Parliament censures MBC director general over board member communication

Malawi Parliament says it was baffled to receive communication from the director general of state controlled Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) Aubrey Sumbuleta over a rejected board member.

The chairman of Public Appointments Committee of parliament  Lingstone Belekanyama told the House on Wednesday that his committee had rejected the appointment of a board member to MBC board.

However, Sumbuleta wrote the committee insisting the board member be approved. Belekanyama said communication on this issue should have come from the Office of the President and Cabinet not from Sumbuleta.

Belakanyama said this when he presented a report of the committee activities.

He also expressed concern that despite the fact that the government employed the director and deputy director of the Legal Aid, state funded free legal service institution, the government failed to pay salaries for the two officials for four months. Belekanyama said this brought misery to the two officials and their families.

He therefore asked the government to be prepared when sending officials for confirmation.

Belekanyama said his committee has so far confirmed 19 ambassadors and high commissioners.