Ombudsman Grace Malera has ordered the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to pay employee Mwangupiri Ngosi his duty allowance from 2006 to 2011.
Malera’s determination has come after Ngosi complained to the office about unfair treatment by his employer, ACB.
According to the determination of the office of the Ombudsman, Ngosi filed a complaint alleging that the ACB had not given him payments he rightfully deserved.
These payments included an acting allowance from 2006 to 2011, a duty allowance for his role as head of the Mzuzu office between 2006 and 2020 and a 10 percent salary increase from 2006 to 2012.
According to the Ombudsman, during the investigation, in the ACB’s response dated April 19 2021, the ACB argued that Ngosi’s claims were baseless, as he had already been compensated for those amounts.
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But Ngosi disputed ACB’s claims in a letter dated May 31 2021, showing his bank accounts, which indicated that he was not paid and that the case was brought to an inquiry on June 7 2022, when both sides presented their arguments.
During the inquiry, Ngosi emphasised that he had tried all internal routes before going to the Ombudsman’s office.
However, based on the findings, the Ombudsman has ordered the ACB to pay Ngosi duty allowance from October 2006 to 2011, at a rate of 15 percent of his basic salary during those years.
“This payment is to be completed within 90 days of the determination’s release,” Malera said
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According to the determination, the ACB had neglected to pay Ngosi a duty allowance for the additional responsibilities he took on, as outlined in their terms and conditions of service.
Furthermore, the Ombudsman criticised the ACB for its late response regarding the duty allowance linked to Ngosi’s role as head of the Northern Region Office.
“This delay was seen as unreasonable and an instance of poor administration,” the determination reads.
The Ombudsman has since also faulted Ngosi’s posting instruction to Mzuzu because it did not officially state his appointment, in an acting capacity, as senior investigations officer.
The ACB has also been tasked with putting in place administrative mechanisms to provide timely feedback to staff on grievances and to make the selection process for training programmes more transparent.
The Ombudsman has since said both ACB and Ngosi have a right to request a review if they are dissatisfied with the decision within 90 days of its issuance.
Commenting on the ruling, Ngosi said he is yet to see the determination.
“I have not received any communication from the office of the Ombudsman; so, I cannot comment on the matter,” Ngosi said.
ACB spokesperson Egrita Ndala was not immediately available for a comment.
