Viola goes back to NFRA despite ouster
In a show of impunity largely associated with the ousted Democratic Progressive party (DPP) government, beleaguered National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) deputy chief executive officer Gerald Viola has reported for duties despite a board resolution to sack him.
The scandal riddled Viola is on bail after being arrested last week for offering a government vehicle as collateral for usury.
Viola had not been reporting for work for two months from April to June as he was in the lower shire openly campaigning for ousted former president Peter Mutharika in the June 23 fresh presidential elections but was getting his full benefits.
Now in a show of impunity, Viola is back at the office and is bragging to close workmates that he cannot be ‘touched’.
“The sad thing is that he is even boasting to friends that he cannot be touched by anyone and he will claim ‘millions of kwachas’ if government dares to remove him,” said one NFRA employee who refused to be named.
Insiders said former Chief Secretary to the Government Lloyd Muhara ‘sat’ on a report from the NFRA disciplinary board which recommended for the summary dismissal of Viola for abuse of office and fraud after he single handedly gave out a contract to supply maize worth K3.3 billion through a Local Purchase Order (L.P.O).
A member of the now dissolved NFRA board said they recommended to Statutory Corporations to fire Viola after conducting investigations including a disciplinary hearing over the matter.
Viola referred Nyasa Times reporter to NFRA Head of Human Resources and Administration Mc Donald Makonde who said he does not see anything wrong with Viola reporting for duties at NFRA.
“What is wrong with him reporting for duties. We have not received any information which indicates that he is not an employee of NFRA. So yes he is enjoying his benefits and there is nothing wrong with Mr Viola,” said Makonde.
Asked about the two month absence where Viola was campaigning for Mutharika and yet continued to enjoy his benefits, Makonde said Viola took a holiday and ‘we do not follow what people do on holidays.
Makonde however confirmed that Viola was summoned to a disciplinary hearing over the K3.3 billion maize contract but was not aware of the outcome of the hearing.
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Inu a UTMCP musadandaule muchila. Viola is going nowhere.
Anzathu ku Malawi ndinu odala yeti. Two months leave – that’s about 40 days of leave taken and a lot more months to go before the end of both financial year or calendar year. How many leave days is one entitled per year? Did he take unpaid leave?
Mr. Viola has to go. Mr. Wachiona ndani, kindly note that there is nothing like interdiction or suspension without pay in government. It was ruled that its inhumane and against labour laws. So these days, you get paid while on suspension or interdiction as you await your dismisal or reistatement.
Have rules in the MPSR ( Malawi Public Service Regulations) changed?
Once an officer in the public service is apprehended by the police and has a case to answer, that officer is supposed to be suspended forthwith without pay until proven innocent by the courts. If found not guilty, he/she is supposed to be reinstated with salary arrears.
Gerald Viola should be suspended forthwith without pay until his case is determined by a court. 🔗
Very soon he will pack his bags
Not with this government. He will soon dance to the rhythm of the Tonse Alliance. Let him boast. He will sink to the bottomless pit.
Witch-hunting will not take TONSE anywhere.
Banda, Witch hunting will get rid of the witches. Remember we need to clear the rubble before building afresh.
Anzanu akuchira inunso get well soon
Is this HR guy really in control of things or not? How can he say he sees nothing wrong yet the former board recommended for his firing. Just wait and see Mr Viola, you see what shaved a guinea fowl. You are trying to fight government and u expect to win. Never. We will fire you and you will never get ur so called claims.
His elderly boss was fired…. on 23 June . Who dies he think he is ?
yes is serious. the HR works on records and if he says he has not recieved any communication about from the board decision, the board should provide outcome of the hearing and istruct the hr to do his part,
Bravo Viola
Head of HR & Admin seems to be a cadet as well with his answering – 60 days annual leave?
Impunity