JB appoints Mbewe chief of staff, Sawerengela out
Malawi President Joyce Banda has appointed a new State House Chief of Staff, veteran civil servant Ben Mbewe who replaces Edward Sawelengera.
Sawerengela was Director of State Residences during the reign of late president Bingu wa Mutharika.
His contract was to end in September this year.
Mbewe has worked as head of state residences during the tenure of former president Bakili Muluzi. He also worked as principal secretary in various ministries.
Meanwhile, Sawerengera has said he is not bitter with being given the boot.
“I am not bitter. There is always an exit point, and mine has come,” he said.
The State House is among several ministries and departments implicated in the K4 billion scam in which public officers are accused of drawing millions, by-passing the government accounting system —the integrated financial management information system (IFMIS).
National Audit Office spokesperson Thomas Chafunya said the investigative audit on some payments has also spread to State House.
President Band has been purging members of her predecessor’s government,
The 62 year-old policeman’s daughter who has won international recognition for championing the education of underprivileged girls, has widespread support among a population whose lives grew increasingly difficult under Mutharika.
