Former Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) Executive Secretary, Grace Malera, has been appointed as the country’s new Ombudsman by the Public Appointments Committee of Parliament (PAC).

An impeccable source has confided with Yoneco online that Malera got a rating of 22.6 out of 25 emerging the best candidate from the five that competed for the position.

Malera is expected to commence executing her duties as the country`s fifth Ombudsman on September 1, 2021.

While not officially confirming about the name of the appointed person, the committee`s chairperson, Joyce Chitsulo, said PAC has now replaced former ombudsman Martha Chizuma.

Chitsulo said: “One person has emerged to be the best out of the five, let me say it clear here that it wasn’t an easy process and it wasn’t easy to determine who should be the Ombudsman because all the five were good candidates.

“We believe we have appointed the best candidate, if you took part in the interview process and listen to the presentation you would know that we have another Martha Chizuma appointed, she is really good.”

Before PAC started conducting the interviews, the committee had an opportunity to meet the former Ombudsman who is now the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Director Martha Chizuma to get a feel of what the position is all about.

Apart from Malera, Gloria Kalebe Namonde, Tadala Peggy Chinkwezsule, Wellington Kazembe and Yamikani David Kambauwa were also shortlisted and interviewed by the committee.

Malera will be the fifth to serve as the country`s Ombudsman since the introduction of the office in 1996.