May 17, 2021 Pius Nyondo -Nyasa Times 4 Comments
The Public Appointments Committee (PAC), meeting on Monday, has eventually confirmed ombudsman Martha Chizuma as director general for graft-busting body the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) after it had earlier rejected her with abysmal scores.
Last week PAC, using a scoring procedure during interview confirmation, scored Chizuma 14.9 which was less than the minimum 17 mark required for her to be confirmed for the ACB job.
Martha Chizuma – New ACB Director General
But her rejection did not amuse Malawians, including the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) which threatened a march to parliament on Tuesday, May 18 and Dowa North West Malawi Congress Party (MCP) legislator and chief whip who gave a notice Sunday that a motion to rescind the decision of not confirming Chizuma be moved in the PAC meeting slated for Monday, May 17.
The NGO Gender Coordination Network, on behalf of the Women Manifesto Movement, Women Lawyers Association, National Advocacy Platform, and Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC), has written the office of the Speaker of the National Assembly requesting access to information pertaining to the meeting between the Public Appointments Committee (PAC) and Ombudsman Martha Chizuma, as held yesterday.
In a statement, the network says the request is in respect to sections 6 and 12 of the constitution of Malawi, as well as articles 5, 14 and 15 of the Access to Information Act.
Among others, it says the consortiumâs affiliates want to be furnished with copies of the following:Â Minutes or detailed report of the meeting proceedings, guidelines or criteria of assessment for the interviews, textual or audio verbatim recording covering the actual interview process and individual score sheets(with justifications) that were utilized in tallying the final score.
A consortium of Civil Society Organisations has penned the Speaker of Parliament demanding information pertaining to the meeting between the Public Appointments Committee (PAC) and Ms Martha Chizuma, as held on the 11th May, 2021. In a letter dated 12th May, 2021 and signed by five leaders of different CSOs, copies of a number of […]
MPS Yet to Conduct Fresh Investigation Into 2019 Msundwe Rape Saga
The Malawi Police Service is yet to conduct a fresh investigation into the 2019 Msundwe rape saga to establish the perpetrators, one month after the law-enforcing agency committed it will carry out another investigation.
National Police Spokesperson, James Kadadzera has told us they are yet to commence the exercise but said a team of investigators has been assembled for the task.
Women Lawyers Association president, Immaculate Maluza expressed hope that the law enforcers will institute the fresh inquiry as they are in contact with the latter on the same.
Why stamping out sexual harassment starts at the recruitment process
By Emma Ryan and Naomi Neilson|06 May 2021
Following alarming reports showing the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault in the legal profession, a workplace specialist says hiring managers need to look at the recruitment process first if there’s any hope to eliminate the crisis.
According to Maureen Kyne of Maureen Kyne & Associates, the road to eliminating sexual harassment in the workplace begins with the recruiting process.
“Employing staff with undesirable traits is more likely to wreak havoc and cause incidents in the workplace,” she said.
“Sexual harassment is often about power and entitlement, and workplaces need to get better at identifying personality traits that may contribute to sexual harassment.