New Ombudsman in office
Parliament has approved the appointment of Martha Chizuma Mwangonde as the new Ombudsman replacing judge Tujumile Chizumila whose contract ended last year.
Mwangonde, 36, confirmed her appointment in an interview through e-mail yesterday.
Ironically, Mwangonde’s appointment letter, dated November 19 2015, has been signed by Fiona Kalemba whose hiring as new Clerk of Parliament (CoP) is facing a legal challenge from four members of Parliament (MPs) who argue she did not succeed during selection interviews.
Mwangonde was working in the private sector as a legal counsel at Limbe Leaf Tobacco Company of Malawi Limited until her appointment. Interviews for the post were held on November 4 2015.
Reads her appointment letter signed by Kalemba: “I am pleased to inform you that following the interview you attended on 4th November 2015, the Public Appointments Committee [of Parliament] at its meeting on 5th November appointed you to the Office of the Ombudsman in accordance with Section 122(1) of Constitution.”
The letter says the new Ombudsman is expected to report for duties within 30 days from the date of her appointment.
It is a five-year contract, according to the letter.
Mwangonde holds a Master’s of Law degree in International Economic Law from University of East London in the United Kingdom and a Bachelor’s degree in Law from Chancellor College, a constituent college of the University of Malawi. She boasts of 12 years experience in litigation and adjudicating on cases
Prior to joining the private sector, she also served as deputy chairperson of the Industrial Relations Court, assistant registrar of the High Court of Malawi and Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal, senior resident magistrate and principal resident magistrate.
