MEC sends bosses on forced leave

Embattled Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has sent its senior managers and some staff on forced leave to pave the way for investigations into allegations of financial abuse at the electoral body.

In a statement issued last night signed by Commissioner Linda Kunje, who chairs MEC’s Finance and Administration Committee, the electoral body said the forced leave is effective August 24.

Affected officers are chief elections officer Willie Kalonga, deputy chief elections officer (operations) Harris Potani, director of administration and human resources George Khaki, director of finance Khumbo Phiri, procurement manager Edington Chilapondwa,  procurement officer Chimwemwe Kamala and assistant procurement officer Sydney Ndembe.

The decision follows a resolution made in May this year by delegates to the Malawi Electoral Cycle Support (Mecs) Project Steering Committee meeting, comprising government officials and development partners to send MEC senior managers on forced leave.

During the May meeting, Britain dismissed outright MEC’s explanation on how K15.4 million was spent between July 2012 and December 2014.

A three-member team, comprising Auditor General Stevenson Kamphasa, retired judge of the Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal Duncan Tambala and Rex Harawa, managing partner for AMG Gobal, certified public accountants and auditors, is probing the allegations of financial abuse at MEC.

During a news conference at MEC head office in Blantyre, chairperson of MEC’s Electoral Services Committee, Commissioner Jean Mathanga, who also announced the postponement of the launch of the Mchinji West By-elections initially set for October 4, had hinted at the suspension of staff.

Previously, MEC had told The Nation the officers awaited official communication from their employer before they could proceed on leave.