Government hires new MRA bosses

Barely weeks after President Peter Mutharika vowed never to fire public officers due to change of government, Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) commissioner-general John Biziwick has been replaced, according to inside sources at Capital Hill and the revenue authority.

Biziwick, who was hired by the administration of former president Joyce Banda in 2012, has reportedly been replaced with newly hired Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) chief executive officer Ralph Kamoto, according to the sources. Kamoto could not pick his phones when his comment was sought last evening.

There was also uncertainty on the fate of MRA deputy commissioner general Crispin Kulemeka whose position was reportedly set to be taken by former MRA director of policy planning Roza Mbilizi.

Kamoto, a chartered accountant who has served in various high-profile posts in the public sector, including general manager for the defunct Petroleum Control Commission (PCC) and recently in the diplomatic service, previously worked for the public tax collector as deputy commissioner general.

Mbilizi, on the other hand, was suspended from her position on allegations that she claimed allowances for a foreign trip not undertaken. However, a court later acquitted her, but she never returned to her position and MRA management allowed her to see off her contract which had six months remaining.

MRA board chairperson Thom Mpinganjira yesterday afternoon said he had no information on the development, but assured that he would find out the exact position.

Before his appointment as MRA commissioner general, Biziwick served as chief executive officer of NBS Bank, a subsidiary of listed Malawian-owned multi-national group, Nico Holdings Limited.

According to the sources, it was only the MRA board chair who could, after meeting his team, effect the changes.

“But so far the board has not met yet and the matter is not official,” said a Capital Hill source.