Mutharika hits back at Uladi on nepotism charges

President Peter Mutharika made rare attack on Uladi Mussa, leader of PP in parliament who accused the Head of State of nepotism.

Mussa speaking in parliament, accused Mutharika for appointing a distant third in the clerk of parliament job interviews leaving out the person who came first.

But reacting to the accusation, Mutharika speaking at political rally in Mangochi on Saturday said the law provides that parliament submits three names to the President and he has powers to appoint any of the three.

“I don’t even know where Mrs Fiona Kalemba comes from and I don’t want to know but I appointed her because she is an expert in bill drafting. I dont think there is anyone in Malawi who can beat her on bill dratting,” he said.

Speaker of the National Assembly Richard Msowoya preferred Charles Mkandawire in what other people said preference out of nepotism and tribalism too.

While a CoP is appointed by the President following recommendations from the PSC, the officer works under the direction of the Speaker.

Section 16 of the Parliamentary Service Act says that a CoP shall be appointed by the President on the recommendation of the PSC.

Kalemba becomes the second female CoP since independence after Matilda Katopola who left office acrimoniously in 2012 and has since bagged herself about K70 million ($125,000) from the government as compensation for unfair dismissal.

According to Section 55 of the Constitution and Section 16 of the Parliamentary Service Act, the CoP is responsible for managing operations of Parliament, providing procedural advice on parliamentary laws to committees among others.