Failed coup
Super League of Malawi (Sulom) affiliates yesterday foiled the league’s executive committe’s plot to appoint vice-president Colonel Gilbert Mittawa as Sulom president.
The executive committee wanted Mittawa, who is acting as Sulom president following the resignation of Fleetwood Haiya after he was elected
Football Association of Malawi president in December, to fill up the post.
However, some affiliates, who are TNM Super League clubs, warned the executive committee against flouting the Sulom constitution which calls for elections to fill up vacant positions.
Karonga United legal adviser Hadrod Mkandawire was the first to object the ‘anomaly’.
“There is no provision for such an undertaking in the Sulom constitution.
“Firstly, the constitution has to be amended to provide that provision. We will not allow that. We should not use short cuts when it comes to legal matters,” he said
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers David Kanyenda and Dedza Dynamos general secretary Kondwani Banda immediately rose to back Mkandawire.
“Even the amendment cannot be done today because it was not part of the agenda of the meeting. Let’s follow the laws. The Sulom constitution is clear that Sulom president is not appointed but elected,” said Kanyenda.
Sulom constitution Article 26 states that “A vacancy in the executive committee of Sulom shall occur where there is death, resignation duly communicated to the executive committee in writing, incapacitation, non-attendance of three consecutive meetings…”.
The constitution further states that “should a position become vacant, the executive committee may fill the vacant position until the next general meeting, when a replacement will be elected for the remaining term of the mandate”.
Football analyst Patrick Zgambo hailed the affiliates for ensuring that their constitution is upheld.
He said: “Unless there is a clear constitution guidance that in an acting capacity the temporary becomes permanent, the affiliates are well within their their rights to decide how they should replace their leader permanently.”
The general assembly then resolved to call for an extraordinary meeting to elect Haiya’s replacement.
Mittawa welcomed the resolution.
He said: “As someone who respects the law, I am happy with this resolution. It means moving forward, the precedent would be very clear if we have a similar situation in the future.”
In his opening speech, Mittawa described the 2023 season as a great success in terms of competitiveness and expressed hope of a much better 2024 TNM Super League season.
