Malawi parliament yesterday announced the hiring of lawyer Christopher Tukula as Director of the Office of Directorate of Public Assets Declaration.

The development comes following public outcry from socio-economic activists that politicians, and other important officials declare assets before entering public office, but that the challenge had been declaring their assets without a Director of Office of Directorate of Public Assets Declaration.

Deputy Clerk of Parliament Madalitso Njolomolo has confirmed the development. Tukula will be deputized by Michael Chiusiwa.

Tukula becomes the first to hold such an office in the country since Malawi attained independence from the Britain 50 ago.

The appointment has been made following a series of interviews by the parliamentary committee of Public Appointments, which saw 11 candidates being interviewed.