Umodzi Holdings Limited Chief Executive Officer Kamlepo Kalua has challenged his reported suspension, insisting he remains in office despite the company board’s position.
Kalua’s claim contradicts that of board chairperson Geobra Kamanga, who has confirmed that the chief executive has been suspended.
In an interview with Malawi24 Online, Kalua maintained that he was still discharging his responsibilities, dismissing reports that he had been removed from his position.
“As far as I am concerned, I am not suspended. I am still working,” he said.
Kalua further indicated that he would release a performance report in the coming days, expressing confidence in the company’s progress.
“We are making progress,” he said.
However, he did not clarify whether he had formally received communication notifying him of the suspension. He instead criticised what he described as Malawi’s excessive focus on politics, saying, “Malawi loves politics too much.”
Meanwhile, Kamanga reiterated that the board had suspended Kalua, adding that the decision had been communicated to him.
“I can confirm he is suspended and not in office. As a board, we just want to sit down with him over his conduct. We expect him to conduct himself in line with corporate standards,” Kamanga said.
The conflicting positions from Kalua and the board chairperson have raised questions about the CEO’s current status at the state-owned company, with the board indicating that it intends to engage him over his conduct.