Voice Mhone threatens legal action over diplomatic mist
Local human rights activist, Voice Mhone, who was appointed Malawi’s Ambassador-designate to Germany, has given government seven days to tell him reason why the Public Appointment Committee (PAC) of Parliament did not confirm him or risk facing legal action.
PAC did not confirm Mhone and Ambassador-designate to Egypt Yunus Mussa, who is also ruling Democratic Progressive Party (Vice President for eastern region.
The Committee did not disclose the reasons for their decision, but maintained and advised government to replace them, a development that has not gone well with Mhone.
Even the letter from Chief Secretary to Government George Mkondiwa to Mhone informing him about the results of the interview he had with the Committee does not indicate the reasons why he was not confirmed.
This also comes at when the Committee has apparently cleared Chrissie Kaponda, High Commissioner-designate to South Africa and Ambassador-designate to Brazil Edward Sawerengera.
PAC chairperson Lingston Belekanyama said the issues the Committee had with the two had been cleared.
“I regret to inform you that at its meeting held on 3rd December 2014, the Public Appointments Committee did not confirm you as Malawi’s Ambassador to Germany,” reads the letter signed by Mkondiwa.
But Mhone responded by writing Mkondiwa requesting to him to provide him with the reason that PAC gave for not confirming him.
“Reference is made to the letter dated 6th December in which Public Appointments Committee decided not to confirm my appointment as an Ambassador to Germany.
“The Public Appointments Committee ought to provide grounds and, or reasons for not confirming my appointment. I would like to request your good office to furnish me with the grounds and, or reasons in writing as per Section 43 of the Constitution.
“The jurisdiction of this Section makes it clear that reasons were supposed to be furnished for the decision that PAC made as such decision has adverse effects on my rights, freedoms and legitimate expectations.
“Please revert to me within seven days faulire of which I will commerce judicial review proceeding without recourse to you,” reads Mhone’s letter addressed to Mkondiwa and dated December 10 2014.
Meanwhile, PAC confirmed that former DPP spokesperson Hetherwick Ntaba, who was appointed and confirmed as Malawi’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, has withdrawn on personal grounds.
The Committee did not also give behind Ntaba’s decision.
“I spoke with him and the President is aware of this. But as for the details, ask the Office of the President and Cabinet or Dr Ntaba himself,” said Belekanyama.
Ntaba could not be drawn for comment as his number could not reached.
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I understand PAC has powers to comfirm or not. So mr voice has failed to qualify
I agree with PAC action on Mhone. Even if I want a labourer at garden Mhone is not the right candidate as indicated by his action. Ndi wadyera or anthu a kumpoto amati ni nkharye!!!!!!!!!
hehedeee!
Ankaifuna ntchitoyi munthuyu.
mpatseni ntchitoyo abale
kkkkkk kapena munalinawo kukoza mademo a 20 july,2011 bwana,amalawi ozaza dengu anamwaliratu,ndiye mfuna muzikadyerera mzimu yawo kumeneko sopano?simupita munya muwona asa.
It is now free for all. Legal actions left, right and centre, strikes left right and centre, underhand huge perks increases for top politicians, etc, etc
Voice Mhone or w@eva name u call urself, udzikula. Ukahkala ngati mwana akulilira jiggies kapena fizzes. Why r u power hungry???? Wakanidwa basi vomereza. Sitikukufunanso mu Civil Society yathu….
Why should it be Mhone only making this noise when his friend Yunus is quite? Did you apply for this post???Ndie tonse tikadzadza mma office momwe sanatilembe ntchito kuti akatiphalile as to why we failed.
Give someone reasons as to why he has not been offered the job, it is part of being accountable, transparent and honest. With Nepotism in Malawi it has to be like that and I urge Mr Mhone to push forward and they should give reasons.