MALAWI: PAC Clears MBC, MACRA Boards Over CEO Recruitment Complaints

By Smile Hamilton

The Parliamentary Public Appointments Committee (PAC) has cleared the boards of the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) and the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) of any wrongdoing in the recruitment of their chief executives following complaints that prompted a parliamentary inquiry.

PAC on Tuesday summoned officials from the two boards to explain the processes that led to the appointments of MBC Director General Brian Banda and MACRA Director General Mayamiko Nkoloma. The committee was seeking to establish whether the recruitments complied with legal and governance requirements.

Speaking after the meeting, PAC Vice Chairperson Joshua Malango said the committee found that the boards had acted within the law and followed the required procedures during the recruitment process.

“After listening to the explanations from the boards and reviewing the processes that were followed, we have established that there was no violation of the law in the recruitment of the two chief executives,” said Malango.

He said the committee was satisfied that both appointments were conducted in accordance with established regulations and governance standards expected of public institutions.

The inquiry followed concerns raised by some stakeholders who questioned the manner in which the two executives were hired. The complaints led PAC to exercise its oversight mandate by summoning the board officials to provide clarity on the appointments.

Malango said the committee remains committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in public sector appointments, adding that Parliament will continue scrutinising recruitment processes in state institutions whenever concerns are raised.

The committee’s findings are expected to put to rest questions surrounding the appointments of Banda and Nkoloma, with PAC concluding that both recruitment processes were lawful and procedurally sound.