Malawi to have new public protector: ‘Interviews for Ombudsman underway’

Malawi will soon have a new public protector the Ombudsman , as Parliament is expected to nod to the new title holder “in the coming few days, with interviews for the position being held this week”, Chief State Advocate, Pacharo Kayira has told the 57th ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights held in Banjul, Gambia.

The Office of Ombudsman, which is a public watchdog institution against any acts of mal-administration occasioned by public officials, has become vacant on 30th June 2015 following the expiry of the term of office for Justice Tujilane Chizumila retired.

It took about 15 months for Chizumila to take the office after former ombudsman Enock Chibwana retired in 2009.

“In the current fiscal year the Office of the Ombudsman has planned various activities which development of a Communication Strategy, Website signing of Memorandum of Understanding with selected Civil Society Organizations, Training more members of staff, development of a service charter, review of the Strategic Plan, conduct public rallies, radio talk shows, sensitization and consultative meetings, Conduct on-spot investigations, Public Inquiries, Tripartite meetings, and monitoring trends in Public Service delivery and management,” Kayira said.

Deputy Director of Documentation and Research in the Office of Ombudsman Felix Masekesa said the office will wait for the Public Appointments Committee (PAC) of the National Assembly to have the new ombudsman so that cases are handled with speed.

Ombudsman’s office has also teamed up with National Initiative for Civic Education in order to have cases handled with speed.