Mutharika purges reach MHC bosses: Mkandawire, Mbereka fired

As the firing of top public officers continues under the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) regime, the Malawi Housing Corporation (MHC) will soon ‘enjoy’ its fair share of the ‘witch-hunt’.

Both MHC CEO and her deputy, Wezi Mkandawire and Wanangwa Mbereka, respectively, face the boot in a move seen by some as a continuation of a campaign by President Peter Mutharika and the DPP to remove and reshuffle top public officers and replace them with their ‘own people’ for purposes of appeasement and politics.

It is unclear whether the two would be ‘redeployed’ so they can see their contracts through or they will just be paid off for the remainder of their contracts.

However, unnamed sources at MHC said Mbereka might be heading to the Ministry of Lands in Lilongwe where he will be “some director”.

Both Mbereka and Mkandawire could not be reached on their mobile phones for their comment.

Their secretaries said “they were in a meeting” when Nyasa Times contacted their offices on Wednesday.

Golden Matiya is earmarked to replace Mkandawire while Mbereka’s replacement is former Thyolo South DPP parliamentarian, Eunice Napolo, according to sources at the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) in Lilongwe.

Matiya, who previously worked at MHC in the same capacity, was arrested in 2013 for ‘abuse of office’ following allegations that he purchased MHC houses at below market value.

It was during Matiya’s reign at MHC that Peter Mutharika, then a cabinet Minister under his late brother, President Bingu wa Mutharika, a few other cabinet ministers and some top DPP officials were sold MHC houses at below market value prices.

Civil society leaders and many people agitated for the return of the houses, which has not happened to date.

Mkandawire and Mbereka join the ‘league of the fired and redeployed’, who include Charles Nsaliwa, formerly CEO at Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), John Bizwick formerly Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA), Dr. Jerry Jana of ADMARC, Newby Kumwembe, the former Secretary to the Treasury, Hawa Ndilowe, the former Chief Secretary to Government who was re-deployed to be Malawi’s High Commissioner in Tanzania, former Army Commander, General Henry Odillo and his deputy, John Msonthi, former Deputy Police Commissioner Nelson Bophani, former Auditor General, Steve Kamphasa, former PS at the Mining Ministry, Leonard Kalindekafe.