By Linda Kwanjana – Snr Reporter

The Ministry of Lands says  all promotions followed due process and meritorious shading off allegations of favouritism and nepotism.

The clarification settles down the allegations that have been levelled against the outgoing Principal Secretary Devie Chilonga and Commissioner for Valuation and Estate Management Mickson Chiundira.

According to Ministry of Lands Director of Human Resources Management, Francisco Zimba, the ministry had a lot of unfilled vacancies for senior positions, a development that stifled delivery.

“The promotions were meritorious, we used integrity, experience and qualifications to fill in the existing gaps,” he said.

He said, for example, “Zione Malanda is qualified and served the ministry for over years and now promoted to Deputy Director.” Others who are agitating have served less than 13 years according to file records and often with reported misconducts on file while other are being investigated by other competent agencies.

Zimba added that there were no any inches of political, tribal and regionalistic inclinations when filling the vacancies.

“Every qualified Malawian regardless of region or tribe, were accorded equal opportunity, promotions were offered to those qualified individuals who passed the interviews and nothing else.

He said “It is necessary to mention that everyone was given equal chances, for example, file records are showing that among many who were considered Blessings Mpanga and Mr Jambo Chiziwitsano from Chiradzulu and Nsanje were promoted as Deputy Directors of Quality Assurance- heading Eastern and Souther region respectively, Anthony Nzima, from the north, is the fastest promoted from P8 to become Deputy Commissioner for Lands (Land registration) Counsel Nzati Mbeko is from Blantyre was appointed Deputy Commissioner (Legal Services),  Masida Mbano from the north was promoted to Surveyor General, and was promoted, Counsel Yohane Dzowa is from Balaka, he got promoted to Deputy Director (Legal Services), Mirriam Lungu and Cynthia  Chisanu from Rumphi and Ntcheu  were promoted to Deputy Commissioners for Valuation and Property Databank respectively. Mr Jailosi Lungu from Mzimba and Mr Philimon Mkwezalamba from Lilongwe were promoted to Deputy Commissioners for Physical Planning(Enforcement/Planning).

According to Zimba,  Howel Msukwa from Chitipa, Mrs Sarah Mzunda from Chitipa, Mr Kabambe from Thyolo, Mr Peter Chikweni from Machinga, Mr Phillip Manzi from Mzimba and many others were promoted to the post of Chief Lands Officer, Chief Valuation Officer, Chief Estae Management Officer etc.

Then many others in lower cadres were also accorded opportunity to undergo interviews at Civil Service Commission which you can go and verify.

You will appreciate that it was from all the districts. Our files are open for inspection at any time.