The Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) has implemented a shake-up at Capital Hill over the past week which has seen some Principal Secretaries (PSs) removed and others redeployed.
At the same time, some PSs with running contracts have been left waiting for further direction while others have been redeployed to “special duties” at the OPC to operate from the infamous ‘Guantanamo’.
Every time a new administration is voted into office such changes are common prompting legal and governance pundits to express fear that scarce public resources will continue to be used to compensate prematurely terminated contracts.
Yesterday, the Malawi Government through its official Facebook Page published pictures of hitherto Secretary to the Treasury Hetherwick Njati handing over the office to Dr. Cliff Chiunda who has made a comeback.
The Ministry of Transport and Public Works page also confirmed the departure of Engineer David Mzandu as PS and appointment of Bright Kumwembe to replace him.
At Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture, PS Richard Hara is now heading to OPC Special Duties to pave the way for the Reverend Moses Chimphepo who was PS at the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma).
In an interview yesterday, Engineer Alfonso Chikuni, who was Secretary for Energy, said his contract has been terminated and that he has been given three months’ notice.
“In the three months, I have been told not to be reporting for duties. However, I have a contract of up to 2028 and I am not sure how they will go about that,” he said.
On the other hand, Engineer Emmanuel Matapa, formerly Roads Authority chief executive officer, yesterday confirmed taking over from Chikuni at Ministry of Energy.
At Foreign Affairs, PS Mwaiwawo Polepole yesterday confirmed being replaced and handing over to Bright Molande.
However, he said he was yet to get the official letter on what happens next as he still has a running contract.
Said Polepole: “I was called by Dr Bright Molande that he was taking over and I have made the handovers. As to what next, we will see when I get the letter.
“I am expecting to get the letter by close of business today [Wednesday] because I also have the same questions on where I will be deployed or what will happen to the remainder of my contract.”
But Accountant General Henry Mphasa disputed social media reports that he has been fired, stating that his contract was expiring in November 2025 since he had a three-year contract from November 2022.
Earlier in the week, Partick Machika took over as PS for National Registration Bureau (NRB), replacing Mphatso Sambo while Dr Levis Eneya, who was PS for Higher Education, confirmed exiting the post to pave the way for Dr Ken Ndala who has also made a comeback.
Ministry of Industrialisation, Business, Trade and Tourism sources confided that Wiskes Mkombezi has been appointed PS while Christina Zakeyu is heading to OPC on special duties.
Secretary for Justice and Solicitor General Allison M’bang’ombe also bid farewell to staff at the Ministry of Justice where the incoming official is yet to be named and report for duties, according to our sources.
Weighing on the matter, private practice lawyer Khwima Mchizi said one would imagine that such positions should be held by professionals, but as reality has it, the professionals are inclined to serve the interests of the appointing authority.
In a separate interview, corporate law expert James Kaphale also called for the need to have career civil servants who work on professional basis regardless of changes in government.
University of Malawi lecturer in governance and political studies Gift Sambo said it was difficult to tame the current trend as the political set up offers high incentives for bureaucratic turnover.
Officials from OPC, including Chief Secretary to the Government Justin Saidi, were yet to respond to our questionnaire on the changes by press time at 8pm.
