Mutharika kicks out spokesman Viola of State House: Redeployed to Ministry of Information
President Peter Mutharika has relieved his Press Secretary, Gerald Viola, of his duties at State House.
Viola himself confirmed that he has been posted to Ministry of Information as Technical Advisor replacing his predecessor at State House Fredrick Ndala.
Ndala has since been posted to Ministry of Trade and Industry to help champion the ‘Buy Malawi’ program which was launched by the President two weeks ago.
Viola rose to the position of Presidential Press Officer after the occupant of the office, Fredrick Ndala got unceremoniously fired after a scandal that revolved around money that was given to journalists when they visited State House in Blantyre for media face-off with President Mutharika.
President Mutharika has so far fired three spokespersons since he ascended to power in 2014 after he fired Ndala and his number two Timpuza Mwansambo.
Nyasa Times understands that the decision to fire Viola had been taken long time ago after he was in the headlines for telling Times Television that President Mutharika plans to buy a jet when the Malawi economy recovers and that some appointments are not done by the Head of State.
Analysts noted that what Viola told the television vindicates what presidential critic Allan Ntata has been saying that the President is , but a puppet controlled by some aides.
Viola has also been in the news for social woes.
In his reaction to the redeployment, Viola took to Facebook to post this on his timeline:
“ I would like to wholeheartedly thank the President of Malawi Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika for entrusting me with various positions in order to serve Him. I never envisaged that I would be where I am today. It has pleased Your Excellency to appoint me Technical Advisor in the Ministry of Information in order to fulfill my commitment to Your Excellency. I am going to take over from Mr Fredrick Ndala who has been appointed Technical Advisor in the Ministry of Trade and Industry. I promise to dedicate my life for the needful job as appointed.
“Again, thank You Your Excellency. I know some few Malawians will take it negatively, but that’s Malawi Your Excellency and provided we know the truth. It is a huge responsibility but God will guide and help me fulfill his words in the quest for Integrity, hard work and patriotism.”
Several names have since come out expected to replace Viola with Director of Information, Bright Molande leading the possible successor.
Others tipped are MBC journalist Mzati Nkolokosa, a former feature writer for the Nation Publications and part time Polytechnic lecturer. Also on the list is MBC’s Vincent Khonyongwa and Business Times editor Thom Khanje.
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If it is true that Viola will be replaced with Mollande, it is the same as removing one idiot wearing a light blue coat and replacing him with another idiot wearing a deep blue one.
He sounds the appointment is rather politically motivated than merit, ip to the extent of saying he “I never envisaged to be where I am today” koma Malawi mmmm…..
nyengo zako zimenezo
basi winanso asakhidwe nkumavomera osakana bwa ndili ine kukuna .umphawi ndi ntchimo
watsala JHAPI
He should be fired period. This backdoor bloating of the Civil Service based on political patronage makes me sick. He was employed from the private sector as spokesperson for APM only to be redeployed to the Civil Service. Koma ku Malawi reform izatheka?????
Its some sort of redeployment process and Viola is so happy and free like a bird to be redeployed to the Ministry of Information for he will be like an advisor to the Minister.
Our main problem we Malawians is that we use to be happy kuona mnzathu akugweredwa ndi matsoka kapena mavuto. Sindikuonapo nkhani apa.
All in All, GOD bless Malawi!!!!!
sorry my Primary sch teacher bola osadya udzu
@Elija Chibwe, mu Chichewa mulibe ‘X’! Mind you that letter is a click.
He’s been redeployed earlier than he came!