Viola appointed press secretary for Malawi President

Malawi President Peter Mutharika has appointed journalist Gerald Viola as his press secretary, his office said in a media statement issued late on Friday.

According to the announcement by chief secretary to government George Mkondiwa, the appointment has taken its effect from Friday.

Viola was working as Director of Information.

The former Malawi Broadcasting Corporation employee has also been working as Primary school teacher at Mbiya and Rabu primary schools in Mgabu, Chikwawa before he enrolled journalism studies at Polytechnic College.

Viola has also taught at Kaphuka Private Secondary School.

The new press secretary has since completed Bachelors degree at Pentecostal University.

Viola replaces Fredrick Ndala who was redeployed to Ministry of Information after an alleged misappropriation of money.

Timpunza Mwansambo who was acting on the same position following Ndala’s fate was also booted out of State House when Mutharika had learnt that he was drawing two salaries from two sources; State House and from his former employer, MBC.

State House press officer is Chikondi Juma. Others in the State House press office include Sylvester Namiwa and Justice Mponda.

Ndala or former Nation newspaper journalist Gideon Munthali will be possible successor of Viola at Information.