NIS director interdicted for writing memo to Chakwera

National Intelligence Service (NIS)  director of training Sydney Mpotalinga has been interdicted for, among others, writing a memo to President Lazarus Chakwera on August 30 2023 without authorisation and gatecrashing presidential functions.

The interdiction is on full pay and with immediate effect to pave the way for more investigations and appropriate disciplinary action.

A confidential letter of October 18 2023 addressed to Mpotalinga with REF.NO:HQ/SF.18/35/1007 titled ‘Order of Interdiction’ and signed by NIS director general Dokani Ngwira states that Mpotalinga wrote the memo on TS paper,  quoting DGNIS/2023 as reference number without the director general’s knowledge and authorisation.

The letter adds that the actions are contrary to the conduct and discipline of NIS staff and violate Sections 5(4) a, 5(4) b, (iv), 10 and 16 of the NIS Act.

Section 5(4) (a) of the Act provides that only the DG has the authority to advise and write the President and government on matters relating to national security and intelligence.

In a telephone interview on Thursday, Ngwira refused to comment on the matter, arguing that NIS is like a secret service and it is against the NIS Act to reveal an identity of an officer.

Said Ngwira: “It’s not like we don’t like talking, it is basically the nature of operations. With the police it’s different because what they are doing is public security, us we protect the structure and integrity of the State. An intelligence officer is supposed to work under cover…and you find by the time you go to print maybe the interdiction has been lifted.”

Our sources claim that the memo contained information on financial irregularities at the service, but we could not independently verify. 

 Mpotalinga is also accused of penetrating rings of protection at four presidential functions on July 15th, 19th and 20th and 23 2023 at Silver Stadium, Dedza Central Constituency and Masintha ground, respectively, and greeted Chakwera.

Again, he is said to have on several occasions attended presidential functions without mandate (appearing on Operation Order).

Reads the letter: “Therefore, you have no authority to carry out any activity under NIS without approval and permission of the director general. Your conduct further violates Section 16 of NIS which prohibits anyone from using any material and describing NIS activities and sending the information outside NIS without written approval of the director general.”

Mpotalinga is also required at any time to respond to investigations, enquiries and disciplinary actions while on interdiction.

Efforts to talk to him proved futile as he could not be reached on his mobile phone.

The letter further adds that during the interdiction, the director of training will not be allowed to, among others, perform any work, duties or activity under NIS, leave the country without seeking approval from the director general, enter NIS premises or use any property belonging to the service and that such property should be handed over to Ngwira.

According to the letter, which was also copied to the Secretary to President and Cabinet (SPC), Secretary for Human Resource Management, Secretary to Civil Service Commission and the Auditor General, Mpotalinga was earlier warned of insubordination of authority in letters of July 28 2023 and August 30 2023 and that despite receiving them he carried out the conduct and actions he is accused of.

Mpotalinga is also accused of procuring 20 ThinkPads laptops on September 18 2023 which were distributed to training officers at NIS academy without Ngwira’s knowledge.

Office of SPC spokesperson Robert Kalindiza also asked for more time before commenting on the issue.