Controversy has erupted over the diplomatic posting of David Bisnowaty to Israel after his role shifted from a pro‑bono arrangement to a paid contract.
Governance experts have since warned the move, and the way it was formalised, risks setting a dangerous precedent for retroactive pay, weak contract management and opaque use of public funds.
Bisnowaty, a former parliamentarian for Lilongwe City Centre, has been serving as Malawi’s Chargé d’Affaires to Israel since January 2023, initially using his home as an office and personally bearing operational expenses, including fuel, housing and travel costs.
But confidential correspondence we reviewed shows that in May 2024, days after Malawi officially opened a resident mission in Tel Aviv, Bisnowaty sought an amendment to his contract to enjoy full diplomatic benefits.
“Since my appointment, I have personally borne all operational expenses, including, but not limited to fuel, housing and extensive travel costs. Unfortunately, this arrangement is unsustainable given the extremely high cost of living in Israel, necessitating a formal adjustment of my contract to reflect appropriate remuneration,” reads part of his communication to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In his request, Bisnowaty sought to have his contract amended to include foreign service remuneration and other entitlements for a Chargé d’Affaires at Grade E, with effect from April 1 2024.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Charles Nkhalamba said Bisnowaty remains in his post, though all diplomats have been recalled and processes for their return are underway.
borne all expenses
“Therefore, any changes in the administration of the mission will be after the completion of the recall and deployment processes,” he said.
On the question of payments, Nkhalamba said the government has only one contract with Bisnowatty and any payments made are as stipulated in that contract.
He said Bisnowatty is receiving the benefits due to him, like all diplomats.
Nkhalamba also disclosed the total cost of running the Tel Aviv mission so far at K2 299 183 150.
“You can also refer to the government’s annual budget publications where approved budgets for all government ministries, departments and agencies are published,” he said.
In an interview yesterday, executive director of the Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency (Csat) Willy Kambwandira said the move from a pro-bono appointment to a paid contract opens doors to unbudgeted liabilities.
“The pursuit of retroactive pay sets a dangerous precedent that can erode fiscal discipline and invite abuse as it legitimises expenditures outside the approved budget framework. If left unchecked, such practices risk opening doors to abuse. This is a dangerous precedent that erodes accountability and signals a troubling tolerance for discretionary and opaque use of public resources,” he said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had previously defended the arrangement, with former Secretary for Foreign Affairs Mwayiwawo Polepole coming on record last year that Bisnowatty’s contract had two parts — the pro-bono arrangement and a provision that he would be entitled to benefits once the Malawi Government started funding the mission.
But governance expert Benedicto Kondowe questioned why a formal amendment was still required if the original contract already provided for remuneration once funding became available.
Said Kondowe: “If the original understanding was that remuneration would only begin once funding became available, a formal amendment would still be necessary because public contracts must speak with precision on when pay starts, at what rate, under what authority and on what condition.”
He also cautioned against the retroactive pay being sought by Bisnowaty, describing it as problematic from a public financial management standpoint.
A former Malawian diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also questioned the use of the title Chargé d’Affaires for Bisnowaty, arguing that such a title is reserved for a diplomat in an acting position to an ambassador who is not available.
But Polepole earlier clarified that Bisnowaty was appointed by former president Lazarus Chakwera as deputy ambassador and is referred to as Chargé d’Affaires because there is no ambassador, which is the highest authority of the mission.
Executive director for the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) Michael Kaiyatsa said the use of such a title for a non-career appointee raises serious concerns about adherence to foreign service regulations and diplomatic norms.
When contacted for comment, Bisnowaty said he could not respond to specific questions, but said he loved his country and would always serve his people.
The Public Appointments Committee of Parliament has since indicated that it has not received any formal briefing or documentation indicating Bisnowatty’s appointment was presented before Parliament for vetting.
Committee chairperson Felix Njawala said should the matter come before the committee, they would consider it in line with their oversight mandate and may engage the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for clarification.
