Malawi Olympic Committee clears treasurer Mhango to run as MP
Malawi Olympic Committee (MOC) president Oscar Kanjala has cleared the mist surrounding MOC Treasurer Jappie Mhango who is intending to join politics by contesting in Parliamentary Elections for Rumphi North Constituency.
Mhango, who is Personal Assistant to Deputy Speak of Parliament Jones Chingola, will contest as an independent candidate after being disqualified by the governing People’s Party (PP).
Kanjala said International Olympic Committee (IOC) statues do not bar officials from members associations from joining politics.
“The Olympic charter does not bar members from political positions. What it is clear about is for Politics not to interfere with the Olympic Movement and its Values,” Kanjala said.
“Most IOC Members are top World leaders: Kings, Queens, Their Royal Highnesses etc. Their main qualifications border around their good standing in society. IOC members are appointed in their individual capacities.”
But he said members could only resign should they feel that their position would draw conflict of interest.
“Should a member of any Olympic body feel that their political affiliation is compromising their position on the Board then they would be compelled to make a choice,” he added.
He also said within the UN the President of the International Olympic Committee has the status of a Head of State.
The development rests concerns that Mhango should resign his position at MOC as Treasurer to concentrate on politics.
MOC is expected told elective Annual General Meeting next month in which all positions are up for grabs.
