Katopola recalled as JB refuses to fire her

Clerk of Parliament Matilda Katopola has been recalled to her office after President Joyce Banda reportedly refused to fire her because the Parliamentary service commission did not follow procedures.

A source who confided in the Nation newspaper claims the President has decided to recall Malawi’s first clerk after she also considered the cost her removal could have earned tax payers.

The constitution of the republic of Malawi requires that any administrative action on an employee should follow the rightful procedures failing which the aggrieved may seek damages with the courts.

If Katopola could have been fired she could have walked away with K900 million in compensation as she would have retired in 2030.

PSC Chairperson and speaker of Parliament, Henry Chimunthu Banda confirmed to the paper that Katopola has since been written to report back to work.

She was suspended last month after she was arrested over her connection in the mis-procurement of color printing services for Parliament amounting to K86, 997 which occurred in 2008.

She has been given a week to respond to the recall.

Meanwhile, members of the general public have commended President Banda for her decision, saying she has saved a lot of tax prayers money.

Political commentators have since advised the authorities to have a complete overhaul on how people are appointed to such positions as both the president and the commission are failing to come up with a united decision on the matter.