By Mercy Matonga & Isaac Salima
Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) has dismissed 13 employees for taking part in a sit-in that members of staff held last month.
In December, Escom workers from Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu went on strike, protesting a 10 percent salary increment, saying it was on the lower side compared to the 44 devaluation of the Kwacha.
The company later suspended some employees for allegedly playing a leading role in the strike.
The company also accused the employees of unauthorised use of company vehicles and resources.
In a dismissal letter to one of the drivers, the corporation cites unauthorised use of an Escom vehicle, gross misconduct and failure to maintain completeness of the vehicle usage log as some of the grounds for the action.
“After critical scrutiny of your case, by the disciplinary hearing panel, I regret to advise that based on the findings, and observations, you were found guilty of the charges and a decision has been reached to summarily dismiss you from Escom services with immediate effect,” reads the letter signed by chief operations officer Maxwell Mulimakwenda.
The letter further says the employee is free to appeal the dismissal within 30 days.
We have also seen a letter addressed to the statutory corporation’s workers union President Charity Harawa, who was fired following a disciplinary hearing held on December 19 2023.
The letter accuses Harawa of threatening and influencing other employees to take part in the protest.
Escom mouthpiece Kitty Chingota confirmed the development but could not say more on the issue.
Other fired members include centre chairperson for workers at Chichiri Power Station in Blantyre Rex Phiri and all drivers at the station.
One of the drivers, Lawrence Chikafa from Chichiri, confirmed the development.
“All drivers at Chichiri have been dismissed but some of the workers who were suspended have received warning letters,” he said.
Workers Union General Secretary Wiliam Mnyamura, while confirming the reports, said they are consulting their legal team on their next course of action.
During the protests in Blantyre, workers went around the Central Business District f Blantyre while chanting songs.