Mutharika turns down Malopa, MBC
Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika who is reported to have lost trust and confidence in Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) Director General Bright Malopa has pulled a shocker, turning down Malopa and MBC from hosting the organisation’s annual event, ‘Our People Our Pride’ at the State House.
Last year, Mutharika hosted the event at the magnificent, New State House in the administrative capital, Lilongwe and MBC boss Malopa took it for granted that the State President would be hosting the event within the confines of State House again this year.
Nyasa Times, has in its possession a Memo written by Malopa to State House through Director of State Residences Edward Sawerengera asking for permission for MBC to host the event at New State House this year.
The Memo was written in October, 2011 and State House only responded to it last week where Mutharika has given a blatant No! to hosting the event at the presidential residence.
The shocking response has sent management of MBC to press on a panick batton where they have since approached Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe for a possible hosting of the event.
They have since hoodwinked the owners of the hotel that apart from paying for the hosting of the event and food, Crossroads Hotel will get free publicity on MBC for hosting the event.
According to the advert of the event that has been running on radio and television from October this year, it only appealed for sponsors and purchase of tables without indicating where the event would take place.
This was made in anticipation that President Mutharika would accept the request from Malopa and MBC to have it hosted in State House.
The vague advert run by MBC put off many people and companies who wanted to attend as they were not sure whether to purchase tickets because they did not know the venue in advance for planning purposes.
President Mutharika is reported to be very angered with the behaviour of Malopa and disappointed with his style of leadership at MBC that has since demotivated most of the staff working for the state broadcaster.
Mutharika is reported to be currently hunting for the replacement of Malopa and his second in command Chimwemwe Banda.
Both Malopa and Banda are alleged to have siphoned millions in tax-payers money at the struggling MBC.
Although this has been the case, the Anti-Corruption Bureau has been very reluctant to move in on the duo.
Malopa claims that he is a relation and chief political strategist to President Mutharika and that whoever dares him, may face the wrath of the State President.
As for Chimwemwe Banda, she is protected by the MBC board chairperson Fr. Alfred Nsope who she shares a very close ‘relationship’ and Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Health Willie Samute who lobbies for her in the Office of President and Cabinet.
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