Questions have emerged over the recruitment of field supervisors and enumerators for the Fourth National ICT Survey, with some social media users demanding answers from the institutions behind the exercise.
The concerns surfaced after the National Statistical Office (NSO) announced on Monday that it had started training field supervisors and enumerators for the survey.
The training, being conducted in partnership with the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), was officially opened by Commissioner of Statistics Shelton Kanyanda at Mandevu Farm Conference Centre in Machinga District.
According to NSO, the survey will cover 12,000 households across all districts and will collect information on access to and use of information and communication technologies, including mobile phones, television, radio, computers and the internet.
It will also cover postal and courier services, digital financial services, e-commerce and cybersecurity.
Data collection is expected to run from August to October 2026, with the findings intended to inform national policy and development planning.
However, the announcement of the training has triggered criticism from some Facebook users who questioned how the recruits were selected.
Some commenters claimed they were unaware of any vacancy being advertised for the positions, while others alleged that the recruitment process may have favoured people with connections.
“No Vacancy basi chete mwanyamulana, all in all congrats guys,” George and Gregory Cathbat commented.
Chikumbutso Godfrey Mtuwa also questioned why the institutions did not publicly advertise the positions.
“At least mukanatulutsako vacancy then nkumatenga bwino ana anuwo,” wrote Mtuwa.
Other users expressed frustration, saying they had been waiting for an opportunity to apply.
“But this is too much honestly, so where do you think ife opanda ma link will get the job? No, you can do better guys,” Chifuniro Msiyambiri commented.
The concerns have also attracted the attention of social media personalities and activists.
Human rights lawyer and social media commentator Alexious Kamangira questioned the development in a post, writing, “Mukuti zayenda bwanji?”
His post prompted further debate, with Julius Jeremiah suggesting collective action to demand accountability.
“Alexious Kamangila dude we need to team up oky. What if we can start a movement to fight this corruption. What do you think,” Jeremiah commented.
The comments have put the recruitment process under increased public scrutiny, particularly over whether the opportunities were adequately publicised and whether the selection process was transparent.
However, the social media allegations do not by themselves establish that the recruitment process was corrupt or that recruits were improperly selected.
NSO and MACRA had not responded to the accusations by the time of publication.
