Former Malawi Minister Cecelia Chazama Faces Charges of Misusing Her Position

Cecelia Chazama, the former Malawi Minister of Homeland Security, and five others are facing charges of misusing their positions at the Blantyre Magistrate's Court. They are accused of improperly recruiting 127 immigration assistants. The case is currently being heard at the court.

The other five accused are the former Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services director general, Masauko Medi, the former Department of Human Resource Management and Development Principal Secretary Hilario Chimota, and Immigration Department officials Pudensiana Makalamba, Limbani Chawinga, and Chandiwira Chidothe.

According to a former principal human resources officer at Immigration, Daston Manda, during the recruitment exercise, he received a list of names from some Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) officials through Medi to be considered for the immigration assistant jobs. The DPP officials named in the case include Chazama, former ministers Joseph Mwanamvekha, Jappie Mhango, Francis Katsaila, Nicholas Dausi, Charles Mchacha, and Paul Chibingu.

Why this matters: The case highlights issues of alleged corruption and misuse of power by high-level government officials in Malawi. It emphasizes the importance of transparency and fairness in government hiring practices.

Manda testified that the list of names from the DPP officials was considered in the recruitment process for the immigration assistant positions. The case against Chazama and her co-accused is part of efforts to investigate and prosecute corruption by former government officials.

Key Takeaways

• Former Malawi minister Cecelia Chazama and 5 others face charges of misusing positions.
• They are accused of improperly recruiting 127 immigration assistants.
• DPP officials allegedly provided a list of names to be considered for the jobs.
• Case highlights alleged corruption and misuse of power by high-level officials.
• Prosecution aims to investigate and prosecute corruption by former government officials.