Henry Shamu replaces Kumbatira as Postmaster General

Malawi Posts Corporation (MPC) board has appointed the organisation’s head of finance and administration Henry Shamu as Postmaster General (PMG), replacing Andrew Kumbatira whose contract expired.

In a brief circular to MPC staff dated June 14 2017 which The Nation has seen, MPC board chairperson the Reverend Masauko Mbolembole said Shamu’s appointment was with effect from May 29 this year.

Reads the internal communication on the appointment: “The Board of Directors of Malawi Posts Corporation is pleased to announce the appointment of Henry Shamu as Postmaster General with effect from 29th May 2017.

“The board is, therefore, inviting all members of staff to wish Mr Henry Shamu all the best. It is again important that we render him all the necessary support during his tenure as Postmaster General for this will ensure continued success of the corporation.”

Kumbatira’s contract expired on December 25 2016 and Shamu had been acting until his appointment as PMG.

In separate interviews yesterday, both Shamu and the board chairperson confirmed the development.

Said Mbolembole: “I can confirm he has indeed been appointed as the new Postmaster General.”

Shamu has served MPC for the past 14 years as director of finance and administration.

Kumbatira, an economist and former executive director of Malawi Economic Justice Network (Mejn), was appointed PMG in October 2010 by former president Bingu wa Mutharika.

In 2014, Kumbatira was moved from MPC to Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) where he took over from Charles Nsaliwa as director general.

In August 2015, government reverted Kumbatira to MPS where he swapped with his former deputy director of postal services at Macra, Godfrey Itaye, who was appointed Macra director general.

The past months MPC has been undergoing reforms which include rebranding and face-lifting its post offices to provide enough space for the provision of some of government services. n