Kumbatira appointed new Macra boss

Malawi President Peter Mutharika has appointed post master general of Malawi Posts Corporation (MPC) Andrew Kumbatira as the new director general of Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) replacing Charles Nsaliwa.

Confirming the development in an interview yesterday, Kumbatira said he was yet to receive the appointment letter, but he has been told by authorities that he has been offered the appointment.

“Yes, I can confirm. I have been informed that I have been given this appointment. All I can say is that I am greatly honoured and feel deeply humbled,” said Kumbatira in an email interview from Nairobi, Kenya where he is on official duty.

He said Macra was an important institution for the social economic development of the country and he would ensure that it continues playing its rightful role.

According to Capital Hill sources, President Mutharika has posted Nsaliwa to Ministry of Information, Tourism and Culture as principal secretary and has also appointed Godfrey Itaye as the new post master general.

But Nsaliwa, who renewed his three-year contract in 2012, said on Monday he was not aware about his removal from Macra and eventual posting to the Ministry of Information.

Macra board chairperson Martha Kwataine said she was in a meeting and could not comment on the matter.

Nsaliwa, a former Malawi Telecommunications Limited (MTL) employee, was appointed Macra director general by former president the late Bingu wa Mutharika in December 2009, taking over from Mike Kuntiya who worked in an acting capacity from November 2008.

The former president also appointed Kumbatira, an economist, as MPC post master general in October 2010. Before that ,he worked as executive director of Malawi Economic Justice Network (Mejn).