HRDC asks Ombudsman to probe Chakwera’s appointments

Dust is refusing to settle in the Tonse Alliance led government as the Human Rights Defender Coalition (HRDC) has written the Office of the Ombudman to probe all parastatals appointments under President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera.

The development follows the erroneous appointment of Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) Chief Executive Officer Henry Kachaje by its board.

Ombusdman Grace Malera was stopped from releasing a report on the matter following an injunction obtained by MERA.

HRDC Chairperson Gift Trapence has confirmed of the development in an interview with the press an hour ago.

“HRDC believes in fairness in the recruitment processes in public entities, hence our request for your honourable office to probe all the recruitment of parastatal chief executives to ascertain whether due recruitment processes were followed,” reads the letter in part.

He said the investigation will also help to ascertain whether there was no political influence, favouritism of whatever kind for some candidates and whether the candidates recruited have the prerequisite qualifications based on the institutional policy requirements for such positions.

Government is yet to comment on the matter.