Frank Mwenifumbo, former publicist for the United Transformation Movement (UTM), has addressed recent questions surrounding his appointment as Board Chair of the Northern Region Water Board (NRWB).
Mwenifumbo, to social media commentator Joshua Chisa Mbele, who questioned if it was necessary for Mwenifumbo to resign from UTM and renounce politics in order to be appointed board chairperson for the water body in the northern region.
Mwenifumbo stated that this is not his first public appointment and that in 2010, he was offered the same position by the late Bingu Wa Mutharika administration but turned it down after an influential businessman in the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) labelling him as “Mtumbuka”. He also revealed that he was offered a diplomatic post but turned it down as well.
Mwenifumbo emphasized that his departure from UTM was amicable and voluntary and that he took the Board Chair appointment as an honour to serve the people of Malawi.
He also spoke positively of UTM leader Saulos Chilima and denied that his appointment was a result of any discussion with President Chakwera.
Mwenifumbo also stated that he has chosen not to reveal the reasons for his departure from UTM out of respect for Chilima and that Chilima’s enemies are from within the party.
He also denied that his appointment was a result of his resignation from UTM and emphasized that it is wrong to assert that this is the case.
Mwenifumbo added that with this kind of attitude towards each other as citizens, it will scare many to call it a day in politics and makes him crave for an appetite to come back to active politics in future, otherwise history shall record his legacy wrongly because of people like you who chose to twist facts.
Mwenifumbo resigned as UTM publicist and party member in November last year saying that he wants to focus on his personal business and farming at his home village.
He also said that he has no plans of joining politics anytime soon.
But his appointment as NRWB board chair just after he resigned for UTM and politics raised concerns and questions who asked if it is a coincidence or not.
