TNM takes ‘SMART DATA” to Mzuzu University...

Nesnes recent performance at Polytechnic

Students set for Smart Data Campus Promotion & blitz during
Social Weekend

TNM Smart Data has announced the sponsorship of the Mzuzu University (MZUNI) Students’ Social Weekend from 1st to 3rd May, 2015.

During the Mzuni students’ social weekend, Malawi’s premier mobile telecommunication company, TNM, will be brushing shoulders with University

students with their Internet baby; Smart Data.  On the weekend, TNM aims at

demonstrating reliability, affordability and most importantly a great variety of bundles that have been introduced as an icing on the cake of their advanced internet offerings. 

Essentially, TNM aims to empower students and everyone in Malawi to minimise the hassle in information and networking as they have a package of bundles that fit each person’s internet needs.

‘Smart Data” is TNM’s revolutionary basket of innovative products powered

by the Internet. The bouquet is helping enrich the TNM customer experience on the Internet as users now enjoy easy access to social networks and browsers such as Opera Mini. Heavy downloaders and merely fun-seekers are all taken care of in this consortium of advanced smart access to data services.

Announcing the sponsorship, TNM Head of Region for North, Richard Kwatiwani said Smart Data unlocks the barrier of access to academic and social

information for students.

“Internet is what every student needs in their academic life and it adds value to their social networking edge. With Smart Data, TNM offers a wide variety of internet bundles for the students to choose from according to their needs,” he said.

Kwatiwani said the Social Weekend will provide a platform for students to

appreciate Smart Data through a Smart Data Students’ promotion in which lucky students will win Smartphones, Dongles and various TNM merchandise.

He encouraged all interested people in Mzuzu to be part of the fun this weekend as TNM has also featured young urban music stars Nesnes (who did the Smart theme song with Gwamba) and Blakjak to headline and reinforce the messaging. 

“Smart Data presents a complete shift in TNM’s core data proposition in that it has come to enrich our customers’ experience and our staff will be

available during the social gathering in order to provide information about the product,” assured Kwatiwani.

Events will hit a climax on Saturday night as a Mr and Miss Smart Data will be crowned during the event.

The company also sponsored the Polytechnic social weekend which was held from 6th to 8th March, 2015 where Evans Banda and Vanessa Thyolani were crowned Mr and Miss Smart Data respectively. The two received Huawei Ascend Y221 smartphones from TNM.

Former MYPs Fighting For Leadership As Govt Is Yet To Pay Compensation

Concerned Ex-MYP Victims of 1993/94 Operation
Bwezani during 2014 petition to president Banda

Tension have emerged in the group of dismembered Malawi Young Pioneers (MYP) on who should lead their group and who should negotiate with government on their outstanding grievances.

MYP ended during disarmament of 1993 Operation Bwezani but they rejoined to ask government to give them compensation and premature retirement packages.

In 2012, government halted payment parade of their retirement packages after it was found that there were some ghost members on the payment list. Grey Chisale who led the unified MYP group was accused of perpetrating such malpractice and was ousted by angered members.

Almost three years after the incident the former MYP leader, Grey Chisale has now began issue warnings to the group now being led by Pastor Pearson Banda to stop engaging with government on revamping the payment parade saying government still recognise him as the leader for Defunct MYPs.

Chisale warning follows the recent petition which the group now known as Concerned Ex-MYPs Victims of 1993 Operation Bwezani led by Pastor Pearson Banda asked President Mutharika to intervene and quickly address their outstanding grievances that is; recommence payment of reasonable premature retirement package, compensation and stop continue engaging with MYP old committee.

Grey Chisale told journalists in Lilongwe that the Concerned Ex-MYP leadership should stop engaging with government because he is still recognised as MYPs negotiator.

Chisale justified his claim saying there is a letter to the Concerned Ex-MYP leader Pearson Banda dated 10th April 2013, from John Kalanga Secretary for Human Resource Management and Development which said Government believes that there is only one secretariate to which all Ex-MYP members are affiliated to whose national coordinator is Mr Grey Chisale and advised to sort out their issues with Mr. Chisale.

He added that on 16th September 2013, former ACB Director Justice Rizine Mzikamanda  wrote to accountant General informing on ACB concluded investigations pertaining to all allegations some Ex-MYP members had brought. The letter claimed that ACB has not been able to substantiate the said allegations as such the process to disburse compensation to the remaining Ex-MYP members can proceed.

“Am not defending the government”, Chisale claimed “But I initiated this group when others fled this country during the disarmament in 1993, it was me and my committee who initiated dialogue with government and this is why the government is opting to work with me and not the so called the Victims of the Operation Bwezani (Ex-MYP led by PearsonBanda) who were rejected by government immediately at the first attempt to introduce themselves as elected members of former MYPs.”

He further accused the Ex-MYP group for creating confusion among members of defunct MYP and prompting delays for the government to recommence the payment parade for their pension.

“To show their failure, they are insulting the president through their petitions and threatening the nation, so it means that they have nothing to do and have nowhere to go”

“These people have said are not satisfied with the calculations and model government is following when paying the terminal benefits for the Ex-MYP” said Grey Chisale

“I being the person who was briefed on how the calculations were done, am satisfied because there is no way a person who worked for few years would get millions of money but only those who worked for a long time and are eligible for pension can receive a lot of money yet the other group does not know this hence making so many demands.”

Reacting to the Chisale claims, Publicity Secretary for the Ex-MYPs Mr. Hendrix Chimjota said “This is very unfortunate because the sentiments are lacking truth. There is no justice in that.” Adding  that "documents being used by Mr. Chisale to justify the claim are outdated" 

“What Mr. Chisale and his committee would have done was to sit down and think why we came up with this petition. I still cling as group being lead by Pastor Pearson Banda, we are saying that these people were smoked out by genuine Ex-MYPs because of the ghosting that was masterminded by Mr. Grey Chisale in 2012 payment parade.” said Chimjota

“Mr. Chisale prompted for anomalies of ghosting, he ferried non Ex-MYPs from various districts to receive compensation money a thing which did not go well with the fellow Ex-MYPs. His action has left several genuine Ex-MYPs not receiving any compensation and retirement packages during the first payment parade.” Explained Chimjota who added that “We lost trust in Mr. Chisale for what he did, and if he was intelligent enough he would have resigned and stop this.”

“Some people were caught red handed with faked IDs by police” he continued and indicated  "government is aware of it, some were arrested includong those that were in committee of Chisale and Chisale masterminded that ghosting” he claimed

“It is the government that should respond to our petition a thing that we are waiting patiently, nobody should intervene with this!” warned Chimjota who also mentioned that government is still recognizing them and is taking into consideration of any issue they presented.

President Mutharika Plans To Develop National Parks As Part of Animal Conservation

President Peter Mutharika plans to develop a big national park as a way of conserving wildlife and has vowed not to relent fight against poachers.

Mutharika was speaking at Kamuzu Palace Tuesday evening at a Press Conference following return from United States of America (USA) where he attended an International Conservation Caucus Foundation (ICCF) United States Congressional dinner in Washington, DC.

"I would like to start a viable park service with trained armed rangers to defend and match the poachers." He said 

"I would like to have a nice park, because parks are very important for people and their families, they can go there for picnics and so forth.  And am determined to do that as part of conservation" said President Mutharika who emphasised that Malawi needs a national park and that international institutions have shown interest to support Malawi in the project including on the restocking of endangered animal species.

On international support Mutharika has assured that the country has now secured an international support of getting resources for conservation activities. 

The Malawi leader, has among others hinted his government efforts in ensuring success in conservation. He said government is developing a Comprehensive National Conservation Policy and also piloting a community participatory programme where by, all communities living around game reserves get share of fees that are collected so that communities have an interest in fight against poaching and takes part in preservation.

President Mutharika added that the community participatory programme has began in lower Shire's Majete game reserve with funding from the World Bank but it will be extended to the rest of the country.

The Malawi leader who said meant his words on conservation plans, has bemoaned with pace at which protected animals including elephants and rhinos are fast facing extinction a development which he described as a threat to future generation.

President Mutharika said Malawi airports have become a conduit for smuggling of ivory and that other powerful curtails are venturing into timber smuggling business but Malawi is not relenting but fighting them.

But has warned that whoever is involved in crime of poaching the law will take its course.

Professor Mutharika told journalists that his invitation to ICCF was part of appreciation to the efforts Malawi is making in combating crime of poaching and environmental conservation.

Mutharika has also announced several positive promises from potential business investors to come and invest in Malawi and that he has successfully marketed some of the Malawi's potential areas for investments.

Malawi Prepares ICT Experts in Cyber Security Threats

George Mkondiwa: Government
 is trying to fight cyber crimes 

Cyber Security issues have not spared Malawi, with the boom in mobile and computer use some Malawians have experienced hacking, online data theft and proliferation of destructive malware, these events and future serious cyber threats have forced Malawi Government to embark on training aimed at raising awareness among ICT Executives and Policy Makers on cyber security so that they know the need for urgency in making policies relating to cyber crime.

The workshop has began on Tuesday in the Capital Lilongwe following a study by Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) that established that member states, including Malawi, were lagging behind in the formulation of policies and legislation that deals with cyber crime as well as lack of awareness among government policy makers and top executives on the need to urgently formulate and pass laws relating to cyber crime.

Chief Secretary to the Government Mr. George Mkondiwa when opening the training said, Malawi is trying to ready itself from future possible cyber attacks following the emerging computers and cellphones in the country and that the workshop marks the beginning to talk and make Malawians aware of threats brought by ICT and know how to prevent them.

He said Malawi government recognise the role the ICT-revolution plays to national development and is harnessing the  ICT through putting in place regulatory and legislative frameworks intended to ensure that Malawi makes the most of this revolution in its efforts to transform the country from poverty to prosperity.

"However, the Malawi Government is aware that the emergence of the ICTs has brought along with it the concern of cyber threats." Says Mkondiwa, 

"As highlighted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and even if at a  relatively lower scale compared to what is happening in the developed world, Malawi is also today facing the same problems of identity and data theft, proliferation of destructive malware and denial-of service attacks which the ICT sector world over is facing. Needless to say, that these threats are a virus that can undermine the role of ICTs as a tool critical to national development and, at the same time, inhibit the growth of the ICT sector itself." 

But he said Malawi is commited to spare no effort in tackling these crimes, especially so because "ICTs are the superhighway toward transformation of education, commerce and and other sectors" among others.

"This is why the Malawi government, like a good general at the battle front,

has taken the leading role in enhancing cyber security in the country through drafting the Electronic Transaction Bill.

Among many other things, the bill provides for investment in Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), that will ensure secure exchange of data between and

among computer users. The Electronic Transaction Bill also proposes the formation of Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) in Malawi which will be handling internet security issues. The government believes that once passed into law, and working in harmony with several other ICT- related legislation already in place, this bill will address issues related to cyber threats, thereby enabling the country to maximise the usage of ICTs."

The Malawi Government Chief Secretary then assured the meeting that the administration of Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, will do all it can to create an environment that "provides a powerful arsenal to this war." 

"The government will continue to provide direction, undertake reforms and make necessary investments in requisite skills and infrastructure for the consolidation and further development of the ICT sector in the country."

Andrew Kumbatira 

Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has partners with COMESA in training the officers.

MACRA's Director General Mr. Andrew Kumbatira said Cyber security is an area that has not been explored extensively in Malawi and there is need for awareness as the nation is experiencing increasing electronic transactions, which in turn will enhance economic activity of the country.

He said though Malawi has not yet experienced a very serious cyber threats, but with emerging cellphones and computers it is apparent that the country will in two year period experience the worst if ICT experts are not trained in how to secure Malawi cyber space.

The three day training has drawn High Level Executives and Policy Makers including Government officials responsible for ICTs, Legal Experts and the ICT/IT and Telecommunications Experts.

Mphwiyo Shooting: Kasambara, Pika, Kumwembe Have Case to Answer

Dauka (middle) Kadzuwa (left)
freed from Mphwiyo shooting case 

Lilongwe High Court finds three suspects with case to answer in the attempted murder and and conspiracy to commit murder of former budget director Paul Mphwiyo in the night of September 13th 2013 at the gate of his home in area 43.

Former Justice Minister and Constitution Affairs, Raphael Kasambara, Pika Manondo and McDonald Kumwembe have been found with a case to answer. While Dauka Manondo, Robert Kadzuwa and Oswald Lutepo  have been acquitted as the court finds no substantive evidence against them to be connected to the shooting.

Meanwhile Judge Justice Michael Mtambo has adjourned the case to 22 May 2015 where the court will enter the defense. 

Reacting to the three acquittals, Director of Public Prosecution Mary Kachale says the state respects the decision of the court. 

Why some suspects have case to answer and not others?

Raphael Kasambara will enter defense on the charge of Conspiracy to commit murder while Pika Manondo and McDonald Kumwembe are expected to enter defense with two counts of Attempted murder and Conspiracy to commit murder of Malawi's former Budget Director Paul Mphwiyo.

Kasambara has been acquitted in attempted murder charge because there was no evidence to justify the alleged threats the victim (Mr. Paul Mphwiyo) had claimed and that Kasambara was not identified among the assailants who were at the victims gate during the shooting. 

However, Kasambara has a case to answer on conspiracy to commit  murder following Airtel call logs which indicates that he was in a constant contact with the other suspects prior to and the night when Paul Mphwiyo was shot.

Justice Michael Mtambo said the court also agrees with state that Pika Manondo has case to answer for the "unusual" kind of communication he had with Kasambara night of Paul Mphwiyo shooting which one would suspect that they were executing a certain plan. The court added that Pika was identified by the victim as one of the suspects and that  he fled out of the country immediately Paul Mphwiyo was shot and was arrested a month later.

McDonald Kumwembe has a case to answer says the court following Airtel call logs which trace him moving from Bvumbwe to Lilongwe while in constant contacts with the other suspects. Not only that but also, his phone number registered that he was in Area 43, a location where the shooting took place and within hours the shooting took place.

Court further finds no evidence that Kumwembe had travelled to Mozambique the period of Mphwoyo shooting since Kumwembe was also found with a bus ticket indicating that he travelled from Blantyre to Lilongwe a day before Mphwiyo's shooting. 

On airtel call logs and the ownership of the phone numbers, Justice Mtambo said the court finds that the call logs were credible since "none of the accused" had  asked Airtel experts even a single question of ownership of the phone numbers or disowning them.

Justice Mtambo also ruled against defense submission particularly made by Raphael Kasambara and John Mwakhwawa that there is possibility that the phones of the accused were with their spouses including the submission made by Kasambara that his phones could have been with his personal assistant because he would let them use his phones.

"Cellphones are meant for  personal holders and are not given to spouses to communicate even with husbands friends during old hours" said Mtambo who added that "It is not possible to let your personal assistant use your phone, communicating with your friends even up to old hours."

Robert Kadzuwa has been acquitted because there is no evidence against him apart from the claim by the state that he was found with millions of Kwacha's while with Kumwembe, the money which the state suspects to have been a payment after shooting and the two were about to share. 

The judge said there is no evidence that the money found with Kadzuwa was his payment after the shooting.

Similarity the court finds no evidence that Dauka Manondo was involved in the shooting and conspiracy to commit murder of Paul Mphwiyo.

Oswald Mtupila Lawyer for Oswald Lutepo 

Oswald Lutepo has also been acquitted following acknowledgement by the state that his name made it to the suspects list when the state witness mistakenly named him for Pika Manondo.

Meanwhile the lawyer for Lutepo, Oswald Mtupila who looked so happy, says he would wait for Lutepo for a go ahead on appeal for compensation for the costs incurred having being dragged into the case.

Nobody Is Going to Starve Says President Mutharika Amid Low Crop Estimates

President Professor Peter Mutharika says no one is going to die of hunger as panic of hunger looms among Malawians in the wake of reduced maize yields this year.

Second round agricultural production estimates show that maize production has decreased from 3,978,123 metric tons realized in 2013/2014 agricultural season to 2,898,123 metric tons in the current agricultural season, representing 27.7 percent decline in production. Other major food crops such as rice have seen a decrease of 13.6%, millet 11.9%, cassava 1.1% and sorghum to 9.3 %.

This decline is mainly attributed to floods and prolonged dry spell that the

country has experienced in the course of the season.

However, potatoes and sweet potatoes have increased by 5.9% and 4.4% respectively.

Speaking at Kaumuzu Palace on Tuesday evening at a press conference, after a two-week visit to the United States of America (USA) where he attended an International Conservation Caucus Foundation (ICCF) United States Congressional dinner in Washington, DC, Malawi leader made assurance that government is working tirelessly to ensure that there should be no hunger this year as a team has been set up working on how Malawi can pass through this difficult time.

"We know that there will be a deficit of about 1 million we are supposed to harvest up to 3.1 million and we expect about 2.1 million. But we are working. Now we have set up a committee chaired by Minister of Finance consisting of Minister of Agriculture and Trade and Industry to develop a response to this." Said president Mutharika

"We are also working with World Food Programme. Director General of World Food Programme has assured us that no person is going to die of hunger and I can assure that nobody in this country is going to die of hunger" said while acknowledge that Malawi is in a very difficult situation.

President Mutharika also said his visit to some northern region areas, observed that many people will not have any harvest as crops dried up due to lack of rainfall "There is no question that there will be a big deficit, but we are working on it there are people who have left yesterday going to other countries to look at issues of maize" added Mutharika who repeated assuring the nation that "nobody is going to starve"

Meanwhile, Ministry of Agriculture has put in place several mitigation measures to avert looming hunger including promotion of growing of cassava and sweet potato, distribution of agricultural inputs to farmers for irrigation farming and f Government in line with the Malawi Growth and Government intends to prioritize domestic procurement of maize grain a

Development Strategy which aspire to economically empower Malawian farmers by, among other things, providing a market for their grain.

LL High Court Rejects State Application To Revoke Bail For Mphwiyo Shooting Suspects

The state application to revoke bail of all suspects accused of attempted murder and conspire to commit murder of former budget director Mr. Paul Mphwiyo has been rejected by the court.

The Lilongwe High Court has on Monday evening rejected a state application made last month asking Justice Michael Mtambo to nullify bail of suspects following alleged interference with and threats to state witnesses.

However, Justice Mtambo said though there was an audio affidavit where two state witnesses claimed to have been threatened but observed that they lacked definitive identification of the one who was issuing such threats.

The Judge says, the court finds no evidence or probability of threat hence rejection of the state application 

Apparently this rejection will have an impact to the court determination of the judgement on Wednesday of whether to continue or discontinue the case considering that the state has for all along emphasising that its key state witnesses including Charles Chalunda were interfered with and threatened.

Justice Mtambo is expected to make a judgement on Wednesday whether the accused have case to answer or not.

Former Justice and Constitution Affairs Minister, Raphael Kasambara who is representing himself, Pika and his brother Dauka Manondo, McDonald Kumwembe, Oswald Lutepo and Robert Kadzuwa are the suspects in this case.

Two Suspected Poachers Nabbed, Found with Gun, Ammunition

Two men aged 30 and 32, have been arrested in Salima district for entering Thuma forest reserve with a gun for possible poaching mission.

Police Public Relations Officer for Salima district, Sub Inspector Gift Chitowe has identified the suspects as Alfred Leviasi aged 30 of Kaoche village from T/A Tambala and Kwetemu Kazola aged 32 of Jailosi village from T/A Kasumbi both from Dedza  district.

"Police we have arrested the two for conveying dangerous weapon into a protected forest reserve called Thuma in the night of 25th April 2015." Confirmed Chitowe

Sub Inspector Chitowe says the two, were arrested and have their weapon seized. He identified the weapon as Greener Gun and that four ammunitions were found which  police suspect that they were to be use for poaching. 

He said, it was the game scouts working within Thuma forest reserve who alerted police having spotted two men sneaking into the forest with a gun. 

"Their intention was to kill protected wild animals like elephants that are found in this forest" said Sub Inspector Chitowe

The two suspects will appear before First Grade Magistrate Court soon where they will answer charges of conveying a dangerous weapon into a protected forest reserve which is under Forest Act. 

"If found guilty are likely to face eight year jail term." Said Sub Inspector Chitowe

Mphwiyo Shooting Case: State Has No Evidence Says Defense

Case To Answer Or Not Set This Wednesday 

The Lilongwe High Court has reserved a ruling to Wednesday this week on whether the accused persons in the attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder of Malawi's former Budget Director, Paul Mphwiyo are guilty or not guilty.

Justice Michael Mtambo is expected this Wednesday to make his determination of whether to continue or discontinue with the having finished listened to oral submissions by both parties on Monday.

Meanwhile the judge is also expected to rule whether Oswald Lutepo should be acquitted in the case following acknowledgement by state that Lutepo was a mistaken identity by the witness who implicated him.

State and Defense were since Monday morning till afternoon making oral submission following written submissions made on 21st of April 2015 and that Justice Mtambo was expected to make a ruling following day on Tuesday however, this has not been possible because submissions ended very late in the day.

The defense, in its submission argued that the state has failed to provide substantive evidence to demonstrate beyond reasonable doubt that the accused had conspired and attempted to kill Paul Mphwiyo who happened to be their friend.

Defense lawyers, John Gift Mwakhwawa, Wapona Kita and self represented lawyer Raphael Kasambara have submitted that the case is a script written by Paul Mphwiyo as it has demonstrated that the lead investigator in this case Kankhwala Chilinda had failed to provide evidence that he had investigations following testimony of Paul Mphwiyo and other witnesses.

The defense further accused Chilinda for lying to court in many occasions and that the state throughout the case has been inconsistent including its witnesses.

The defense also attacked Airtel call logs indicating suspects communication web even the night when Paul Mphwiyo was shot, saying the investigator or the state had not at any point indicated or brought any witness to prove that the phone numbers found in the call logs belongs to any of the suspects.

The defense also pointed out lack of bringing material evidence especially a note which is said to have been written down by Paul Mphwiyo to his aunt bearing names of those that shot him. 

But in its submission, the state has maintained that it has never been inconsistent but some inconsistencies came in due to accused persons interference with state witnesses and threats.

The state further submitted that it brought enough evidence that reveals how the suspects were communicating prior and during the time Paul Mphwiyo was shot. Adding that Paul Mphwiyo who survived the attack on 13th September 2013, was a living testimony to tell who shot him.

The suspects in the case of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder of Paul Mphwiyo are; Dauka and his brother Pika Manondo, McDonald Kumwembe, Robert Kadzuwa, Raphael Kasambara and Oswald Lutepo

RTS, S Malaria Vaccine Candidate Study Shows Success

Malawi team in Malaria vaccine study

A study on Malaria vaccine candidate has registered positive results, now thought to be a break through in the fight against Malaria in endemic regions in sub-Saharan Africa.

Final results from a large-scale Phase III trial of the RTS, S Malaria vaccine candidate including a booster dose shows that it can protect children and infants from clinical malaria for at least three years after first vaccination. 

Eleven research centres in 7 African countries including Area 18 Health Centre in Lilongwe conducted the efficacy and safety trial where the evaluation was in the context of the existing malaria control measures such as incectcide treated bed nets which were used by approximately 80% of the 15, 459  participants.

Prof. Francis Martinson

A Principle Investigator in the trial in Malawi, who is also UNC Project Country Director, Professor Francis Martinson says the latest results to the end of study demonstrates that RTS, S followed by a booster dose of RTS, S administered 18 months after primary schedule, reduced number of cases of clinical malaria in children aged 5-17 months by 36% and by 26% to Infants aged 6-12 weeks.

However without a booster dose the reduction in clinical malaria cases were between 28% and 18% in children and infants respectively.

"Today we have a vaccine which has shown to be effective in one way or the other, the vaccine had showed the efficacy of 36% in the order age group of 5 to 17 months so we are very happy because this is the first time that a vaccine has show some efficacy said Prof. Martinson who added that this is a progress and it is a first vaccine against the parasite."

"We believe this is a beginning of something big, we believe that this is a beginning is something good thats the vaccine hopefully will be improved over the years for us to also have something that works better than something we have seen."

Prof. Francis Martinson
(second from left) Next to him 
is Dr. Portia Kamthunzi 
(a Lead Physician/ Investigator 
of Records

On the recorded percentage efficacy against severe malaria to the end of the study period wich did not even reach 50%, he said If we look carefully the 36% sounds small but this is on top of 80% of bed net usage and that translates to 1774 cases of malaria prevented per every 1000 children. So it looks small but to have over a thousand cases of malaria prevented for every thousand people or children is not a mean achievement. It means at least everybody has been spared in one episode of going to the hospital and therefore the mother of that child is in a great relief because we all know what it means to get malaria and how our mothers suffer through the process for these kids.

Currently the data has been passed on to the European Medicines Agency, where they are looking at it and if they are happy with it they will refer the information to the WHO, who will also look at the results. 

"If the WHO will be happy with the information hopefully they will recommend to African governments to include the vaccine in their EPI programmes." said Prof. Francis Martinson

It is intended to complement and not supplement other malaria control interventions.

The results are important as infants are considered to be the primary target for RTS, S immunisation.

The Sumary details of the research 

Prof. Francis Martinson (middle) and Dr. Portia
Kamnthunzi to his right 

We are pleased to announce that the Final results from a large-scale Phase III trial of the RTS, S malaria vaccine candidate, including the impact of a booster dose, show that the vaccine candidate helped protect children and infants from clinical malaria for at least three years after first vaccination.

The latest results demonstrated that vaccination with RTS,S, followed by a booster dose of RTS,S administered 18 months after the primary schedule, reduced the number of cases of clinical malaria in children (aged 5-17 months at first vaccination) by 36% to the end of the study and in infants (aged6-12 weeks at first vaccination) by 26% to the end of the study. Efficacy decreased over time in both age groups. Without the booster dose, the vaccine reduced clinical malaria cases by 28% in children and 18% in infants to the study end. The efficacy of RTS,S was evaluated in the context of existing malaria control measures, such as insecticide treated bed nets, which were used by approximately 80% of the children and infants in the trial.

For children in the 5-17 month age category who received a booster dose, an average of 1,774 cases of clinical malaria were prevented for every 1,000 children vaccinated across the trial sites, at the end of the study. For infants aged 6-12 weeks age category, who received a booster dose, 983 cases of clinical malaria, on average, were prevented for every 1,000 infants vaccinated. More cases were averted in areas of higher malaria transmission. In the absence of a booster dose, 1,363 cases of clinical malaria were prevented, on average, for every 1,000 children aged 5-17 months and 558 cases for every 1,000 infants aged 6-12 weeks at first vaccination to the end of the study.

Statistically significant efficacy against severe malaria to the end of the study period was observed only in children who received the booster dose. There was indication of increased risk for severe malaria in children who did not receive the booster dose, compared to those in the control group.

Eleven research centres in seven African countries conducted the efficacy and safety trial, in partnership with GSK and the PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI), with grant funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to MVI. The trial, started in March 2009 and concluded in January 2014, enrolled 15,459 participants, in two age categories: children (aged 5-17 months at first vaccination) and infants (aged 6-12 weeks at first vaccination).

Safety

RTS,S continued to display an acceptable safety and tolerability profile during the entire study period. 

The incidence of fever in the week after vaccination was higher in children who received RTS,S than in those receiving control vaccine. In some children who experienced fever, the febrile reaction was accompanied by generalized convulsions, but all those affected fully recovered within seven days. The meningitis signal previously reported remains in the older age category, including two cases reported after the booster dose of RTS,S. This could be a chance finding, as comparisons were made across groups for many different diseases, and because some of these cases happened years after vaccination without any obvious relationship to vaccination. The occurrence of meningitis will be followed closely during Phase IV studies, if RTS,S is licensed.

These data was part of submissions to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in July 2014. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is currently reviewing the regulatory application for RTS,S through the Art. They will also be shared with appropriate World Health Organisation (WHO) committees. All these agencies are expected to play various roles in the registration of the vaccine for use in future. A positive opinion from the EMAs Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use, together with a potential policy recommendation from the World Health Organisation (anticipated by the end of 2015), would be the basis for licensure applications to National Regulatory Authorities in sub-Saharan African countries. If positive, these regulatory decisions would help pave the way for the introduction of RTS, S through African national immunisation programmes. If RTS, S is approved, GSK has committed to making the vaccine available at a not-for-profit price.

Sustainable Agricultural Production Programme Procures 22 Field Vehicles

Kumwembe handing over
the keys

Sustainable Agriculture Production Programme has procured 22 motor vehicles for its six site projects in order to ease mobility of Agricultural Officers to farmers.

This programme which is supported by IFAD, concentrates on enhancing agricultural productivity and improving rural food security through simple, affordable technologies, to help smallholder farmers bridge the wide gap between actual and possible food-crop yields in Malawi.

Under this project IFAD is pumping in US $51.1 million where  half as grant and half as Loan and that Malawi government is also putting in US $4.2 million and beneficiaries are also putting in US $ 1.2 million.

Principal Secretary II for Ministry of Agriculture Bright Kumwembe says the vehicles costs them a Billion Kwacha and has since advised Agricultural Development Division offices receiving the vehicles to take care of them, warning that drivers and any officers found misusing these vehicles shall face consequence.

“These vehicles are 22 in number and have cost us K1 billion. They are going to our six projects site, currently we have received 8 vehicles and the other vehicles will be receives in the coming two weeks” said Kumwembe

“We thought it wise that we give out these vehicles so that they start working in the field than waiting for the whole contingent of vehicles to be here.”

Speaking of importance of taking care of these new vehicles, Kumwembe said “The Ministry under our Agriculture Sector Wide Approach we have come up with the fleet management system which is going to help us monitor the vehicles in terms of service usage and abuse, so we are sure that the system is going to help us protect the investment that we have now as well as investments that we have had before this investment.”

As you might be aware, he added "government spends a lot of money to procure vehicles and manage them but often times we find that because of negligence we lose these vehicles. Now government is trying as much as possible to make sure that people who are negligent will have to meet the cost of their negligence.”

Salima Police Arrests 41 Children In 'Go Back To School' Campaign

Police in Salima together with Education, Social Welfare and Labour are in a campain 'Go Back to School' a campaign which involves sweeping exercise during night hours and stopping child labour.

Salima Police Public Relations Officer Sub Inspector Gift Chitowe says the joint force on this exercise aim at enrolling back some children who dropped out of school and to stop the malpractice of employing children to work in different parts of Salima particularly selling merchandise along the roads during late hours which is becoming a new attractive enterprise of young people in the district. 

Sub Inspector Chitowe says in the night hours of 22nd April police have already netted 41 school aged children found loitering and vending in some of the trading centres in the district and that parents and employers of these children have been cautioned to stop the malpractice forthwith or the law will take its course.

He further warned that if such parents and employers or any would be perpetrator of such malpractice is found guilty shall face eight year jail sentenced.

"We really want to end the problem in our district having seen the statistics of our registered offenses. It has been observed that most of the offenses like indecent assult of children and defilement cases which are very rampant  are a result of current trend where school aged children are found selling merchandise along streets during night hours, so this is making it simple for people using drugs and alcohol to take advantage of the situation to assault these children."

"This is a main reason why at the district council level, us police together with other departments of education, social welfare and labour to embark on stopping these children from being found along streets at night and get them back to school.” he explained

“So, currently we have arrested 41 children whom we have invited their parents and their employers. We cautioned them that nenever again send children to work at night hours and that every children must be at school else shall face the law and risks eight year jail term.”

"It is our hope that the current situation in Salima is ruining future of children, so we cannot wait and look as these children future is being spoiled. So we feel that time is now especially for the school dropout kids, that they can go back to school to make their future." Said Sub Inspector Chitowe

Ntchisi Police, Communities Join Forces in Protecting Albino

Police in Ntchisi have assured people in the district that it is geared to deal with all suspects who are trafficking and mistreating albinos.

According to Ntchisi Police Public Relations Officer, Sergeant Gladson M'bumpha, police in the district had on Thursday conducted Community Policing meeting at Traditional Authority Chilooko Headquarters where Officer Incharge for Ntchisi Police, Assistant Commissioner Chaupi Chiona appealed to the general public to report to police all suspected persons doing albino selling business.

"During the meeting,  weak and dead community policing forums were revamped to ensure that the area have total security." Said Sgt Gladson M'bumpha

Sgt M'bumpha also mentioned that during the meeting, Police distributed reflectors to community policing forums and members as one way of thanking them for the good work of working hand in hand with the police in reducing crime.

The Ntchisi Police PRO further said Traditional Authority Chilooko expressed gratitude for the restructuring of the community policing forums and further appealed to his subjects to help police tighten security and protect people with albinism.

The meeting attracted Senior Group headmen, Village headmen and community policing forums and members from the area of Traditional

Authority Chilooko in the district.

Man Gets 8 year Jail Sentence for Possessing Marijuana

Kasungu  First Grade Magistrate Court on Friday  has sentenced Symon Phiri age 46 to serve 8 years imprisonment for being found in possession  of cannabis sativa popularly known as Marijuana or Indian Hemp.

Symon was arrested on 18th April this year after Police got a tip from members of the public that he was keeping  cannabis  in his house said Inspector Edwin Kaunda Kasungu Police Public Relations Officer.

Inspector Kaunda said the man was found with 34 bags of the drug each weighing 50kg.

He pleaded  guilty to charge of being found in possession of cannabis sativa which is contrary to regulation 4(a) of Dangerous drug regulation as read with section 19(1) [subsection 1], of Dangerous Drug Act. 

Police prosecutors also tendered to court the said bags of cannabis sativa before sentencing.

In his submission the state prosecutor Assistant Superintendent Alphas Banda asked the court to give the convict a stiffer punishment because the offence he committed is serious and that the drug is one of the cause of insanity among the youths in the country. 

His worship Damiano agreed with state prosecutor and  gave the convict eight year jail term. 

Symon Phiri comes from Mekembambo village of Sub T/A Chisinga in Kasungu district.

18yr Old 'Malawi Vice President' Impersonator Ends Up In Police Custody

A silly planned idea has ended up young man in Lilongwe trip himself up into police custody, he pretended to be Malawi's Vice President 'Saulos Klaus Chilima'. He called police officer and order a release of his father from police cell.

The young man aged 18 who resides in Area 25, has since been arrested says Kanengo Police Public Relations Officer, Sergeant Esther Mkwanda.

Sgt Mkwanda has identified the impersonator as Frederick Chiwere of Chiwere village from T/A Chiwere in Dowa district and says police have charged him with offense of Giving false information.

According to Kanengo Police PRO, Frederick father, Mr. Munde Chiwere, was arrested on Wednesday for receiving stolen properties which were found in his house and is in police custody. But later that evening Kanengo Police Station Officer got a  call from a person claiming to be the 'Vice President of Malawi (Mr. Saulosi Chilima).'

Sgt Mkwanda said the 'Vice President' told the police officer that Mr. Matewere being detained in their custody was his uncle.

"He claimed Mr. Munde Chiwere is his uncle and ordered an immediate release of him in our custody"

"We began to investigate on this suspicious call and try to identify the caller. So our investigations revealed that the caller was only impersonating the Vice President and we manage to arrested him but to find that he was a son to our suspect Mr. Matewere." Explains Kanengo Police PRO

Then Sergeant Mkwanda said the young man, Frederick Matewere who is currently in custody, is to appear before Mkukula Magistrate Court this Friday 24 April 2015 where he will be answering charges of giving false information to a person employed by public service, an offence which is contrary to section 122 of the penal code and attracts a sentence of five years imprisonment.

"He has accepted to have committed the offense and was unable to say reasons for making the lie" said Sgt Mkwanda

Malawi Confirm Third Death in South Africa's Xenophobia Violence

 One more Malawian confirmed dead in South Africa's Xenophobic violence bringing total number of Malawian casualties in the ongoing bloody attacks against foreign African nationals to three (3).

Malawi Government in a statement confirms the death of the man Charles Toni aged 24 years and he hails from Chipole Village, Traditional Authority Maganga in Salima District. 

Kondwani Nankhumwa 

Information, Tourism and Culture Minister Kondwani Nankhumwa says the deceased was stabbed to death in Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa on 22nd April, 2015 and was laid to rest on 23rd April, 2015.

The Malawi Government Spokesperson further says the Government of Malawi through its High Commission office in South Africa, is still trying to establish the facts surrounding the death of another Malawian reportedly run over by a moving train in South Africa.

Nankhumwa says the circumstances surrounding his death will be made available as soon government establishes more facts on the matter.

The Government of Malawi continues to repatriate Malawians who have been affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa as eight (8) more buses will arrive this Friday, 24th April, 2015 with 532 returnees.

However, the Information Minister says the buses were initially carrying 509 returnees from Durban but when they got to Beit Bridge in South Africa they came across and picked up 23 Malawians who were stranded there without proper travel documents.

EU Projects In Malawi Making Positive Impact To Communities

• Five EU Member States Diplomats says are Impressed with Projects in Malawi

• The Ambassadors visited several projects before meeting CSOs, Private Sector and Legislatures 

The European Union (EU) Diplomats says EU is making positive impact to lives of Malawians through its funded projects being implemented in some parts of the country.

Five EU Member States Diplomats were in Malawi to assess its development projects including appreciate political situation and meet government officials, members of parliament, private sector and civil society.

After four day visits to EU projects sites, five senior resident and non-resident EU Member States Ambassadors of Finland, Italy, Spain, Ireland and Belgium have all expressed satisfaction of how EU projects are positively playing a key role in Malawi communities. 

At a press conference in the capital, Lilongwe, Head of EU delegation to the Republic of Malawi, Ambassador Marchel Gerrmann said the visit was very important for member states and ambassadors from five countries whom he described as ‘shareholders of EU’ to see firsthand and share quite a number of good results of EU projects in Malawi.

“They need to be convinced of what we are doing is a right thing, that we are really helping alleviate poverty of Malawians and support the government in doing that” said ambassador Gerrmann

Finland Ambassador to Lusaka, Timo Olkkonen also accredited to Malawi and Zimbabwe says the EU money in Malawi is being channeled for the good use after observing that every project being implemented is bringing positive impact among lives of Malawians.

“What we have seen here is that the EU money in my opinion is targeted to the right sectors and strategically important sectors like agriculture, forestry, human rights and democratic processes” said ambassador Olkkonen whose remark were echoed by Italian ambassador to Lusaka, Pier Mario Darco.

“What we saw on the activities taking place in Malawi, am quite confident also that we are reaching results with that funding. So, at least for me this was a very positive experience and in the sense that the European tax payers money are put in the good use” 

But the Finish Ambassador has pointed out rapid population growth as one critical issue that Malawi has to address a point which Spain Acting Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Komena Tarmori agrees and also mentioned that the government is ready to support Malawi in several investments areas.

On her part, the Irish Ambassador to Malawi, Ms. Aine Hearns said the field visits to the EU projects has been enlightening moment and was happy to note that the annual 500 km rural road rehabilitation projects are economically empowering communities in transportation of their farm produce to markets as well as assisting women to easily access to hospitals since the roads are passable by ambulances.

And the Belgium ambassador to Dar Es Salaam, Koen Adam who also said he is impressed with development projects in Malawi, promised that Belgium is committed to continue assisting Malawi in agriculture.

The delegation has further expressed satisfaction in projects on civic education, Agriculture Sector Wide Approach project which is supporting in food security, rehabilitation of Kanengo grain silo upgrade a project which with EU intervention the ambassadors says there is much more efficient usage of the storage of grain, and on sustainable management of forests.

The delegation also hails Malawi civil society organizations for being active and in good terms with government.

Malawi Inflation Down By 1.5% In March

February 2015 

Malawi has registered another improvement in the month of March as the inflation ease by 1.5% similar to last month rates.

The National Statistical Office on its website indicates Malawi Consumer Price Indices (CPI) Dashboard for March 2015 has registered a reduction as the headline inflation for March 2015 shows now stands at 18.2 percent a decrease of 1.5 percent from last month (February 2015) where the rates were at 19.7%

The decrease is also an improvement from headline inflation of 24.0 percent for the same period last year (March 2014).

NSO indicates this is a result of decrease in both food and non-food commodities. 

The urban and rural rates stand at 19.7 percent and 18.0 percent respectively from 22.5 percent and 19.0 percent respectively last in February.

Now, overall, food inflation stands at 17.0 percent from 19.0 percent in February 2015. Food inflation has decreased due to continuous low prices of various food items while the decrease in non-food inflation is still emanating from mainly the effects of decline in fuel prices.

Malawi Public Sector Reforms Remedy To Get Economy Back- EU

A delegation to Malawi of five European Union (EU) Member States Diplomats has promised to support implementation of the Malawi Government reform agenda saying these reforms are a promising path to sustainable economic growth for the country.

The five Senior Diplomats of EU Member States of Finland, Belgium, Italy, Spain and Ireland had on Tuesday met Malawi Vice President Hon Saulos Claus Chilima as they were about to conclude a four day visit to Malawi to appreciate number of projects being Funded by EU. 

EU Head of Delegation to Republic of Malawi, Ambassador Marchel Gerrmann at a press conference on Wednesday in Lilongwe said their encounter with the vice president was fruitful because the EU got an over view of what Malawi government is doing.

He said the issue being pursued by Malawi Government on reforming the Public Sector is the way to go and the EU is ready to help in the implementation.

Malawi government is implementing the Public Sector Reforms in order to improve efficiency and effectiveness in public institutions. 

“With the Vice President we discussed mainly the reform agenda of the government in terms of public sector reform and the public finance management reforms. The vice president gave an overview the current state of affairs.” Said ambassador Gerrmann

“From our side, we have commended the government for launching these reforms and we have also committed ourselves to support government in the implementation because at the end of the day implementation of those reforms is needed to get Malawi back on the path to sustainable growth.”

“We are ready to assist and we are assisting and we are working closely with the Government to do that and it was a positive meeting as well.” He added

On his part the Ambassador Koen Adam of Belgium based in Tanzania also said was impressed with the reforms being championed by Malawi Government but emphasized that the implementation is very crucial.

The Belgium Ambassador further hailed the Malawi National Assembly for its diligence in promotion of constitution and democracy in the country.

"Xenophobic Attacks Tantamount to Boko Haram Acts" Malawi Human Rights Activists Threatens To Report South Africa To ICC, UN

A human rights activist and executive director for Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR), Timothy Mtambo says Malawi Civil Society Organisations will seek help from international organisations on human rights to investigate the Government of South Africa it fail to stop to an end the ongoing bloody attacks against African immigrants.

Mtambo and other human rights activists including politicians have on Tuesday presented a petition to South African embassy in Malawi calling the immediate halt of the Xenophobia attacks against African immigrants a bloody violence which has killed more than five people including two Malawians. The petition which was received by South African high commissioner to Malawi, Ambassador Cassandra Mbuyane Mokone has threatened boycott South African products and businesses once no concrete steps are taken to end the violence. 

In an interview, the human rights activist Timothy Mtambo said apart from action to boycott any product and services which are South African once the violence continues, Malawi CSO's will be left with no other option but also to mobilise themselves to report South African Government for atrocities being committed through its citizens to international human rights institutions like International Criminal Court (ICC), United Nations (UN) And African Court of Justice and Human Rights saying South Africa is commiting crimes of the highest order.

“As civil society we will be watching, if we see that the South African Government is not handling this issue seriously we have other forums to complain to” said Mtambo who mentioned International Criminal Court saying such acts taking place in South Africa are "crimes against humanity! People have been killed” he said 

"We will mobilize ourselves to complain before ICC or United Nations (UN) which Malawi is signatory so that they can intervene and investigate the South African Government." 

Disapointed with reports of violence in South Africa, Timothy Mtambo has also branded xenophobia violence in South Africa as tantamount to Boko Haram acts, "They are both killing people so for us there is no deference and the way we condemn Boko Haram we also condemn the Xenophobia in the strongest terms.”

“What is very painful is that this is not first time for xenophobic attacks happening in South Africa, it is very shocking” he said and continued "Why is it that the government of South Africa continue dehumanizing the rights of the people in such a manner through its people?” 

"So, we want the South African government to show leadership, condemn this and make sure that justice is met. The repetition of Xenophobia shows lack of seriousness on the part of South African Government." 

Mtambo added "We citizens of SADC we would like them to make sure that people that have been victimized receive justice and those responsible be punished and xenophobia must end once for all, that should not repeat itself in the history of Africa.

Meanwhile, reports in South Africa indicates that Government is stepping up efforts in ending the violence following deployment of military to support police in Johannesburg township of Alexandra. According to News24, the South African Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula announced on Tuesday that the army will be involved in fostering peace in volatile areas. 

Reports also indicates the tribal leader for Zulu ethnic group King Goodwill Zwelithini, has distances himself from the widespread allegations that he uttered remarks which fueled the Xenophobia violence.

King Goodwill Zwelithini who is being blamed for inciting deadly xenophobic violence in South Africa claimed he was misquoted by media to have uttered words "foreigners must pack their bags and go home" during speech last month. He has since appealed for calm and condemn attacks against foreigners.