Envoy’s contract sparks concern

Controversy has erupted over the diplomatic posting of David Bisnowaty to Israel after his role shifted from a pro‑bono arrangement to a paid contract. Governance experts have since warned the move, and the way it was formalised, risks setting a dangerous precedent for retroactive pay, weak contract management and opaque use of public funds. Bisnowaty, a former parliamentarian for Lilongwe City Centre, has been serving as Malawi’s Chargé d’Affaires to Israel since January 2023, initially using his home as an office and personally bearing operational expenses, including fuel, housing and travel costs.

But confidential correspondence we reviewed shows that in May 2024, days after Malawi officially opened a resident mission in Tel Aviv, Bisnowaty sought an amendment to his contract to enjoy full diplomatic benefits. “Since my appointment, I have personally borne all operational expenses, including, but not limited to fuel, housing and extensive travel costs. Unfortunately, this arrangement is unsustainable given the extremely high cost of living in Israel, necessitating a formal adjustment of my contract to reflect appropriate remuneration,” reads part of his communication to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In his request, Bisnowaty sought to have his contract amended to include foreign service remuneration and other entitlements for a Chargé d’Affaires at Grade E, with effect from April 1 2024. Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Charles Nkhalamba said Bisnowaty remains in his post, though all diplomats have been recalled and processes for their return are underway. On the question of payments, Nkhalamba said the government has only one contract with Bisnowatty and any payments made are as stipulated in that contract.

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He said Bisnowatty is receiving the benefits due to him, like all diplomats. Nkhalamba also disclosed the total cost of running the Tel Aviv mission so far at K2 299 183 150. “You can also refer to the government’s annual budget publications where approved budgets for all government ministries, departments and agencies are published,” he said.

In an interview yesterday, executive director of the Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency (Csat) Willy Kambwandira said the move from a pro-bono appointment to a paid contract opens doors to unbudgeted liabilities. “The pursuit of retroactive pay sets a dangerous precedent that can erode fiscal discipline and invite abuse as it legitimises expenditures outside the approved budget framework. If left unchecked, such practices risk opening doors to abuse.

This is a dangerous precedent that erodes accountability and signals a troubling tolerance for discretionary and opaque use of public resources,” he said. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had previously defended the arrangement, with former Secretary for Foreign Affairs Mwayiwawo Polepole coming on record last year that Bisnowatty’s contract had two parts — the pro-bono arrangement and a provision that he would be entitled to benefits once the Malawi Government started funding the mission.

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