Athletics Association of Malawi (AAM) has appointed former general secretary (GS) Mzee Makawa as acting GS following the suspension of Frank Chitembeya for allegedly failing to execute his duties.
AAM president Godfrey Phiri confirmed the development in an interview yesterday, saying the office of the general secretary is important; hence, cannot be vacant.
He said: “We have appointed Mzee Makawa as interim general secretary for AAM because he has the experience having worked as vice-general secretary before.
“He was appointed because he is an executive committee member by virtue of being Southern Region Athletics Committee (SRAC) chairperson. We have confidence in him that he will handle the office to our expectations.”
Phiri also said they have appointed an executive committee member Ken Phiri as vice-GS to replace Thandi Mbeya, who resigned last year.
In an interview yesterday, Makawa said he is ready to serve in the acting capacity.
He said: “I like athletics having been an athlete before becoming an administrator. I am an AAM executive committee member by virtue of being SRAC chairperson.
“After losing on the position of general secretary to Chitembeya I decided to step aside until I was approached to consider standing in SRAC elections and I won.”
According to a letter we have seen, the association suspended Chitembeya, who is also Malawi Olympic Committee vice-general secretary, following an executive committee meeting held on March 13 in Zomba.
Among other issues, the letter cites open defiance to the executive committee and making unilateral decisions as factors leading to the GS’s suspension.
But Chitembeya said he is not aware that he has been suspended.
