MBS sacks Angel Chima a day after hiring her

The Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) has dismissed Angel Lamya Chima from her post as Public Relations Officer, less than a day after announcing her appointment.

Officials confirmed the dismissal but MBS has not said why it let her go.

Chima had resumed work at the standards body only on October 5, after resigning from the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), where she spent many years.

The MBS announced her recruitment on Thursday, October 22. The appointment drew public backlash, with critics pointing to her close ties to the family of former President Lazarus Chakwera. The Chakwera and Chima families have been close for many years.

It is unclear what lies ahead for Chima, who has already left MBC and retired from the national broadcaster.

She confirmed her exit from MBS but did not give reasons for the sudden dismissal.

“Please ask Director General Mr Symon Mandala for the reasons since the dismissal letter came from him,” she said in a brief interview.

When this reporter contacted Mandala for comment, he declined to be interviewed once he learnt the subject of the request.