Salim Bagus fired from board
Government has nullified the appointment o f Salim Bagus as board member of Air Cargo Malawi Limited, days after he announced his defection from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to Malawi Congress Party (MCP).
A letter, reference number DSC/C1/60/02, dated September 26 and signed by Comptroller of Statutory Corporations, Stuart Ligomeka, says the nullification is with immediate effect.
“As previously informed during the time of your appointment, the appointment was not an employment contract. This means that the government reserves the right to terminate your appointment at any time before the end of the said term and such termination can be in writing or through a radio announcement.
“Whatever the case, the government is not bound to give reasons for doing so,” reads the letter in part.
Bagus, who announced his defect ion to the MCP on Saturday, ruled out any coincidence in the matter, saying he does not have any regrets.
“You know I announced my defection on Saturday and, by Tuesday, I am fired from the board. It is not a coincidence but I have no regrets. It pleased them to give me the position and I am thankful,” he said.
Minister of Information, Nicholas Dausi, did not comment on the matter saying he had not seen the letter.
Centre for the Development of People Executive Director, Gift Trapence, said the development has vindicated their fears that appointment of people into various boards of parastatals is a tool for political appeasement.
He said the trend has no room in a democratic dispensation where every citizen should be free to join a party of their choice.
“Perhaps it is high time the laws which govern such appointments were amended to give appointing powers to Parliament. We have been saying that these appointments are mere tools of political appeasement and create a breeding ground for corruption,” he said.
Bagus served as Chikwawa Central Constituency parliamentarian between 1999 and 2004. His defection comes at a time when there is intense rivalry between the DPP and the MCP in the Lower Shire ahead of the by-election in Nsanje Lalanje Constituency.
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