Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) board of directors has suspended five officers, including four directors pending investigations.
Macra board chairperson Stanley Khaila confirmed the development in an interview on Monday, but refused to divulge more details, saying the matter was under investigation.
He said: “The matter is under investigation and I cannot give further information as it is now a legal matter. We had meetings on April 14 and 21 where the decision was made.”
The suspended are director of telecommunications Henry Silika, director of broadcasting Fegus Lipenga, director of finance Ben Chitsonga, head of Universal Services Fund (USF) Emily Lungu and procurement officer Chikondi Thuwala.
Khaila said the board has since appointed directors in acting capacities.
According to information The Nation has sourced, Edward Kauka has been appointed acting director of telecommunications while Elvin Mwapasa is acting director of finance. Matilda Bande has assummed the position of acting director of broadcasting while Khumbo Kasambara is acting head of USF.
In May last year, then Ombudsman Martha Chizuma also ordered contracts of Macra former director generals (DGs) Godfrey Itaye and Henry Shamu alongside other directors and managers to be nullified after a probe found irregularities in their appointments.
Some 16 employment contracts were also nullified for various reasons following an investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman into how Itaye and others were recruited by Macra.
