Sumbuleta ‘de-seconded’ to Information Ministry
Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has explained that its former head of media and Public Relations, Aubrey Sumbuleta, was not fired but rather de-seconded to government where he came from.
In a statement, MEC says Sumbuleta came to the commission from the Ministry of Information and Civic Education to fill the gap that fell after Fegus Lipenga left to join Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra).
Nyasa Timesreported that Sumbuleta was booted out and in a statement MEC says it “duly acknowledges that the article was not intended to tarnish its image but rather inform the nation on developments at the commission.”
However, the commission clarifies that “Sumbuleta has not been fired but rather de-seconded back to government as a permanent officer for the position has been recruited.”
The commission said it is a normal process under the Electoral Commission Act for MEC to have public servants on secondment and once the position has been filled they are sent back to government who are their employer.
“It is normal under the Electoral Commission Act for public officers to be seconded to the commission whenever it is felt there is a capacity gap or any need necessitating so. And at the expiry of their stay the public officers return to their employer, who is the government,” reads the statement signed by Sangwani Mwafulirwa the new spokesman of MEC.
Prior to joining the commission in 2010, Sumbuleta worked as deputy director for civic education in the ministry of information and it is not known whether he will still pick up his placement at the ministry as the position was taken by another person while he was on secondment
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