MERA Board Member Pempho Likongwe Resigns

Malawi Energy Regulatory authority (MERA) Board Member Pempho Likongwe has resigned with immediate effect, Face of Malawi can independently confirm.

“Firstly I wish to convey my profound gratitude to the state president for appointing me to the Board of Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA). I am very grateful that the State President saw some worth in me. Regrettably, by the turn of events, I have to resign from the Board of MERA,” read part of the statement.

According to a press statement released and signed by Likongwe, events leading to his resignation are centered on the decision he took to help his friend, Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Commissioner Richard Chapweteka.

Narrating the events, Likongwe said that he heard from his circles that Chapweteka whom he had worked before in the President elections case was about to turn down an appointment by President Lazarus Chakwera as MEC Commissioner on the basis that he had attended interviews for the position of MERA Chief Executive Officer.

While quoting the bible verse “love your neighbor as you love yourself” Likongwe decided to weigh and advice Chapweteka not to turn down the appointment considering that he had not performed well during the interviews and he was not going to be appointed as MERA CEO.

“I saw that my brother was on the verge of making blunder that would hurt him financially for many years to come. I had it in my hands to help a brother by advising him to accept the appointment as MEC Commissioner. With the aim of helping a brother, I telephoned Mr. Chapweteka and advised him not to decline the appointment as MEC commissioner,” he said while giving out reasons that declining would embarrass president Chakwera and Chapweteka might not be a successful candidate in the interviews for MERA CEO.

Chapweteka then get hold of the advice and accepted the appointment, ionically he reported Likongwe to the Office of the Ombudsman.

Whilst admitting and regretting what he did by informing Chapweteka of the results of the interviews before they were formally out, Likongwe said he was driven by his Christian values and since asked for forgiveness from the relevant authorities, including Public Appointment Committee of Parliament who confirmed his appointment.

“At the same time, I must only say that the only things I told Mr. Chapweteka are the two points mentioned above. However, Mr. Chapweteka added a lot of lies before the Ombudsman. If one reads the leaked Ombudsman report to the end (pages 69-70), it is seen that the Ombudsman found that Mr. Chapweteka was lying,” said Likongwe.

He added; “Be that as it may, I believe that the honorable thing to do for my indiscretion of telling Mr. Chapweteka that he might not be the successful candidate is to resign from the Board.”

Chapweteka is yet to respond on the matter.