Cashgate Convict Savala At Maula Prison Pending Sentence

Savala taken out of court for Maula prison

Cashgate convict, Caroline Savala to spend some days at Maula prison, pending sentencing in a date to be communicated by the High Court.

Savala answering charges of looting public money amounting to K84 million in 2013, has been walking freely since her conviction recently by Lilongwe High Court.

Her hearing before sentencing has been adjourned on Friday to unspecified date after court had failed to get the certificates for Savala construction company, which the state counsel want to use so that Savala should make some few clarifications.

When Justice Fiona Mwale began to make announcement of adjournment of the case to a later date all anticipation turned out to be different making rude awakening to the convict and family. 

Even before halfway of the announcement, Justice Mwale said since Savala is a convict, she lost “Right to Liberty” and needs to be incarcerated. Then she adjourned the case to a later date.

Caroline Savala and her parents were in tears upon hearing the announced immediate detention. Even when she left the court for the police vehicle, Savala made loud cry’s while condemning state counsel Kamdoni Nyasulu, that he must be excited now that she is going to suffer more following the detention at Maula.   

When convicted, Savala walked home freely without court bail a development which raised a lot of debate.

Appearing before Justice Fiona Mwale on Friday afternoon for hearing before sentencing, Savala also made recount of how her construction business account got million of Kwachas from the deal she had with Mr. Leonard Kalonga a former Ministry of Tourism official also answering another Cashgate case.

However, Savala in her tell it all, said she did not know that Kalonga was siphoning public money.

Focus On Youth Employment Vital For Malawi- ILO

The new International Labour Organisation (ILO) country director responsible for Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia has says Youth Employment will be his one of the priority areas of focus for Malawi.

Mr. Alexio Mushindo the new ILO director for the three countries, currently in Malawi for talks with number of partners and Government officials has been introduced at a press conference in Lilongwe jointly held with the Minister of Labour and Manpower development Hon. Henry Mussa.

"As an organization, we have priorities to take care. Just looking at the situation in Malawi so far from my readings which is similar to number of African countries, I will put the priority around youth employment. Employment in general that has a special focus on young people" said Mushindo

He explained; "We all know that young people are both potential for increased productivity as they participate in economic development,  at the same time, once their incomes are increased there is increased opportunities for them to consume and invest. Again contribute further to economic growth."

Mushindo then assured "Youth Employment is something that we will support and we will pursue as organization"

However, Mushindo said the first state of priorities that he is focusing on, are driven by discussions that he is holding during the course of this week and the discussions that he already had with Labour minister.

Mushindo

He said from such discussions ILO wants to know the needs from its partners and then align them with ILO thematic areas and establish priority areas that it needs to focus on.

He indicated that ILO will further encourage Social Dialogue between partners for a better working environment noting that unresolved labour disputes are detrimental to a country's productivity and the economic performance.

He also mentioned that Social Protection and Social Security is another priority for ILO in Malawi. This he said follows discussions he had in Geneva with Malawi's Labour Minister who asked ILO to increase its focus on addressing the challenges on informal economy.

The new ILO country director emphasized that the organization will be looking at gender aspects in all the priorities of addressing youth employment, social protection, dialogue and needs.

In Malawi ILO is among others; supporting Government in areas of HIV/AIDS by working with people affected and infected by HIV/AIDS through economic empowerment, elimination of Child Labour in Tobacco growing areas and ensure that children have access to education and skills for employability as well as promotion of employment creation.

Malawi Govt To Establish Employment Bureau

Malawi Government set to establish Labour Employment Bureau says Minister of Labour and Manpower Development

Hon. Henry Mussa told journalists in Lilongwe that Government would like to end burden that people are facing when searching for employment, as well, to enable employers have information of number of qualified people they look for.

He said Malawi is to establish the office with support of International Labour Organisation (ILO) and offices will be in each and every district.

Mussa was speaking in Lilongwe when introducing the new Country Director for International Labour Organisation responsible for Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique Mr. Alexio Mushindo.

"He came to get our priority list, one of which is establishment of Labour Employment Bureaus." He said

"We are going to have system data that the job seeker, by the touch of a button is able to know which companies are looking for what skills. Equally the employers should be able to get information as to how many of qualified people are looking for employment."

The Minister added that government is preparing for infrastructure, hiring of district labour officers and equipment for the offices.

Mussa emphasized that the Labour Employment Bureau is one of the key area which Malawi has asked ILO to assist because government wants to enable people look and find jobs in their district of residents without necessarily travel to towns or another region to look for jobs.

Ntchisi Woman Die in Collapsed Clay Soil Mine

A 52 year old woman has died in a tragic accident in Ntchisi district when upper cavity walls of clay soil tunnel she was in collapsed.

Ntchisi District Police Public Relations Officer,  Sergeant Gladson M'bumpha said the deceased identified as Mary Batson Mwale, was buried inside canal when trying to mine clay soil which she wanted to decorate her house.

"Police investigations indicate that on Monday July 27 2015 at around 4pm, the deceased in a company of two other women went to collect soil
for smearing their houses.
As the deceased was digging the soil in the mine, the upper cavity of the wall of the mine collapsed and fell over her and died on the spot." Said M'bumpha

Sergeant M'bumpha indicated that clinical officer from Ntchisi District Hospital confirmed that the death was due to internal bleeding.

The incident that killed Mary Batson Mwale on Monday 27th July,  2015 happened at Chinguwo village in the area of Traditional Authority Kalumo in Ntchisi

Sergeant M'bumpha said the deceased was from Nkhwindima village in the area of Traditional Authority Kalumo in Ntchisi.

Similarly incident has occured on 16th this month where a woman lost life in Dowa district while two others were admitted at Dowa District Hospital when the upper cavity of a tunnel they were in to extract clay soil collapsed and fell on them.

Sergeant Richard Kaponda,  Dowa Police Public Relations Officer identified the deceased as Namatochi Isaac aged 62 of Mwaza village  from T/A Chiwere in Dowa district.

He said these women were in a village competition involving prize money to the best house decorator. He said the incident took place at Bimphi village T/A Chiwere  and were trapped in a cave along Chigodi river where the deceased died on sport due to head injuries.

Edwin Mauluka Today understands that the Dowa incident is the third in the district in a period of two years following two separate incidences last year.  In one incident that occurred in April 2014,  three women died and one was left with sustained serious injuries.

However Sergeant Kaponda says such incidences are happening in the same area despite several warnings from the chiefs and police.

Malawi To Open Embassy in Geneva

Malawi Government ready to open Embassy in Geneva, Switzerland to tap into number of opportunities from international institutions headquartered there.

Minister of Labour and Manpower Development Hon Henry Mussa announced the on Wednesday in the Capital, City Lilongwe that this follows President Peter Mutharika directive that there has to be permanent office in Geneva, Switzerland.

"It pleased His Excellency the President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika to direct that there be the Embassy in Geneva" announced Mussa at a news conference

He said Malawi for long time has missed opportunities for not having office in Geneva, home to United Nations and other international institutions. He therefore expressed optimism that Malawi is to benefit from such a development.

"This is a very exciting development because all the UN Agencies are in Geneva including UN Head quarters. There are a lot of benefits that Malawi stands to benefit. Good example is the International Labour Organisation (ILO) we will definitely be having an officer full time to deal with issues support into the labour services"

Mussa said the High Commissioner has already been identified through interviews made by Public Appointment Committee of Parliament

"Once all the processes are over then we shall be heavily represented where some of the good opportunities that we have been missing over the year's will be a thing of the past" added Mussa

Access to Information Bill Ready for Parliament

Much anticipated ‘Access to Information Bill’ ready for the upcoming Meeting of Parliament.

Justin Saidi

Principle Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Tourism and Culture, Justin Saidi revealed this during the Catholic Church’s commemorations for the Communication Day at Mtima Woyera Parish in the Arch Diocese of Lilongwe.

“Well, we have gone through all the process that are supposed to be followed and what remain is simply taking it to the upcoming Meeting of Parliament” said Saidi

Saidi who attended this year’s Communication Day as a guest of honor at Mtima Woyera Parish was responding to the call made by General Secretary for Episcopal Conference of Malawi Fr. Henry Saindi who asked government to speed the process for the enactment of bill into law to help Journalists easily access to Government information.

Fr. Henry Saindi

“In any country that this has been approved as a law, it is a useful tool for those who are working as Journalists because then, they have possibility of accessing important information that can also help in the development of the country; but without sweating for this information or without having to do as if they are begging for this information.” Said Fr. Saindi

Currently in Malawi he said “those who have the information which has to be disseminated to people at times they don’t serve Journalists.”

“Access to Information Bill if it is turned into a Law, will help the Journalists to access information which they require in order to disseminate to the entire nation. So it is an important tool"

There Is No Justifiable Grounds for Abortion Maintains Catholic Church in Malawi

Catholic Bishop Arch Bishop Ziyaye and Priests 

The Catholic Church teachings on abortion are not shaken even with the recent announced proposed grounds for legal abortion,  are unacceptable in the Church.

The Church has publicly announced its stance on the issue few weeks after pronouncement of findings and recommendations by the Special Law Commission on the Review on Abortion Law.

Secretary General for the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) Fr. Henry Saindi in his speech during commemorations for the Communication Day at Mtima Woyera Parish in the Arch Diocese of Lilongwe, said the Catholic Church stance on abortion will never change adding that Malawi Catholic Bishops will continue to uphold the church teaching on abortion.

The Special Law Commission on review on Abortion Law, findings and recommendations states that, termination of pregnancy be performed only for certain justifiable instances through an operation.

Recommendations propose that termination of pregnancy be done ‘only’ to save the life of pregnant woman, or if there is malformation of the foetus which will affect its viability or compatibility with life as well as where the pregnancy is as a result of rape, incest or defilement.

Fr. Saindi delivering speech

“Catholic Church already addressed this issue.” Said Fr. Saindi to the congregation “The position of the church has never changed and it will never change”

Fr. Saindi stated that issue of legalizing abortion has come in different way now as recommendations by the Special Commission allows termination of pregnancy for ‘only’ justifiable instances. However, he said nothing is “new” because the same issue was addressed in 2013 Catholic Bishops Pastoral Letter in which they tackled issues concerning Homosexuality and legalizing Abortion.

Fr. Henry Saindi

“Abortion in these instances cannot be tolerated or permitted by the Catholic Church.” He said and emphasized that “The position of the church is that Abortion is the killing the unborn child because we know that the life of a person begins when a child is conceived.”

“The unborn child has a right to live and must always be protected by the society.” Continued Fr. Saindi

He then explained that the Catholic Church on abortion advocates and always emphasize the role counseling of women and girls found in a situation of terminating pregnancy.

“For example those who have been raped and found to be pregnant, they have to be counseled, they have to be helped to accept their situation and the gift that God has given to them.”

Fastjet Flight Between Lilongwe-Dar es Salaam Begins

A newly licensed airline operator Fastjet launches flight route between Dar es Salaam and Lilongwe, twice a week.

Fastjet Airbus A 319 Aircraft with a capacity of 148 economy class seats had its first landing at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) on Monday morning from Dar es Salaam. 

The jet which carried about 50 passengers flown back to Dar es Salaam with over 100 passengers.

Jimmy Kibati interacting with Kasaila 

Fastjet General Manager for East Africa, Jimmy Kibati has promised customers from the two destinations; affordable, reliable and safety service. 

“We focus on reliability, safety and one of the biggest offer we are giving to our customer is affordability” said Kibati 

“We are extremely reliable. Our punctuality is at 90 percent on average” he said adding “We Were ranked a fast and cheapest airline in Africa and fifth cheapest airline in the world.”

Fastjet Captain and air hostesses 

Said Kibati; “Yes we are a low cost airline but, we are not a cheap airline in terms of products offer. We have got a high end aircraft type which is very spacey even the seat pitch gives comfort.” 

Kibati indicated that Fastjet is targeting fast time travelers, people who go by road and those in tourism markets. He therefore hoped that good number of Malawians and Tanzanians traders who travel by road in these two countries will be its customers.

Jimmy Kibati landing at KIA

In terms of expanding its destination in Malawi, he said the company eyes Blantyre as the next destination by December with daily flights as minimum. He also said they are looking for Eastern and Southern Africa routes that are within or below 3 hour flight range.

Welcoming the Jet in style

Minister of Transport and Public Works Hon. Francis Kasaila who was present at the launch said Malawi is pleased that Fastjet airline a Tanzanian registered low cost airline “seem to be here to respond to the calls for affordable air travel in the region”

Kasaila observed that, due to high fares, air travel has been associated with the rich and that a lot of people in the region opt to use ground transport.

“This is a very welcome development, we believe that the civil aviation sector has a big role to play if we are to improve economically as a country because when you are using the sector you are able to manage time very well and in so doing you are able to economically runaround than using the road sector” said Kasaila

The Transport Minister also said Malawi is looking forward to have more operators who offer direct flights to international destinations in order to significantly reduce the airfares.

Malawi government issued Foreign Air Operations Certificate to Fastjet on 23rd June 2015. But Kasaila also indicated that government will further facilitate services on the route by embarking on renewing the Bilateral Air Service Agreement between Malawi and Tanzania to ensure conducive environment for the operators and proper regulatory regime. 

Reforms in Aviation Sector

“We as a Ministry we expressed interest to engage some of the airlines operators but we still have some few  challenges that we need to sort out. Last sitting of parliament   there was a bill towards improvement of services in civil aviation. That is very key. Because big airlines they need to be assured of safety of their equipments and people that are travelling.” said Kasaila 

“Therefore government has to make sure that services that are being provided at our two international airports are upgraded to standard which will give confidence to the operators. We believe that come next year we should be able to move towards that and in so doing we may be able to attract other airlines” he assured 

Fastjet has been given two flights per week due to Malawi shortfalls on services on International Airports and the requirements of International Civil Aviation. As government work towards improving airport services complete, government says will give them more frequencies.

Proper Use of Communication Platforms Vital for Development, Family Life

Arch Bishop Ziyaye 

Proper utilization of modern and traditional communication tools and platforms couple with sharing truthful information to the public is central in accelerating development and deepening of love among people and the life of the family.

During his homily at Mtima Woyera Parish, commemorating the 49th World Communication, His Grace Tarcisius Ziyaye of Lilongwe Arch Diocese noted number of vital roles media houses, journalists and those working as communicators play in spreading of various messages to the people.

Part of the congregation 

However, the Arch Bishop Ziyaye emphasized the need for the appropriate use of information and mediums of communication stating that Communicators must share with public the truthful information.

Bishop Ziyaye who underlined the importance of true love in people’s daily lives, said communicators must have love of God in their heart to help them share information which foster development but not information which influence immoral behavior and strange cultural practices. 

Touching on this year’s Communication Day theme, ‘Communicating the Family: A Privileged Place of Encounter with the Gift of Love’ Ziyaye urged every person to use all communication devices and mediums in a Christian manner and properly exploit them to defend dignity of the family.

Ziyaye said communication platforms should be used to share Godly information and helping people to live a happy family life and move closer to God.

Arch Bishop Ziyaye also praised Government of Malawi for allowing the Catholic Church including other religious denominations as well as individuals to establish their own media houses.

Guest of honor at the ceremony, Justin Saidi, Principle Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Tourism and Culture, also noted the importance of sharing the right information.

Justin Saidi

He also commended the Catholic Church for having Communication Day saying it recognizes importance of communication and communicators in development.

He among others hailed the Catholic Church for establishing number of radio stations and printing houses which he said “helps” to disseminate information about the development of the country and Christianity

“Government alone cannot reach out to everybody, so we are happy that the Catholic Church is doing part of what government is supposed to do and us as government we are committed to work together with the church so that we should build our nation” he added

Earlier, Secretary General for Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), Fr. Henry Saindi, speaking on behalf of Communications Secretary, also emphasized the importance of responsibility and factual when sharing information. 

Saindi said communicators must always share useful and helpful information for the development of human beings, the church and the entire nation.

Communication Day is an opportunity where the Catholic church reflects the importance of communication in the Church as well as in development of human beings and the nation.

Deposit-Taking ATMs Reducing Banking Hall Congestion- Standard Bank

Standard Bank

Woman depositing money on ATM

Standard Bank Malawi says the newly launched deposit-taking Auto Teller Machine (ATM) services have significantly reduced queues in its banking halls across crevice centres in the country. 

In its quest to continue moving its customers forward Standard Bank on 22nd May 2015, launched deposit-taking ATMs is in line with the bank’s continued improvements in digital banking capabilities in response to increasing customer preferences.

Frank Chirwa 

Speaking in an interview, Standard Bank’s Sales and Customer Experience Manager, Frank Chirwa while encouraging customers to utilize the Deposit-taking ATMs, said unlike the past, the bank has reduced congestion in banking halls.

He said, with capacity of making deposits of up to K40 thousand at a time, customers are able to deposit quickly without getting inside of the banking hall hence the reduced incidences of congestion. 

“We don’t want our customers to queue.” Said Chirwa “What you have to do is go outside and find ATM and deposit. In that way you are able to do deposit during both day and night. So you don’t have to wait for the bank to open”

When launching the service, Standard Bank announced that the new service is available at existing ATM points across 11 strategic branches of the bank and that Customers must use their personal ATM cards in order to interact with deposit-enabled ATMs.

Reckless Driver Fined K450 thousand

Kasungu First Grade Magistrate Court has sentenced a 30 year old man to pay a fine of K450,000 (four hundred and fifty thousand kwacha) in default 18 months imprisonment for reckless driving causing the death of a 31 year old passenger.

Mr. Goodwin M’gawa aged 30 from Enukweni village T/A Mtwalo in Mzimba district was answering charges of reckless driving following the accident which occurred on early this month when his vehicle overturned killing one of his passengers as he was trying to overtake another vehicle.

According to Kasungu Deputy Public Relations Officer Sub Inspector Edna Nzingwitsa the deceased was identified as Shadreck Zimba aged 31 from Mtondo village T/A Kaomba in Kasungu district.

Goodwin appeared before Kasungu First Grade Magistrate Court on the Thursday where he pleaded guilty to the charge of causing death by reckless driving.

When passing the sentence, First Grade Magistrate Damiano Banda said such accidents have increased in Kasungu district and his judgement serves as a lesson to other drivers.

When the driver pays the fine a sum of K400,000 will be given to the family of the deceased as compensation.

Reckless or negligent driving is contrary to section 126 of Road Traffic Act.

Two Kasungu Men Sentenced To 10 Years For Defilement

It seem issues of defilement refuse to die in Malawi, as Kasungu First Grade Magistrate Court on Friday sentenced two men to stay for ten years imprisonment  for defiling little girls.

According to Kasungu Public Relations Officer Inspector Edwin Kaunda two young men  Frank Nyirenda aged 28 who defiled a 12 year old girl and John Magombo aged 30 who defiled a 14 year old girl are to remain behind bars for ten years.

According to Inspector Kaunda,  the two had in their separate incidences defiled the girls and and appeared before Kasungu Court to face justice.

Kaunda said Nyirenda attacked the girl (name withheld) by dragging her to a bush at place which is between Lukwa Trading Center and Mwimba village. On this day the girl was on her way to a maize mill. 

In similar incident John Magombo defiled a 14 year old girl. Magombo who worked for the father of the girl, coaxed the girl to escort him to Chinkhoma Trading Center where he defiled her.

Appearing before Kasungu First Grade Magistrate Court on Thursday both pleaded guilty to the charges of defilement.

In passing the sentence on Friday His worship Damiano Banda while observing that cases of defilement are so rampant in Kasungu district emphasised that the two needed stiffer punishment to protect the society and send a lesson to would be perpetrators. 

Some few days ago, a 28-year-old teacher from Mingu Primary School in Ntchisi has been sentenced to 50 months imprisonment with hard labour for defiling a 14-year-old girl who was in standard eight.

Ernest Banda,  a 48 year old teacher at Mziza Secondary School is also expected to answer charge of defilement of a 14 year old imbecile,  contrary to section 139 of the Penal Code.

Kasungu Police Public Relations Officer,  Inspector Edwin Kaunda said the teacher, a Seventh Day Adventist, invited in his house the fellow church member (14 year old girl) and defiled her.

Malawi Abortion Law Slightly Changed

• The Future Legislation Proposes Grounds for lawful termination of Pregnancy

• Termination of Pregnancy be done at certified service provider and service points

• Any abortion outside proposed grounds remain criminal

Some of the Commissioners for the Abortion
Law Review 

The Special Law Commission on the Review On Abortion Law resolved and agreed that the law be liberalised (that is, conditional relaxation of the restrictions) as opposed to decriminalisation to cater for certain justifiable instances where termination of a pregnancy should be permissible.

“The position of the law is that abortion is illegal in Malawi except where it is performed to save the life of the pregnant woman through a surgical operation.” Said Justice Esme Chombo chairperson for the Special Commission at a pressbriefing on Friday night in the Capital city, Lilongwe

Justice Esme Chombo

“The Penal Code criminalises all such acts of procuring or assisting in the procuring of a miscarriage of a pregnant woman. Anyone found guilty of such offences is liable to serve a prison sentence ranging from three to fourteen years.” She said

Chombo then said on the basis of this recommendation, the Commission proceeded to identify the grounds to justifying the termination

Reviewed Law on recommends that, termination of pregnancy be performed only for certain justifiable instances; particularly to save the life of pregnant woman, or if there is malformation of the foetus which will affect its viability or compatibility with life as well as where the pregnancy is as a result of rape, incest or defilement.

Proposed Legislation on Abortion Clear On Conscientious Objection

The Special Law Commission on the Review On Abortion Law says the health-care providers should have the right to conscientious objection subject to the limitations.

Commissioners for Abortion Law Review 

Apart from touching on proposed grounds for lawful termination of pregnancies as well as proposed service providers and service delivery points, the newly proposed Legislation also set out recommendations for the health-care providers once they have ‘Conscientious Objection’ on termination of pregnancy.

Special Commission Chairperson Justice Esme Chombo, said the Commission observed that “principles of religious freedom” protect physicians, nurses and others who refuse participation in medical procedures to which they hold conscientious objections. In addition, she said, international and national law in most countries including Malawi (Section 33 of the Constitution), guarantees the right to freedom of conscience, religion, belief and thought.

“Patients as well as physicians may appeal to conscience in refusing treatment or procedures.” Said Chombo when delivering the findings and recommendations on Friday “Abortion remains one of the most morally and ethically sensitive issues in medicine and many doctors have opted out of performing terminations because they do not agree with the procedure.” 

However, the Commission still encourages certified health institutions and well trained health service providers who may refuse “on moral or religious grounds” to terminate pregnancy to find other ways of assisting the woman who deserve to have her pregnancy terminated.

“Based on this, the Commission found it necessary to address the issue of conscientious objection upon the revelation that sometimes it has been used outright to deny women access to legal medical services including termination of pregnancy and also because it is an internationally recognized human right for health care personnel.” Said Justice Chombo

Justice Chombo said, the Commission recommends that; if a health service provider refuses to provide legal abortion services having registered a conscientious objection, that provider must refer the pregnant woman to a practitioner who is willing to perform the abortion.

She also said health service providers, regardless of their religious or moral objections, have a duty to perform an abortion if the woman will suffer adverse health consequences if the abortion is not promptly carried out.

Furthermore, the commission recommends that service providers must provide women seeking to terminate a pregnancy with information on legal termination of pregnancy services and that it is only health service providers who are directly involved in the provision of abortion that may object to providing the procedure.

Commissioners for the Abortion Law Review 

The work of the special Law Commission on the Review On Abortion Law started in June 2013 following high prevalence of maternal mortality in Malawi and identified unsafe abortion as one of the major contributing factors to this problem. 

Unsafe abortion are common in Malawi particularly among poor women and girls due to restrictive law on abortion and the criminal sanctions that follow.

This special Law Commission was appointed under section 133 of the Constitution and the membership of the Commission comprised representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Judiciary, the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, Malawi Council of Churches, Muslim Association of Malawi, Traditional Leaders, the Law Society, Ministry of Justice and the Malawi College of Medicine.

The Commission’s findings and recommendations are contained in a Report which the Commission will submit to the Government. Further, contained in the Report is proposed legislation entitled Termination of Pregnancy Bill which the Commission commend to Parliament and the people of Malawi for enactment into law


Read the full report for the Review On Abortion Law

Standard Bank Introduce ‘Be Your Own Bank Promotion’

Standard Bank Capital City Branch

Standard Bank launches ‘Be Your Own Bank—Transact & Win’ promotion for existing Current Account Customers and those opening Current Account with complete Internet Banking service option.

The Bank announced that Customers stand a chance of winning K1 million grand prize and K5 hundred thousand for runner-up and many other fabulous prizes up for grabs during fortnight lucky draws.

Launching the promotion, Standard Bank’s Sales and Customer Experience Manager, Frank Chirwa said the promotion aims at empower customers to be their own bank managers by conduct Current Account transactions using bank’s Internet Platform.

Frank Chirwa

He said Current Account customers registered on Internet Banking must transact a minimum of four times every two weeks, and have higher chances of winning with more transactions.

The promotion the promotion which runs from 17th July to October 30, 2015, enables Current Account customer transact virtually from their phone or computer using Standard Bank’s Internet Banking platform.

“We are trying to focus on the customer to make sure that whatever they do on the internet banking is rewarded.” said Frank Chirwa

“We are looking at customers that are new to the Bank. There are some customers that are already with us but don’t have internet bank while others have internet banking but they don’t use it, so we are trying to encourage those to make sure that they are able to use our platform.” Added Chirwa

He also assured that the Standard Bank internet banking is; reliable, smart, safe, secure and fast convenient since customers can transact at any time and from anywhere without them physically visit the bank.

“Our system is accredited globally and is managed by our team in South Africa Center” he said

“It has taken years of careful planning and continuous improvement of our digital banking platform with the objective of giving customers peace of mind, security and flexibility, the same leverage enjoyed by all our customers globally” said the Sales and Customer Experience Manager

He said customers will get trained on transacting using internet banking and will be followed up after two weeks.

‘Be your own Bank-Transact & Win’ is the third initiative from Standard Bank under the financial institutions digital offering this year. The others are deposit-taking ATMs and ATM card-based Swipe for customers shopping at a leading retailers and service providers.

Fast Facts on the ‘Be your own Bank-Transact & Win’

The third place winner will walk home with a DSTV Explorer plus a month’s subscription. Other fabulous prizes up for grabs during fortnight lucky draws are in the promotion are Samsung Galaxy S6, flash discs, caps and T-shirts. Promotions runs from July 17 to October 30th, 2015.

To stand a chance of winning existing Current Account Customers need to register for Internet Banking while potential ones should open a Current Account complete with the Internet Banking Service option.

The customers must ensure to transact a minimum of four times every two weeks, and the more transactions one conducts, the higher their chances of winning.

With this internet banking system, there is no time for queuing to check your balance and pay bills at Standard Bank, a customer need just to press a button.

Airtel Malawi Donates K4 million to Malawi Marketers

Francis Matseketsa (Left)Francis Moto (right)

The Chartered Institute of Marketers (CIM), Malawi Chapter has received a sum of K4 million from Malawi’s leading mobile telecommunications operator, Airtel Malawi.

The funds will go towards The 2015 CIM Malawi’s annual conference to be held in September this year at Sunbird Mkopola Lodge in Mangochi.

Speaking when presenting the cheque in Lilongwe, Airtel Money country director Francis Matseketsa said the donation was a token of appreciation for the role marketer’s play which includes business promotion.

He also stressed that the donation is centered around creation as well as foster partnership between marketers and Airtel Malawi’s products like Airtel money.

“Without marketers, there would not be anything competitive process of creating customer interest in goods or indeed services.” He said 

Added Maseketsa, “Without marketers there would not be any channel to build strong customer relationships and create value for customers and individual service or goods providers” 

The Airtel Money country Director, further noted that this year’s CIM conference deserve support from Airtel because marketers will use their conference to market some of Malawi’s potential areas for investment. He said that is in line with key fundamentals that Airtel Malawi promotes through its range of services for the growth of Malawi’s economy.

Matseketsa added that the CIM conference is significant as it will bring together different marketers to deliberate on issues that advocate for the sanity, integrity and promotion of the dynamic marketing profession. 

Moto (right) Matseketsa (left)

CIM Malawi chapter director, Francis Moto, says the money will go a long way in assisting the September conference. He also said CIM plans to build a class room block in Mangochi as its corporate social responsibility.

MAREP Phase 8 Meets Requests From Legislatures

• The project began in 1980s to promote economic activities for rural trading centres 

• MAREP 8 Target to electrify 81 Trading Centre’s and dditional 60 Centre’s For Step Down Transformers

Hon Msaka

The Malawi Rural Electrification Project (MAREP) phase 8 begins later this year, Government says areas prioritized for electrification includes those that were requested by members of parliament and local contractors will implement the project.

Phase 8 ending in December, 2016 targets a total of 81 trading centre’s, three rural trading centre’s per each district (Know target areas here and full statement)

Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining, Hon Bright Msaka told news conference in Lilongwe on Thursday that approximately 60 to 70 trading centre’s passed through by the power lines will also get Step Down Transformers.

The total project cost is estimated to K12.1billion against K8.3 billion for MAREP 7.

“In my responses to requests from Members of Parliament, I have been telling them that their requested sites were either already planned to be implemented in this Phase 8 or are in the MAREP Master Plan, ready for implementation in later phases.” said hon Msaka

“I would like to assure that this phase, will answer most requests from members of parliament. But many others will have their requests answered in upcoming phase” he assured

The Natural Resources, Energy, and Mining Minister explained that criteria used to identify the beneficiary trading centre’s was robust and from Rural Electrification Master Plan.

He also said the criteria further took cognizant of district’s; size and population, rate of electrification and number of trading centre’s demanding for electricity.

“Every centre that is within the 81 centre’s under MAREP phase 8, there is no dispute whatsoever that the merit and deserve to be electrified. And therefore the selection process is both robust and sacrosanct.” He said

Additionally, Hon Bright Msaka indicated, 60 to 70 trading centre’s will benefit from Step Down Transformer programme. He said this shall mean, each district will have two more trading centre’s electrified.

He said consultations are being done to identify those step down trading centre’s and assured that similar robust identification process will be done.

Among other considerations, he clarified “These 60 to 70 drop down centre’s, will not be on the basis of the equality per district but, will be on the demand and equity depending upon the size of the population per district”

Hon Msaka further mentioned that local contractors will be engaged to implement the project because they have achieved efficiency in previous phases. He added that materials will also be procured locally.

MAREP began in 1980s with an aim of promoting economic activities in rural areas. However, demographic, geographic and economic disparities pose a huge challenge to the successful implementation of the programme.

Malawi is failing to meet its growing demand for electricity because currently it has installed capacity of 351.75 Mega Watts against the demand of 800 Mega Watts. The country’s electricity rural penetration is at 2 percent while the national average is 9 percent.

But Msaka said Malawi is determined to meet SADC region average of 39 percent in 5 years time and that Government is committed to increase electricity capacity through involvement of Independent Power Producers (IPPs) who will generate electricity and inject it into the national grid through Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with ESCOM.

Know target areas here and full statement)

109 CSOs Demand Justice On Al-Bashir Arrest Foil In South Africa

Over one hundred Civil Society groups asks Courts of South Africa to establish accountability and the government to investigate circumstances that allowed Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir leave the country in defiance of Pretoria Court order of his arrest.

President al-Bashir wanted by International Criminal Court (ICC) was in South Africa from 13-15 June for an African Union Summit. 

The 71 year old Sudanese President flown home from South Africa in defiance of Court order that he stay to face arrest.

South African Government, party to the Rome Statute of the (ICC) was required to facilitate the arrest and surrender President al-Bashir to The Hague for charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with the conflict in Darfur.

Failure to arrest al-Bashir worries 109 civil society groups, from across the globe, working on international criminal justice and human rights.

They have expressed “deep disappointment” with the actions of South African officials in allowing Sudanese President, to depart the country in defiance of a court order and South Africa’s international legal obligations.

“We noted with deep concern reports that rather than arresting President al-Bashir, South African officials apparently allowed him to leave the country in direct defiance of the order by the Pretoria High Court.” Reads the Declaration dated 11th July 2015 signed by 109 CSO groups Read full Declaration

“The actions pose serious consequences for the independence of the judiciary in South Africa and demonstrate a flagrant lack of respect for the rule of law and the rights of Darfur’s victims to have access to justice.

Adds the letter; “South Africa’s domestication of the Rome Statute of the ICC makes the government’s failure to arrest President Omar al-Bashir a contravention of domestic law as well.” 

From Malawi, five CSOs have signed the Declaration including Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) and Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP)

Gift Trapence

“We are all saying that South Africa Government should comply to the international human rights standards. If they are party to international agreements they have to respect those agreements” said Gift Trapence Executive Director for CEDEP

“These international instruments that countries are party to, have no borders and human rights issues these are universal, there is no border in terms of application.” He said “This is why as civil society we are raising this issue at both local and global level.”

Trapence emphasized that this Declaration also sends message to all countries to comply to international human rights instruments.

“Whenever countries are party to international human rights instruments they need to comply” He said 

“The instruments of the laws that we have, should not be applied selectively. We have to make sure that even African governments are able to comply with those international human rights mechanisms and in this case it is Rome Statutes.” He added “And we are also urging even Malawi to be exemplary to comply and ratify human rights instruments that it hasn’t ratified.” 

Trapence also urged African governments to stop giving immunity to the sitting presidents who commits atrocities against its citizens and that African Union should also look at this problem.

Among others, the Declaration signed by 109 CSOs, call on the Assembly of States Parties of the ICC to take appropriate action to address non-compliance by South Africa and other States who breach their obligations of cooperation and assistance under the ICC Statute. 

It further demands all responsible to be brought to prompt justice, including for contempt of court. Read full Declaration