Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has withdrawn the appointment of journalist Aubrey Sumbuleta as High Commissioner-designate to Tanzania.
Sumbuleta was scheduled to appear before the Public Appointments Committee (PAC) of Parliament in Lilongwe yesterday for confirmation interviews along with other diplomats designated to head diplomatic missions but he did not appear at his scheduled time.
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PAC chairperson Felix Njawala confirmed that the committee received information midway through the confirmation hearings that Sumbuleta’s appointment had been withdrawn by the appointing authority.
He said the letter served on the committee did not indicate the reasons behind the withdrawal of the high commissioner designate to Tanzania.
“We received communication regarding the withdrawal of Mr Sumbuleta who was supposed to appear before this committee for confirmation hearings. Details of this whole issue cannot be provided to the public but what we have received is a letter from the appointing authority instructing us about the withdrawal of this appointment,” said Njawala.
He said the committee continues to carefully scrutinise all appointees as they will serve the interests of the country in their respective roles.
Njawala said that yesterday alone, the committee interviewed five diplomatic designates and hopes the process will be concluded by Friday or at the latest Saturday.
When asked to comment on the latest development, Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) spokesperson Focus Maganga asked for more time when approached for comment on the matter.
Similarly, Chief Secretary Justin Saidi in an interview yesterday said he would find out more information and get back to us.
“Let me find out first on the issue and I will come back to you,” he said.
Yesterday, the committee interviewed Robert Dafter Salama designated as High Commissioner to the Republic of South Africa, Patrick Makina designated as High Commissioner to the Republic of Zambia, David Nungu, designated as High Commissioner to the Republic of Zimbabwe, Reynold Mangisa designated as High Commissioner to the Republic of Mozambique and General Spoon Phiri designated as Permanent Representative to the United Nations
President Peter Mutharika appointed 13 ambassadors, nine high commissioners and four consuls general designate.
