‘Retired’ Kanyama face Parliament confirmation as Malawi Police IG

Members of  Parliament will scrutinse the appointment of Inspector General of Police, Paul Kanyama, as reports emerge that he already retired from the service and received his severance pay from the government.

President Peter Muntharika appointed Paul Kanyama alongside Rodney Jose for the post of Inspector General and Deputy Inspector General of Police respectively after the resignation of Loti Dzonzi who was appointed Deputy Permanent Representative of Malawi to the United Nations in New York,United States of America.

Lawmakers will need to confirm or reject Kanyama who is retired from the Police service and observers say the appointment contravenes the Public Service Procedures.

To be confirmed, Kanyama will need support from a simple majority of the members of parliament present and voting according to section 154(2) of the Constitution

The Provision adds that even after the confirmation, the IG’s performance will be monitored constantly by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament a standing committee of the house that provides oversight on the administrative decisions and functions of the Executive.

Leader of the house Francis Kasaila said Kanyama’s confirmation will be among the business the house will consider during the Mid-Term Budget review sitting from Monday next week.

Meanwhile, the police deputy chief  Rodney Jose is incriminated in the murder of a University of Malawi student in 2011, Robert Chasowa. Justice on the murder of the student has been defeated.

Most suspects of the murder are regime agents including Noel Masangwi, a powerful member of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).