Chapola another victim of DPP’s retribution: Forced to resign as Malawi Revenue Authority board chair
The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) board chair Eric Chapola has resigned with immediate effect following a directive from government to opt out.
Secretary to Treasury Ben Borolo asked Chapola to resign from his position just because his sister has cross path with the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) – a clear case of retribution.
And Chapola, who is a chartered insurer and chief executive officer for the multibillion kwacha turnover Nico Insurance Company Limited – a subsidiary of listed financial services and investment group Nico Holdings plc-, has tendered his resignation to oblige to the directive.
“I was asked to resign from the position of MRA board chairperson. No reasons were given for the decisions,” said Chapola.
Chapola said it was government which approached him to be board chair of the public tax collector and he accepted to serve.
“This time around, they have also requested me to leave and I have oblidged,” he said.
Finance, Economic Planning and Development Minister Goodall Gondwe acknowledged that Chapola was a hard-working leader in MRA Board whose stewardship of the authority’s strategic direction helped to increase revenue collection.
However, sources say the start performer Chapola has been asked to resign because of political affiliation of his sister, former first lady Callista Mutharika – the widow of former president Bingu wa Mutharika and incumbent President Peter Mutharika’s sister-in-law.
Callista is involved with the newly formed United Transformation Movement (UTM) that is promoting the presidential candidacy of Vice-president Saulos Chilima.
She argues that Chilima was the country’s hope for a better future.
President Mutharika picked Chilima, then Airtel Malawi managing director, as his running mate in February 2014. The pair campaigned from the opposition and wrestled power from then president Joyce Banda and her People’s Party (PP).
Mutharika said he settled for Chilima from a possible list of 40 potential running mates because he was decisive and assertive
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you do not bite the finger that feeds you
Chapola got the job through Kalista and through Kalista he is booted out. So, what’s the news here? Let him go and sort out the firegate at NICO. And why should the government keep such a person who is under the firegate investigation?
Let him answer to allegations of torching NICO to destroy information. That is too serious an offence. Ntchito zolowera backdoor vuto lake ndi limenelo
Let’s set the record straight. As far as I know, Chapola was a very senior officer in NICO in the eighties, long before the name Bingu was known; even before Callista became an influential politician. His intelligence is far beyond most of DPP clowns. Its just that DPP doesn’t like clever people.
This unfortunately is what happens when a government is on its deathbed, it staggers from one blunder to the next. APM lost control a long time ago, it is now the likes of Mchacha and Mulli who are setting the DPP agenda. The result is chaos and head scratching strategies.
Njoka saweta kuchinena kwa Saulosi
He got the position because of Callista and he has been booted out because of Callista. SIMPLE. You leave by the sword you die by the sword.
How do you know? unami welewo
Simply shows that someone is panicky and unprofessional in this government. How many n the civil service have relations in he opposition? Are you going to ask all of them to resign? and when DPP was in opposition and will be in opposition anytime soon anyway are you setting a precedence that those who are in power should do the same? No that’s not the way things should work. Let the professionals do their job so long there is productivity your government stand to benefit and you are assured of good votes. If this guy had messed up as board… Read more »
Much as Chapola may be a star performer as the writer insists, the question is: how was Chapola considered for the position in the first place? It is clear Callista had a role in his appointment, hence the so called retribution. Regardless of how qualified you are, getting positions based on political connections ultimately morphs into a dent.
The guy is one of educated sons of the land and on ethical grounds cants continues working current leadership. Sorry Eric, but probably you will come back next year.