Ex-Sports Council boss suspended over austerity measures

Redeployed Malawi National Council of Sports chief executive officer (CEO) Henry Kamata has been suspended over his recent trip to Cameroon for an African Union Sports Council meeting.

Confirming the suspension in an interview on Monday, Chief Secretary to the Government Justin Saidi said Kamata, who was recently seconded to Malawi School of Government (MSG) Mpemba Campus in Blantyre, made the trip without seeking approval from the Office of the President and Cabinet as per the newly-introduced austerity measures aimed at reducing public spending.

“He did not seek permission for the trip as required under the new rules,” he said.

However, Saidi could not be drawn to give more details on the matter such as the suspension period.

On his part, Kamata said he was not aware of the development.

“I have not received communication on that matter,” he said.

His suspension comes about 10 days after his redeployment to MSG as a lecturer.

Confirming his secondment last week, Kamata said: “I was in Yaounde, Cameroon for an African Union Sports Council workshop on monitoring and evaluation.

“Upon arrival this afternoon [November 27], I went straight to the office just to check on urgent matters that needed my immediate attention and found the said letter on my desk. I will be working as a lecturer.”

The council’s director of sports and recreation development Ivy Chinangwa is now the acting CEO.