Viola goes back to NFRA despite ouster

July 23, 2020 James Nthondo -Nyasa Times 29 Comments

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.

Viola: Back to work

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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29 replies on “Viola goes back to NFRA despite ouster”

  2. 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?

  3. 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.

  4. 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. 🔗

      1. 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

  7. 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.

    2. 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,

  9. Head of HR & Admin seems to be a cadet as well with his answering – 60 days annual leave?

  11. Viola that is impudence of the highest order. They guy needs to be dismissed for gloss indiscipline. we need to clear the swamp without fear or favour. Chakwera should clean up this rubble.

  13. Times a coming when he will be no more. Speed up the trial a conviction will certainly see him fired without compensation as you cannot have someone with a criminal background be Deputy Chief Executive Officer

    1. Which laws did Viola respect? Using a government vehicle as chikole? Muona nyekhwe ma cadet nonse. Tonse Alliance is here to bring law and order. Mbava zonse za DPP including yourself out!

    2. Inuyo a Phiri, kupangitsa pinyolo galimoto ya boma ndiye ikhale witch hunting? kodi anthuni, u cadet udzakutherani liti?

  17. That is what he is supposed to do. The employer need to tell him what to do, that is common sense. Forget about the bragging – its dead on arrival.

  19. a Gerald Viola fatsani. Watch your mouth and know what to say. Just keep quite! Mpaka challenging kuti you will claim millions of kwachas from Government.

  21. Tose alliance is to blame for all this nonsense. Even so-called Makondi should be investigated and fired. He is a cadet and no wonder he is shielding a fellow cadet. As for Viola please Tonse alliance save us from this level of cluelessness. We, your supporters, deserve better. We do not want someone slightly better than DPP but rather we want someone miles better than the ousted DPP. Fire Viola before the end of business today.

    1. Viola is Mwanamvekhas inlaw and must be fired for being a cadet. NFRA must be cleaned. Saukila the CEO and Peter Salamba FInance Director must also go. These are the people who have been working with DPP from around 2005 and they are the ones responsible for dubious deals at NFRA

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