomwe’s in high positions include Chief Justice Lovemore Munlo, Chair of Electoral Commission Anastasia Msosa, CEO of Admarc from Thyolo, Charles Matabwa, CEO of Escom Peter Zembani, Chief of Staff at State House Edward Sawerengela, Reserve Bank Governor Perks Ligoya and Clerk of Parliament Matilda Katopola.

Companies doing business with government especially on large contracts have directors from the same ethnic extraction, pointed out Andrew Chawinga, another interviewee of Nyasa Times.

“Malawi is a very poor country and the only source of survival is dependent on government for employment, business and for provision of social services so if this government is dominated by one minority tribe we are setting a time bomb that may not explode now but will one day do so,” noted Chawinga.

A senior government official told Nyasa Times that Msaka will be replaced by PS for Public Service Reform Willie Samute.

According to the reliable source, Msaka will be redeployed to the diplomatic service.