Declarations office has new director
Parliament has appointed Michael Chiusiwa as the new director in the Office of the Director of Public Officers’ Declarations (the directorate).
He replaces Chris Tukula whose contract expires next month having served two three-year terms in the office entrusted by Parliament to oversee the declaration of assets, liabilities and business interests of the President, Cabinet, members of Parliament and prescribed public officers.
The directorate’s spokesperson Tiyamike Phiri said Chiusiwa’s appointment follows his success in recent interviews with the parliamentary Public Appointments Committee (PAC).
“The current contracts for the director and deputy director end in August, 2020 and following the interviews which were held on June 21, Chiusiwa has been appointed the new director,” said Phiri.
Parliament’s chief public relations officer Ian Mwenye said the interview was conducted last month and Chiusiwa’s appointment is with effect from August 8.
In 2014, the committee appointed Tukula and Chiusiwa as the first ever director and deputy of directorate, respectively. The committee in 2017 renewed the contracts of the two officers in their respective positions.
Chiusiwa started his career as foreign service officer responsible for political affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before joining Parliament in 2005 as a committee clerk. He rose to head the Parliamentary Committee System, an oversight organ of Parliament, until his appointment as deputy director of the directorate.
He holds a master of science in public policy degree obtained from the University of Bristol, England; and a bachelor of social sciences degree obtained from Chancellor College, University of Malawi, among other qualifications.
The directorate is an independent governance public institution within Malawi Government established in 2014 under Section 6(1) of the Public Officers’ (Declaration of Assets, Liabilities and Business Interests) Act. The Act provides legal and institutional framework for prescribed public officers to declare their assets, liabilities and business interests upon assuming office.
