Frustrated Mzuzu MBC staff pen management over promotions

Some concerned members of the state broadcaster  -Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) –  say enough is enough and have penned the corporation’s director general, Aubrey Sumbuleta, over promotions.

 Nyasa Times understands that there have been promotions recently at MBC but it seems some Mzuzu staff members who deserved promotion will continue to report to office as juniors.

Apparently, Nyasa Times further understands, the concerned staff  have been unable to voice out their concerns openly for fear of “reprisals.”

In a letter to the director general, which we have seen, the members complained that “few staff members mainly of the TV section” have been promoted.

“Some of the  hard working staff  and long time  serving  members  are being sidelined at the  studios in terms of  motivation ,  notches, promotions,  education,” the complaint reads in part.

It adds: “Again, on qualifications, some members who have been promoted   have low qualifications like MSCE and others mere certificates in journalism, and yet those positions need Diplomas and Degrees which the other staff members possess.”

During the 2010 restructuring, many staff members were demoted in their grades and yet this time no motivation.

In addition, they say Mzuzu studios is working as a team but in reality they still have TV and Radio sections separately.

Our findings shows, the following TV section staff have been promoted: Boston Machika (chief engineer), Dalitso Chimwala (Chief Editor MB 4), Chimwemwe Milulu (reporter MB 7) and Raymond Midaya (senior producer MB 6).

According to the letter, the regional controller Chimbizga Msimuko is still comfortable with his position following his promotion in 2015.

Efforts to speak to MBC public relations team proved futile on Tuesday, but there have always been qualms at the state broadcaster which many critics describe as something always abused by political magnates of the day.

Mzuzu Studios – popularly known as Kaning’ina – has about 20 permanent staff members in the departments of programme, news and current affairs, engineering, security, account and marketing plus administration.