Thom Chiumia
Malawi government have fired Malawi Defence Force (MDF) Brigadiers who were
implicated in the coup fantasy, Nyasa Times has gathered.
Government has fired Brigadier General Cosgrove Mituka and Brigadier General Jack Mtende
who is head of Malawi Airwing in Zomba. The state is claiming Mituka did not apply to renew
his expired contact but records have shown he did apply.
The two were arrested earlier this year after they were implicated in the President Bingu Mutharika
fears that they wanted to overthrow his government together with opposition leaders including
former president Dr Bakili Muluzi.
A letter from Secretary for Ministry of National Defence Patrick Kachimera to Commander,
of MDF reference no DF/LC/018 dated July 21, 2008 asked the military chief that Mituka
should leave service immediately for failing to apply for renewal of his contract which expired
on May 31, 2008.
The letter said for not applying, Mituka demonstrated that “he is not interested to continue
working for government.”
“You are therefore requested to inform Brigadier General C.B Mituka that government has
not renewed his contract after its expiry on31st May 2008,” reads the letter.
Kachimera’s letter followed the letter secretary for human resources management and
development, Steven Madula wrote on July 14, 2008, reference number HRMD/LC/824
which requested national defence ministry to inform Mituka that government has not renewed
his contract.
However, Mituka did apply for renewal of his contract in a letter to Commander of MDF
dated March 31 reference number IG/CA/132/1B.
He wrote; “Sir, I have the honour to apprise you that the performance related contract for
the above [Mituka] Senior Officer expires on 31st May, 2008. May I take this opportunity
to renew the contract for a further period of three years.”
The letter which was copied to MDF Director of Personnel, further indicated Mituka’s age
that he is 57.
MDF director of personnel, Brigadier General Marcel Chirwa who was also arrested in the
coup fantasy his contract is also expiring 31 August 2008.
He has since not applied for his renewal according to records gathered by Nyasa Times.
However, Chirwa wrote Mituka, Brigadier General Clement Kafuwa, Colonel Chikadza Phiri
on March 21, 2008 reference number DOP/CA/1322/1/B to apply to the Commander in
writing with a copy sent to his office.
