Ombudsman investigation finds MERA CEO appointment illegal
Investigation by ombudsman has found that appointment of Chief Executive Officer of Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority MERA in 2017 was illegal
The investigation was conducted after Ombudsman receiving a complaint in October 2020 on the unprocedural recruitment of MERA staff and promotions
In a report released today Ombudsman Martha Chizuma says the investigation found that Magalasi was appointed without advertising the position and opening the position for competition
“Magalasi’s appointment by the state president was contrary to the dictates of the constitution and the dissolution of MERA board before three years of their tenure had elapsed is maladministration,” Chizuma
Ombudsman has therefore directed MERA board to treat Magalasi’s contract as a nullity right from the start hence not pay him any benefits and reclaim them if already paid
It has ordered office of president and cabinet to refrain from appointing chief executive officer of MERA
Chizuma also nullified the appointment of the late Maxwell Mkumba because his recruitment as director of electricity was irregular as he did not possess qualifications for the position therefore “any claim of his family of benefits should be made to individual board members who recruited him.”
The Ombudsman has directed department of statutory cooperation to devise ways to improve its record storage and submit a report on the same by 30th June
It has also ordered that MERA internal audit manager Alex Ganiza be demoted because he did not have the qualifications to rise to that position
However it dismissed allegation of irregular recruitment of Mr Dunkalo as director of economic regulations because there is nothing wrong with his qualifications
