Category: National

By Staff Writer:

There is hope of improved trading activities between Malawi and its neighbouring countries as the country is set to have a law that is aimed at facilitating cross border trade.

On Tuesday, Minister of Trade Mark Katsonga Phiri presented in Parliament the One-stop Border Control Bill which among others aims at facilitating trade within the country’s border posts.

The Bill, among others, will see activities in all the country’s border posts streamlined for easy clearing of goods and people within the border posts.

Once enacted into law people crossing the borders will not be subjected to rigorous checks in the two neighbouring boarders as one border check will be enough.

Addressing members of the media after presenting the bill in Parliament, the Trade Minster said once enacted the new law will reduce the clearing time for people and goods as well as cut on costs on imported goods into the country.

“The ultimate beneficiary in this bill is the consumer who is the person crossing the border post. All developed countries have already have this bill passed into law but as usual we are working on it now. However it’s never too late in life and I’m happy that we are in the process of passing it into law now,” said Katsonga.

Meanwhile Katsonga says his ministry will look into a proposal by Parliamentarian Yeremiah Chihana who suggested that a certain percentage realised from customs clearing excise should be channelled towards the development of the districts in which the one border posts are housed.

“When you have a house you have to benefit from it and now there are districts that are being burdened by clearing goods entering into Malawi but there is no direct benefit to the districts so I will have to take this proposal to the Ministry of Finance,” said Katsonga.

Government has already finalised the construction of two state of the art one-stop boarder posts in Dedza and Mchinji.

By Chancy Namadzunda:

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services with assistance from International Organisation for Migration (I.O.M) has embarked on the repatriation of Ethiopian nationals who were being kept in various prison facilities in Malawi.

According to Central Region Immigration Public Relations Officer, Inspector Pasqually Zulu, the move aims at decongesting the country’s prisons.

“The long awaited repatriation excise which was suppose to be done 2 months ago was delayed due to other logistical challenges which include air tickets purchase, processing of travel documents and other medical tests (Covid-19 inclusive) prior to departure.

“The development is a huge relief to the Government Malawi as it will reduce the numbers of people in our prisons whilst at the same time it will create a step towards enhancement of social economic development of the country,” he said

Zulu said the first cohort comprising a total of 112 Ethiopians will be repatriated on Wednesday and Thursday with a total of 53 people departing Wednesday leaving first and another group of 58 Ethiopians will departing Thursday August 11th through Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe

He said of all of them are all minors and were being held at Kachere Young Offenders prison in Lilongwe

Zulu further said another batch comprising of 169 Ethiopians who are being held at Karonga Transit Shelter is scheduled to be repatriated on Tuesday, August 16th, 2022.

“The excise is still on going as more Ethiopians nationals are still in custody at Maula prison pending to be repatriated back home,” he said adding that over 350 Ethiopians are being kept at various prison facilities in Malawi

Malawi is still being used as a transit route for irregular migrants on thier way to South Africa.

“Aiding and Abbeting of these irregular migrants by unpatriotic Malawians remains a challenge to the Department, as such we are warning the perpetrators of the vice once that caught, they will face the long arm of the law,” said Zulu

 

By Staff Writer:

Government of Malawi through the Ministry of Lands has completed construction of 16 houses for persons with albinism in the country.

On Monday Lands Minister Sam Kawale presented a report in parliament on the progress of the project.

In the report, Kawale highlighted that so far 16 houses have been completed and ready for occupation which is part of phase one which include a total of 28 houses in 13 districts of Karonga, Mzimba, Kasungu, Nkhotakota, Lilongwe, Dedza, Ntcheu, Mangochi, Machinga, Mulanje, Neno, Mwanza and Nsanje.

Kawale further told parliament that government has already commenced procurement of materials for the second phase which will cover 11 districts of Chitipa, Nkhatabay, Salima, Ntchisi, Dowa, Chiradzulu, Thyolo, Chikwawa, Blantyre, Balaka and Lilongwe.

He further said contractors for the second phase are expected to be on site by end August.

Government intends to construct 793 houses for people with albinism across the country. The project is expected to run from 2021 to 2025.

The houses are built strategically close to other houses in the community to ensure that people with albinism receive maximum security from the neighbours as well as community members since most people with albinism have mostly been targeted by criminals who hold beliefs that body parts of people with albinism contain magical powers that bring good luck.

The houses have toilets, bathrooms, store rooms and kitchens all inside a brick wall fence to provide maximum security during day and night.

The Ministry of Lands has been charged with the responsibility of constructing the houses while the Ministry of Gender, Social Welfare and Community Development through the department of Disability and Elderly Affairs is responsible for identifying beneficiaries.

Apart from constructing houses for persons with albinism, government is also constructing decent staff houses for security agencies in the country.

Last month President Lazarus Chakwera handed over 15 staff houses for the Malawi Police services in Mangochi.

By Chancy Namadzunda:

Banja La Mtsogolo (BLM) has launched a new women’s wellness services to be provided by experts in their 25 clinics across the country.

Briefing the media in Lilongwe on Wednesday, BLM Programs and Operations Director Wina Sangala said the services include maternity services, cervical cancer screening, ultrasound scanning, couples fertility counselling, child health services, mensuration, and menopause services

“As a forward-thinking organization, Banja La Mtsogolo believes in responding to present times and context. From 1987, Banja La Mtsogolo has been delighted to compliment the efforts of the Malawi government in providing quality health care with a focus on family planning to Malawian women and girls. Looking back, Banja La Mtsogolo feels super proud of the service rendered to Malawian women with unwavering commitment.

“The World Health Organization rightly defines health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. This definition means health needs to be a continuum of care spanning through different stages of life.

“While Malawi continues to make remarkable progress towards women’s health initiatives, discussions around the changes of a woman’s body throughout life and the health issues that come with it are often overlooked,” she said.

Sangala further said BLM conducted research with women in Lilongwe, Blantyre, Zomba and Mzuzu to understand the impact of taboos on accessing women’s healthcare with many women saying they are too embarrassed to discuss issues they claimed society tags as “women issues” with a medical professional.

For example, she said, Nora a young professional from Zomba city said “ once start mensuration, you feel there is nobody to talk to. If you develop complications like period pains, you wonder if this is normal and you feel embarrassed to talk about it. At a later stage as a young woman, you get married and everyone expects you to give birth. If you have fertility issues, again there is no one to talk to freely”.

“This is because talking freely about women’s health remains taboo or highly embarrassing in Malawi. These taboos have been further enshrined in our social norms. Pressure on fertility leads to a heavy focus on childbearing in women’s health which neglects the wider needs throughout women’s lives. Think of this- How often are women being supported to deal with painful or heavy menstruation?

“When is the last time you heard any public discussion on the menopause and the symptoms it brings? These are issues that have a profound impact on women’s quality of life yet are often ignored or trivialized by both the public and health care professionals,” said Sangala

She added that in launching the new women’s wellness services, Banja La Mtsogolo seeks to change the approach to women’s health and support women to thrive at every stage of their lives.

“The 25 Banja La Mtsogolo clinics across the country will provide a range of dedicated services that cater for every stage of a woman’s life, from menstruation to menopause,” she said

The launch was supported by the ‘For Every Stage of Woman’ Campaign and supported on social media with a campaign to provide accurate, easy to understand information on women’s health issues under the hashtag (#IsthisNormal?).

“We hope you will all participate in this campaign to help create dialogue, share information, and foster conversations on neglected topics in women’s health. We thank the Ministry of Health for a warm and cordial working relationship that has existed between the two entities over 34 years. Banja La Mtsogolo is always proud to compliment the efforts of the Ministry of Health,” she said

 

By Chancy Namadzunda:

The Nyasa Rainbow Alliance (NRA) said is worried with continued maintenance of repressive laws which criminalize same sex relationships among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex or Questioning (LGBTIQ+) community in Malawi.

According to statement on the status of Human Right of LGBTIQ+ community in the country signed by NRA Executive Director, Eric Sambisa, Malawi has been refusing or neglecting calls to address the growing condemnation from both local and international human rights activists, despite being a United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council member.

Among others, he pointed out government continued use of culture, tradition and religion to justify the denial of basic rights of the LGBTIQ+ persons in the country.

He cited Penal Code of Malawi (Cap: 7:01 of the Laws of Malawi) in sections 137A, 153, 154, and 156 which criminalize homosexuality and other consensual activities among adults as some examples of repressive laws.

“This is contrary to the dictates of the constitution which guarantees to everyone the right to equal protection, and to be recognized as a person before the law, and the right not to be discriminated against on the basis of one’s status.

“As a result, lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender, and Intersex (LGBTI) people in the country face routine harassment, violence and discrimination in almost all aspects of their daily lives. It is against this background that NRA which is an LGBTIQ+ led organization in the country seeks to address the media and public on the status of human rights related issues affecting the lives of LGBTIQ+ persons in the country,” he stated.

 

 

 

By Staff Writer:

The Domasi Magistrate Court in Zomba has sentenced 34-year-old Charles Kadzombe to two-and-half years imprisonment with hard labour for masquerading as National Economic Empowerment Fund Limited (NEEF) staff and soliciting money to help people get loans.

It is believed that the conman who hails from Balaka District had been parading himself as a NEEF Loan officer recruiting clients to receive loans from the Fund and duping unsuspecting masses in the process in Machinga, Balaka, Ntcheu, and some districts in the Eastern region.

It wasn’t until NEEF had successfully engaged stakeholders in Zomba that Kadzombe’s underdealings were exposed. Councilor for Zomba Malosa ward Philip Mapira tipped the Fund that the loan officer that was introduced at the stakeholders meeting in Zomba as responsible for his ward was not the one that is recruiting clients for the loan in the area.

The Fund has been undertaking stakeholders’ engagements meetings in all districts across the country to create a common understanding of NEEF’s operations and sensitise Chiefs, Members of Parliament, Councilors, Village Development Committees (VDCs), Area Development Committees (ADCs), and the District Secretariat staff on the loan application process and their roles.

The Fund launched a manhunt for the conman in conjunction with Domasi Police and arrested Kadzombe while soliciting money from undercover agents on the pretext that he will process their loan applications.

It also transpired during the encounter that the impostor cloned NEEF staff identity card for himself to legitimize his deceitful pretenses in the eyes of the unsuspecting masses and introduced himself as a loan officer for Machinga Likwenu Constituency.

This is where plain-clothed police officers invaded the scene, arrested Kadzombe, and brought him before Domasi Magistrate Court on 19th and 20th July 2022. It also emerged that he had been duping clients from his home district of Balaka by using the NEEF brand.

Magistrate Elick Nchodza convicted him of two counts, obtaining money under false pretenses and impersonating a public servant and sentenced him on 5th August 2022 to 30 months imprisonment with hardboard.

Meanwhile, Kadzombe has been committed to Domasi Prison where he will serve his jail term.

In light of this development, NEEF’s Chief Executive Officer Humphrey Mdyetseni deplores all forms of fraud and commits that the Fund will take all measures to ensure the loan application process is corrupt-free so that poor and under-served Malawians have access to the loans.

“NEEF is therefore warning the general public against such people and reminding the public that the Fund does not operate through any agents, middlemen, or third parties. Client recruitment is done by NEEF’s loan officers through the VDCs and ADCs.

“The National Economic Empowerment Fund Limited is a protected name and as such, it is an offence for anyone to be using it without the express consent of the Management. Worse still, extorting money from unsuspecting members of the public under the pretext of loans is a typical case of robbery that is punishable by law,” says Mdyetseni.

The public is, therefore, being advised to stay away from such unscrupulous people and if they come across any self-proclaimed loan officer soliciting money to help people get the loans, such unscrupulous people should be reported to the police, local leaders, or the nearest NEEF office.

People can also call NEEF’s Headquarters on 09999 41 333/ 09999 38 333 or email [email protected]/ [email protected]

By Staff Writer:

Former Minister of Energy Newton Kambala on Tuesday took time to explain his arrest over corruption allegations, the alleged involvement of the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and other subsequent allegations.

Writing on his official Facebook page, Kambala who was arrested for alleged attempts to influence the award of fuel supply imports at National Oil Company of Malawi (Nocma), said he suspects that his arrest was politically motivated.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested Kambala, President Lazarus Chakwera’s adviser on strategy Chris Chaima Banda and Alliance for Democracy (Aford) president Enock Chinana after conclusion of an investigation into the contracts award process.

His Facebook post came exactly a year after he was arrested.

“Today, 9th August 2022 marks one full year since I was arrested on alleged corruption charges. I am out on bail while the court process is in session, but one year on, I remain a detainee.

“As I acknowledge this milestone in my life, I took a journey back to recount and reflect on events that occurred before my arrest, that should have served as red flags, what happened at my arrest, events that I observed while attending court, and what has happened just now,” he said

Mkaka Construction Company

Kambala detailed how government, through the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) tried to close his company, Mkaka Construction over allegations of tax evasion.

“Sometime last year, 2021, around May or June, not sure but certainly before my arrest, I received a phone call from a high-ranking Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) official alerting me that the Authority was under immense pressure from politicians serving as high ranking government officials to close my company, Mkaka Construction as they did with Mapeto DWSM Limited, on grounds of tax evasion.

“I challenged the MRA official that I have operated Mkaka Construction for 28 years since 1993 and have always been tax compliant. I asked him to tell me which income stream I have evaded tax on. He was unable to single out one. I, however, gave him the go-ahead to close the company and that we would see what their argument would be.

“Instead, the official informed me that they had already told the politicians that the Authority would audit the business to establish the allegations. And indeed, the business was audited 30 days later and was found to be tax compliant,” reads part of the post

His Arrest

Two months after the MRA audited his company, Kambala alleges that he got a call from a senior MCP member warning him to get ready for an arrest as they were having a meeting to explore what could implicate him enough to warrant an arrest.

“After this call I called Hon Sosten Gwengwe telling him that I have information that MCP, a party he is a member is exploring how they can implicate me so that I could be arrested. I told Hon Gwengwe that I was calling him for future reference. Hon Gwengwe was surprised and assured me that he thought I couldn’t be arrested.

“On 9th August 2021, I was arrested on corruption allegations. Anti-Corruption Bureau officials threatened to handcuff me in the office if I resisted. I told them I had no intentions to resist but offered to be cuffed anyway. They did not. They searched my office and took me to my house where they searched each and every room and grabbed anything they thought would be useful for their case.

“This was happening in full view of my old parents despite me warning them that I had my old parents at home and that I doubted their capacity to handle such a situation. I was taken to ACB Head Office, thereafter to Lilongwe Police station where I spent one night with my co-accused Hon Enock Chihana and Hon Chris Chaima Banda. Later we were taken to Lumbadzi Police Station where we spent the second night in cell,” he said

During all this time, Kambala said no charge was read to him.

“I did not know what corrupt offence I had committed. We have information that we were in police cell for two nights apparently because they struggled to come up with charges against us,” he said

He added; “My case is in court has so far seen two of the government witnesses paraded. The first was examined and cross-examined by the prosecution and defence respectively. The second was examined by the prosecution. The defence however has not had a chance to cross-examine the witness. The court was set for 27th to 29th June 2022 for cross examination of the second witness.

“The defence was advised that the witness was unwell and not fit for a court appearance. The case was adjourned to 11th to 15th July 2022. The defence was again advised that the case was adjourned indefinitely without reasons. The defence is hoping that new dates will be set when they can have their opportunity to cross-check the evidence provided under oath in court,” said Kambala

Allegations from Bonongwe

The former minister said as he was waiting for his next court appearance, on unknown dates, on 1st august 2022, he received a call from Superintendent Henry Kalungu from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at Area 30 Police headquarters.

“I was on my way to Kasungu then, so, I asked him what the matter was about. He said it was about a complaint by a Mr Mathias Bonongwe that I borrowed money from him and I am not paying.

“He said he could not say much but rather I should appear before him at Area 30. When I told him that I didn’t know the issue and the man in question, he insisted that it’s not possible as the money is huge so I should know about it. He also said Mr Bonongwe is a well-known man and that I should know him as well because he is that man who had issues with Mr Chimulilenji. I told him I would see him the following day at 9am.

“On 2nd August 2022, I went to see him, accompanied by my lawyer. Superintendent Henry Kalungu explained to me that Mr Bonongwe, the man who was involved in the Chimulirenji maize case, laid a complaint that in 2020, while serving as a cabinet minister, I borrowed K250,000,000 (Two Hundred and Fifty Million Kwacha) from him and I was failing to pay.

“I asked Superintendent Henry Kalungu if Mr Bonongwe brought any documents for the loan. He responded, no. I asked what proof he (from Superintendent Henry Kalungu) had that I borrowed money from Mr Bonongwe. He responded that Mr Bonongwe came with people who knew me. I asked for the names of the people, who upon mentioning their names, I did not recognise.

“I then told him that firstly, I don’t know Mr Bonongwe. I have never met or talked to him. I also told him that my business has obtained and paid off bank loans to be operational for all these years, why would I decide to borrow money from a Mr Bonongwe? He could not respond. I asked Superintendent Henry Kalungu what he knew about the conclusion of Mr Chimulirenji’s case, he said he does not know.

“I wondered further how he, as a senior CID official would be unaware of a conclusion of a case involving a high-profile man like Mr Chimulirenji? He did not answer. I asked him why he was being involved as a police officer in a matter that Mr Bonongwe should be taking to the commercial Court. He could not respond. He then discharged us saying he will contact us once he hears from Mr Bonongwe. We left Area 30 Police headquarters wondering if Superintendent Henry Kalungu is working for Mr Bonongwe or the government of Malawi. If not the two, then who?” he wondered

Enter Gangata

He said on 6th August 2022, he received a call from a man who introduced himself as Mr Alfred Gangata who claimed he overheard Mr Bonongwe complaining to a colleague that Kambala had defrauded him some money.

Kambala said Gangata then decided to reason with Mr Bonongwe that since he had a corruption case in court, he (Mr Gangata) should mediate and sort the matter amicably without attracting too much public attention.

“I asked Mr Gangata how he knew me and why he offered to cover for me. He had no reason other than that he just wanted to assist as I already have issues in court and that I am a public figure. I then told him that first I don’t know him or Mr Bonongwe and that I do not fall victim of blackmails and that today I can’t be blackmailed by the two. I finally advised him to warn Mr Bonongwe that he cannot survive on blackmail.

“My questions as I wait for my case to be concluded are: Are the issues of my delayed case and the blackmail connected? Is someone trying to take advantage of my situation? How long am I going to remain incarcerated? If not through the law, is it going to get physical?

“My family has lived in fear since my arrest. My father drifted into a minor stroke. My mother is having daily nightmares. Every day she wants to see me or at least talk to me on phone to be sure am not arrested again. My business has been adversely affected both locally and internationally.

“This is the story of my one year in detention. One wonders whether this is a true reflection of the Malawi System of Justice. As far as l am concerned, justice delayed is justice denied. The immeasurable trauma that my parents and my family have gone through, and experienced in the past 12 months should never be repeated on anyone else in this country especially under this multi party dispensation where equality before the law and equal opportunities in business and other fields of operation should only be guided by the supreme law of the land, our constitution, and not by grudge, hatred, jealousy, personal vendetta or the “kuthana syndrome”.

“My Mkaka Construction Company business has been unduly victimized and denied it’s fair share of the market and denied it’s fair share of competition simply because of trumped up allegations against me.

“Experience has shown that what l and my company have gone through in the past 12 months of victimization exudes a bad reflection on the good governance of the country, leading to low morale on domestic investment and local entrepreneurship and the thrust to develop our country from within using our own human capital, material and financial resources, which if properly and fully and optimally utilized could result into multiplier effects and have a very huge impact on the demise of the donor dependence syndrome, which has reduced our nation to a beggar , always kneeling with a begging bowl to donor nations every year for the 40% donor funded recurrent budgetary support, which at 58 years of independence, in turn mockingly reduces our nation to an overgrown baby.

“If this country of ours is to improve, there is the need for a paradigm shift from jealousy, witch hunting , fault finding, evidence planting and the old practice of pulling each other down all the time. Let us recognise and encourage talent and merit among us. Let us have the national pride of “Made in Malawi’, ..”Done by Malawians”…… “Product of Malawi brainpower”.

“However, at a personal level, l still need answers as to why l was arrested and why my business (Mkaka Construction) and l have been victimized and thrown into the Limbo for the past 12 months. What wrong did l and my company do to warrant such a fate,” said Kambala

 

By Eric Chiputula:

Government has asked all those calling for President Lazarus Chakwera to repeal some of the country’s laws to take their grievances to the right authority and not the President.

Lately several human rights bodies have been piling pressure on Chakwera to repeal what they are calling archaic laws arguing that Malawi is a democratic society.

However, government spokesperson Gospel Kazako has asked those calling for the repelling of the laws to take their grievances to the rightful authorities as the president only protects what is already in the constitution and cannot influence what must be included or removed from the country’s laws.

“The president vowed to protect the country’s Constitution when he took oath of office. He is the Chief defender of the country’s constitution and that’s exactly what he is doing so the calls to him to repeal some of the laws in the constitution are misdirected,” said kazako.

Kazako has since advised the human rights bodies to follow proper procedures when lodging their grievances.

“The laws are made by the people of Malawi for the people of Malawi. If someone wants some of the laws repealed let them take their suggestions to the people of Malawi and let the people of Malawi decide and not the president alone,” said Kazako.

Meanwhile a renowned good governance commentator George Chaima has asked Civil society organisations in the country to stop piling unnecessary pressure on the president to act on unrealistic ultimatums.

“You can’t just wake up and start giving government and the president ultimatums like that. It just shows that one doesn’t understand how government operates,” said Chaima.

 

By Staff Writer:

Listed NBS Bank plc has concluded a four month ‘Win a Car’ promotion which has seen a teacher named Humphrey Sandram being a proud owner of a Tayota Vits.

Speaking in Blantyre during the final draw of the promotion, NBS Bank plc Head of Marketing and Customer Experience Tamanda Longwe said the promotion was aimed at promoting a saving culture amongst their customers and also encouraging them to transact using their various digital platforms.

For customers to win prizes in the promotion which also included fridges and cash, all they had to do was to open a savings or current account, deposit a minimum of K50,000, plus register on at least 2 digital products for new customers while existing customers were required to deposit a minimum of MK50,000 into their savings or current account and conduct at least 3 transactions on any digital products.

“This has been an exciting time for our customers as well as a rewarding one as the Bank has always been passionate about positively changing the lives of our customers by providing financial solutions that offer convenience as well as an impact on their lives,” said Longwe.

She gave some examples of how the Bank has impacted on the lives of ordinary Malawians.

“The Bank changed the life of a Primary school teacher in Liwonde after she won a house worth K20million in the NBS Bank Nyumba Yanga promotion in 2015. Another customer from Area 25 Lilongwe won a shop full of groceries worth K3million in the NBS Bank Win A Shop Promotion in 2019. Lastly, another customer, a vegetable seller from Rumphi, also won a MK15million house in the Win A House Promotion in Mzuzu City in 2014.”

“The rewards we give are in line with our tagline ‘Your Caring Bank’. Being a local Bank, we feel that our impact must be felt beyond simply offering ‘Eazy’ banking solutions,” said Longwe.

By Staff Writer:

Police in Mangochi have intercepted 10 goats suspected to have been stolen within the district.

According to Mangochi Police Spokesperson Amina Tepani Daudi, the incident happened on August 8 2022 within Nyanya Crossing Point in Chiponde where border police officers were manning the roadblock.

Daudi said in the course of duties, border police officers heard unusual noise coming from almost 50 metres away from the barrier. This prompted the officers to make a follow up hence intercepted three unidentified men who were controlling 10 goats from Malawi to Mozambique using uncharted routes.

She added that the three abandoned the goats after noticing that they were being followed.

It is believed that the goats were stolen from Malawi and were being taken to Mozambique for sale.

Meanwhile, police are therefore advising concerned ones to visit the said police formation or any nearest police in order to identify the animals.

(FCM TV Newsroom)