FAM GS out of screening process
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) electoral committee chairperson Dingiswayo Madise has dismissed fears that FAM general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda will influence the committee’s nominations screening process.
Madise, a judge of the High Court of Malawi, said Nyirenda will not be part of a meeting that will assess the nominated aspirants’ eligibility to contest for positions in the December 12 polls.
“The role of the GS at the meeting is to provide us with drinks and give us fuel refunds among other administrative work.
“But decisions in that meeting will be made by a competent team which I am heading. Malawians should not be worried that we will be influenced by anybody,” Madise said in an exclusive interview.
He said the final list of the aspirants will be announced only after they have given rejected candidates if there is any, a chance to appeal.
“Mind you, all the presidential contestants will be thoroughly screened. It doesn’t matter who you are; [Walter] Nyamilandu, [Wilkins] Mijiga or [Willy] Yabwanya. Nobody will be given a free ticket,” he said.
Presidential hopefuls Mijiga and Yabwanya, are on record as having alleged that the committee was being biased towards incumbent president Nyamilandu.
The favouritism, they claimed, is being engineered by Nyirenda, who they allege is a dedicated Nyamilandu disciple.
Both Mijiga and Yabwanya Phiri yesterday accused Nyirenda of being incompetent, alleging that he was forcing some affiliates to nominate Nyamilandu. The GS denies the claims.
Mijiga said: “It is an open secret that Nyirenda has been campaigning for Walter and we are worried that the committee is being compromised. This may lead into unfair elections.”
Responding to the queries, Madise said his committee’s decision cannot be influenced by Nyirenda.
“Do you think I can be influenced by the FAM general secretary?” he said, “If you think so, then you do not know the type of person I am.”
Meanwhile, Mijiga on Thursday welcomed Madise’s assurance, describing it as a relief.
“We have no doubt in Justice Madise because he is a highly qualified law expert. Our worry is that Suzgo’s bias towards the incumbent seems like the whole committee is supporting Walter [Nyamilandu]. n
