Delegates barred at Malawi athletics polls: Constitution needs serious review, says Justice Kalembera

Athletics Association of Malawi (AAM) long at last went to polls at Sunbird Livingstonia Beach Hotel in Salima on Salima with the executive committee abusing their powers by barring other delegates deemed to be their opponents.

Chitembeya: Retained his position as general secretary

The AAM barred a section affiliates by limiting the general assembly to the executive committee members and their own appointed sub-committee members to take part in the deliberations and later voting during the elections, making the total number of delegates to a record  24 members.

This happened under the watch of Malawi National Council of Sports, which failed to intervene in the many serious issues that some concerned athletics clubs had raised including the alleged gross financial mismanagement of the K24 million.

Even the Returning Officer Justice Sylvester Kalembera, who led the electoral process   assisted by Judicial Spokesperson Mlenga Mvula and journalist Ronald Mpaso pointed out that the elections were done in a hostile environment as some people were barred from taking part.

Justice Kalembera also said the Constitution was decisive and needs a thorough review for it to be accommodative.

“The Constitution is not accommodating it has irregularities not only the issues raised by the some concerned individuals but the whole Constitution,” Justice Kalembera said.

He offered to help the newly elected executive committee drafting a Constitution which would be accommodating.

One of the concerned individual, who was barred from deliberations, speaking on strict conditions of anonymity, said the results of the elections had reflected on their concern.

“When you look at the those elected it shows that it’s an inner circle the incumbent committee members as well as regional committee members. If  nothing is done about it we will end up with the same faces for years to come. I blame it on Sports Council for failing to take our concern seriously. Even Justice Kalembera admitted that the Constitution needs to be redrafted,” he said.

On the financial report AAM which reported that they had K6 million managed to provide bogus financial report on the K24 million which was never disclosed during the initial elective Annual General Meeting called off by Sports Council in November after the delegates who were barred in this AGM raised serious queries on the Constitution flaws on voting rights as well as unaudited financial report presented by Treasurer Irene Luka who lost to Christopher Kabwazi.

Godfrey Phiri was re-elected unopposed, Rodrick Mulonya defeated former General Secretary Haxon Chapasa on the position of Vice-President with Frank Chitembeya beating Malawi Schools Sports Association (MASSA) General Secretary Blackson Malamula, to retain the post, the Vice-General Secretary position went to Thandi Mbeya triumphed over a Mr Kawelekamo.

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