Cashgate Case: Katengeza Gets 5 Year Jail Sentence, Tells Judge 'Just Kill Me'

Relatives shielding her from Journalists 

Angela Katengeza les but all that ended when Justice Fiona Mwale punished her with 5 year jail sentence.

In protest of the judges’ custodial sentence immediately after hearing the judgment, Katengeza reacted by shouting "Just kill me, just kill me” and continued “God of Joseph, God of Isaac, what have I done!" and began to cry uncontrollably.

Arrival at the court where she was allowing
Journalists to take her pictures 

On 14th March 2016, Katengeza was convicted and found guilty of Money Laundering contrary to Section 35 (1)(c) of Money Laundering, Proceeds of Serious Crime and Terrorism Financing Act. She was originally charged alongside with her son Gordon Hamdani who was acquitted after the state discontinued case against him and Leonard Kalonga who was discharged after he separately pleaded guilty to various offensesrom the case, after state had paraded four witnesses.

Katengeza was answering to money laundering of K105 million a crime that was committed in 2013 when she had lend out her Faith Construction company certificate to another cashgate convict Leonard Kalonga former Deputy Director for then, Ministry of Tourism.

According to Katengeza, that time Kalonga wanted to use her company certificate with bank accounts to bid construction tenders that were available at the Ministry but could not use his own certificates because of employment policies.   

After giving the certificate to Kalonga, her bank account began to receive payments from Government which accumulated to a total of K105 million and Katengeza admitted that she in separate occasions began to withdraw the money and hand delivered to Kalonga. 

In all these dealings, however, Katengeza disclosed that she only received K3 million covering renewal fee of her company certificate and costs of transport and airtime during the process of withdrawing and handing over the money to Kalonga. 

She was promised 10 percent commission at the end of the deal but that did not happen because the cashgate scandal investigations began much earlier before the deal was over.

Katengenza has throughout the trial maintained no guilty plea citing that Kalonga used her to defraud Government and that she was not part of the Government officers who masterminded the cashgate.

Family members crying outside court

 

Money Laundering attracts maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and fine of K2 million.

Announcing the verdict, Justice Fiona Mwale indicated that six years of imprisonment matches actual level of her benefit and margin of her mitigating factor in the commission of the offense.

But said; “I do however recognize her age and her heart condition and I deduct one year from that sentence.” then continued “The convict is therefore to serve 5 years imprisonment in the offense of money laundering” 

Immediately, Katengeza shouted; “Just kill me, I don’t have to bear such hard life again”, as she continued to shout the judge also continued to deliver the judgment of which is allowing the convict the right to lodge an appeal.

Family members also joined in with cries followed by loud murmuring in the public gallery side showing their disapproval of such a lengthy sentence. The murmuring were so loud in the courtroom making the end part of the judgment that the Justice Mwale was still presenting to be inaudible.

Earlier, the judge said suspended sentence was not suitable in this particular case considering various reasons she highlighted in her verdict that includes the negative economic impact cashgate brought to the country.

Justice Mwale in her verdict refused to take into consideration some of mitigating factors that were presented by defense during sentencing submissions. Among the factors include; cooperation, good character, length of the trial which has taken three years, on remorse since she refused to admit her responsibility of theft by maintaining no guilty plea, failure to make restitution and on the K3 million amount that she benefited out of K105 million.

But on K3 million benefits, the judge argued that although Katengeza got K3 million from K105 million she benefited from the proceeds and that she never made restitution. Justice Mwale futher mentioned that still the convicts actions of lending out her company certificate to Leonard Kalonga helped to facilitate the laundering of Government money that “could have been utilized at material time towards realization of the national budget.”

“What is relevant at this time is that she facilitated the theft of K105 million… I find that as a serious crime.” insisted the Judge adding “K3 million is still substantial amount of money” 

“The sum laundered is however, one that is quite high, as I alluded earlier and I keep reiterating that K105 million nine hundred and eighty three thousand is quite high.” She said and further counter argued defense position by saying “In money laundering charges, it is the sum that has been laundered” matters most

The judge also noted with concern failure by state to highlight impact of cashgate during their sentencing submissions.

Outside the court, Katengeza was crying and continued to shout "I don't deserve this life anymore!" 

Katengeza arrival 

Now 55 year old Katengeza was a theological college student and Area 47 block leader when the theft was happening and was consecrated as Eleventh Hour church pastor in 2014 upon completion of her first degree in theology. 

Defense submitted that Katengeza who is a first offender and a person of good character was a very active person in church ministry and her arrest came when she was about to open a church branch in Mtsiriza.

Her Faith Construction operated for a period of 5 years and it was common among construction companies to borrow from each others company certificate.

Water Should Be A 'Right' In Malawi -CSR, Tearfund

Making water a ‘right’ will make Malawi achieve the goal of allowing citizens enjoy full access to clean and safe water says Centre for Social Research (CSR) and Tearfund.

The two institutions through the Climate Justice project funded by Scottish Government are highlighting challenges that the country continues to face in the water sector due to absence of legislation that can form basis for stakeholders in the sector to hold Government accountable on provision of water to every corner of the country.

“In the two projects that we are working on it’s very clear that the water sector is not doing very well.” observes CSR Deputy Director, Prof. Blessings Chinsinga

“One of the reasons that we found is that water is not designated as a right, as a result the stakeholders that are active in this sector do not have a firm basis to hold the Government accountable.” He said

Painting the picture of the water situation in the country, Chinsinga indicated that on paper, Malawi's water coverage is 84 percent but on the ground, water access is far much lower estimated to be between 50 to 60 percent. He said this is the case because most existing water facilities like boreholes that were drilled in the villages are not functional.

“At any given time we have only about 30 to 50 percent of these water facilities functioning.” noted Chinsinga adding that this is clear indication that there is a big problem in the water sector

He narrated that in some areas people particularly women are forced to walk more than two kilometers to fetch clean water from boreholes while some gets water from unprotected sources mostly from rivers and wells.

He then challenged that the problem of access to water will remain, unless, water is recognized as a right.

“Therefore we feel that if water was to be legislated as a right then maybe, Government would in a special way be forced to make sure that performance in the water sector is improved through adequate funding.” He emphasized

The CSR and Tearfund have embarked on policy dialogue on the basis of projects they are implementing within the framework of Climate Justice with purpose of engaging with and stimulate debate among key stakeholders on water as a ‘right.’

Recently, the two institutions had a policy dialogue with Members of Parliament (MPs) with ultimate goal of creating a critical mass of MPs so as to forge a long term partnership with CSR and Tearfund to popularize the Climate Justice perspective to dealing with issues of quality water access and climate change issues in Malawi. 

During the engagement, Prof. Chinsinga urged legislators to consider enforcing the existing pieces of policies and legislation on water including the policy commitment by Government that it will provide water within 500 meter radius.

2016-2017 Budget: This is IMF Budget - MCP

Goodall Gondwe: Finance Minister 

The K1.136 Trillion Budget presented on Friday for the 2016/17 fiscal year has been described as “IMF budget” and “unrealistic” for how Malawi has projected to raise its domestic resources.

Total revenue and grants are estimated at K965.2 billion where 80.3% of this will be domestically generated while 19.7 percent will represent donor grants.

Malawi Congress Party spokesperson on finance in National Assembly, Alexander Kusamba Dzonzi reacted that Malawians will suffer much through tax revenues as the budget intends to raise 80.3% using domestic resources while as Peoples Party (PP) spokesperson on finance, Ralph Jooma described this years budget as Unrealistic and feared that the budget will be marred with excessive borrowing.

Dzonzi said this will result into real hardships among Malawians and predicted possible high interest rates in commercial banks that will scare entrepreneurs from borrowing there by reducing their production and affect the economy. 

2016-2017 Budget: Estimates At K1.136 Trillion

Minister of Finance and Economic Planning has told National Assembly that this 2016-2017 Financial Year Government will spent a total amount of K1, 136.4 billion (One Trillion, One Hundred and Thirty Six Billion point Four)

This total expenditure and net lending during this year represents 26.1 percent of nominal GDP.

It also represents an increase of 23.9 percent over the 2015-2016 revised expenditure of K902.3 billion.

Among others this budget will allocate K198.5 Billion to the Ministry of Agriculture, which is the highest allocation of resources for this year, and K147.6 Billion for Ministry of Education and K9.8 Billion for the Ministry of Health.

This large allocation to Agriculture comes at a time when the Government has resolved to intensify irrigation farming in order to transform the economy from the excessive dependence on rain-fed agriculture, as a lasting solution to the challenge of climate change.

"The move will also increase the number of harvests per year to more than the current single harvest. This could substantially increase the country’s rate of economic growth." indicated Gondwe

He mentioned that the large scale farming will be intensified through Green Belt Initiative and that Government has decided to formally establish the Greenbelt Authority (GBA) as a stand-alone public agency.

"The authority will be the official agent for the construction of these largescale irrigation infrastructural projects throughout the country in line with the Government’s Irrigation Masterplan, while small-scale irrigation projects will continue to be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development." He said

"Accordingly, the Treasury has established Vote 078 to allocate resources for the administrative and operational expenses of the authority with immediate effect. This will be part of the 2016/17 budget. The large-scale irrigation infrastructure projects will be part of the Government’s development programme." He assured

Of the projected K1.136 trillion, recurrent expenditure will be MK815.5 billion or 18.7 percent of GDP, which is higher than the 2015/16 allocation by 16.8 percent.

According to Gondwe, the Development expenditure will increase by 57.0 percent from MK217.5 billion to MK317.4 billion, or 7.3 percent of GDP.

"Up to K279.8 billion or 82.2 percent of the development budget will be provided by development partners through loans and grants, while local resources will account for the balance of K37.6 billion or 11.8 percent. Therefore, the donor contribution to the development programme is anticipated to increase by 62.0 percent relative to 2015/16." He said

The total revenue and grants during the 2016/17 fiscal year are estimated at K965.2 billion or 22.2 percent of nominal GDP.

Of this amount, some K708.8billion will be tax revenue, K66.0 billion will be non-tax revenue, while K190.4billion will be grants from Malawi's cooperating partners.

"Thus, MK774.8 billion or 80.3 percent of these resources will be domestically generated, while the remaining 19.7 percent will represent donor grants. " he said the Finance Minister

He went on "Compared with the 2015/16 revised budget, tax revenues are projected to increase by 21.8 percent, reflecting the fact that nominal GDP, which is the base for most of the taxes, will grow by 24.0 percent. Tax on income and profits will account for 55.4 percent of total tax revenue, while tax on goods and services will generate 37.2 percent." He said but noted that non-tax revenue is shown to be lower relative to the 2015/16 revised budget estimate of K71.9 billion.

Gondwe mentioned that three key factors and priorities were taken into account when preparing the 2016-2017 budget.

He named the key considerations as putting reflection of agreement between Government and IMF within the context of seventh and eighth reviews of Extended Credit Facility arrangement; assumptions that macroeconomic outlook for the next financial year, where the real GDP growth is projected at 5.1 percent while nominal GDP will grow by 24.0 percent and that the average inflation rate in 2016/17 is projected reach 17.4

The other key consideration was that based on the Government’s short and medium-term policy priorities which are motivated by the objective of ensuring that the country maintains a program with the IMF, while addressing some pressing socio-economic challenges.

On maintaining IMF programme and addressing socio-economic problems, Gondwe therefore indicated that the budget seeks to increase domestic resource mobilization; make available adequate resources for maize procurement, and to support irrigation farming; to ensure that the wage bill is maintained below 7 percent of nominal GDP; and to ensure that resource allocations to the health, education and other critical social sectors remain adequate and a significant proportion of the budget.

2016-2017 Budget: K35.5 Billion For Food Purchase

Government has announced that the 2016/2017 Budget has allocated K35. 5 billion for the purchase of food response.

Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Goodall Gondwe has announced today when presenting the 2016/2017 Budget estimates.

"Of this amount, MK6.0 billion is in support of the winter cropping initiative to purchase maize from large scale farmers through contract farming." He indicated  

"The total allocation for maize procurement is additional be pleased to note that development partners cooperating under the Multi-Donor Trust Fund in Agriculture have indicated that they may provide additional resources specifically in support of winter cropping." Said Gondwe

He said ADMARC is also purchasing local maize for immediate sales with support provided through Government guarantees for ADMARC to borrow from commercial banks to purchase food for sales to the public.

Hon. Gondwe mentioned that the U.K. and the ADB already pledged their support in response to President Peter Mutharika's disaster call and that United States Government has already pledged support amounting to about US$63 million for humanitarian food assistance, which will be managed by the World Food Program (WFP). In addition he said the ADB has also pledged US$18 million.

He said other support for food crisis will come from Chinese Government who pledged over US$9 million and from the Japanese Government of US$7 million.

But he noted that the IMF has also provided support amounting to US$49 million through the Augmentation of Access facility, which allows the Government to borrow more money from the Reserve Bank of Malawi specifically for this purpose. He added that the World Bank currently conducting a post disaster needs assessment in the country, to determine their level of support through the Crisis Response Window facility a facility that was used by the World Bank to provide support amounting to US$80 million in response to the flood disaster of 2014/15.

Gondewe also mentioned that through resource support from European Union and the World Bank, each district has been allocated with K500 million in this financial year towards Public Works Programme in order to boost rural income among smallholder farmers in rural areas to enable the buy food. He noted that it is clear that people in rural areas have had drastically reduced agricultural production due to the drought, and that their incomes have also been reduced.

The second round crop estimates recently released by the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development showed that maize production during the 2015/16 growing season has declined by an estimated 12.4 percent relative to production in 2014/15. 

Maize production has been estimated at 2.4 million metric tons. It is estimated that the country requires an additional 790,000 metric tons of relief food to support an estimated 8.4 million people. An additional 250,000 metric tons is required for sale in ADMARC markets, while another 250,000 metric tons is required to restock the strategic grain reserves.

Get 2016-2017 Budget Statement here 

Khumbo Asks Chaponda To Have Listening Ear

Former Vice President and Member of Parliament for Mzimba South West, Khumbo Kachali has asked Government Ministers to listen to constructive views being suggested by some opposition legislators in ongoing National Assembly Meeting.

Kachali was reacting to Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development George Chaponda's outburst when Chitipa North legislator James Munthali said the agriculture minister has failed in his duties for not starting now the implementation of some of the measures that the ministry has put in place to avert hunger.

The former Agriculture Minister Hon James Munthali member for Chitipa North asked why Government has not started distribution of Treadle pumps, seeds and fertilizers now to avert hunger other than to wait, because the water is still available so that people can start to utilize this.

George Chaponda, Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development also Leader of House responded with rants  by outburstly reminded Munthali that he as former agriculture minister failed during his time to rescue Malawians from hunger situation and that even maize rotten at National Food Reserve Agency when Malawians were facing hunger.

Mzimba South West Legislator, former Vice President, Khumbo Hastings Kachali who took the floor on point of order asked Chaponda to listen to views and not being political.

“So, it was unfortunate for the sitting Minister of Agriculture instead of taking note of the friendly advice he actually was saying no, why couldn’t you do it when you were in Government." noted Kachali in an interview 

"My concern was, we in opposition we have to give constructive ideas. And this was an idea from former minister of Agriculture. Instead of taking note and going back to the drawing board and say yes indeed we are late. But the sitting minister of agriculture is talking politics.” lamented Kachali

So, he said "that is what made me to stand up and say no, Government is a continuous process, and the challenges that we are facing now they are not only challenges for those members that are in the Government but for Malawians that is both in Government and in opposition."

He continued "Malawians are suffering; this time around there is no food, so we all have to bang our heads and find solution and here is an advice a solution let us start now. So my humble request is Government should also listen when opposition members are giving advice.”

He then hoped that his fellow cabinet ministers should advise Dr. Chaponda to have a listening ear and begin to take advices.

House Wants Death Penalty To Curb Albino Killings

As ugly waves of attacks and killings of persons with albinism continues in Malawi, it now seem the option left to curb the problem is tit-for tat as a lot of Legislators in the ongoing Meeting of National Assembly wants Malawi to use death penalty as protection of albinos.

Death penalty is currently not used as punishment in the country due to human rights campaigns to end death penalty.

Contrary to growing campaigns against death penalty, a good number of legislators who took the floor on the debate on State of National Address today have expressed their support that death penalty must fall upon the convicted persons involved in attacks and killings of persons with albinism.

Legislators who commented on this have suggested 'the eye- for- an eye' approach for the fact tthat regardless of number of efforts to end the situation seem not to work.

For example, a 38 year old man with albinism was horribly murdered on Tuesday while alone in his garden in Ntcheu district. The mmurderers chopped off his legs, hands and private parts.

One of the Parliamentarian, a Mulanje South legislator, Bon Kalindo joined members who spoke earlier to express support for death penalty and warned that if the debate on albino attacks will fail to come on Friday he will walk out of the House in protest adding that there will be chaos.

"We need to come up with the debate on death penalty." He said "If death penalty does not come tomorrow in this House I will walk out of this House"

He continued "To morrow be the day to make change! To make our persons with albinism walk freely in this country!" He said warning that "If that issue will not come to morrow, and If i will walk out you know what will happen, people will follow me and there will be chaos"

Kalindo agreed with fellow parliamentarians by emphasizing that people killing albinos are being inhuman and persons with albinism must walk free in this country.  

The House which is continuing debate on State of National Address by President Peter Mutharika was on Thursday informed that due to urgency of the albino killings, the Business Committee had agreed that this Friday the House should debate on albino killings which is being described as "National crisis"

Among other things, Hon Kalindo also commended the recent move by Government to deploy Malawi Defense Force to give protection to Mulanje Mountain. He said this will help to protect valuable natural resources found in that mountain but have been neglected for a long time.

"This will make that place a non-go zone" he said "anthu atibulidwako kumeneko"

But he observed that for the deployment of the Army to be effective therefore the group which is currently working to protect the mountain 'Mulanje Conservation Trust' should be forced to pack up and go.

"Those guys have destroyed the natural resources in Mulanje mountain" he added

Malawi Traditional Healers Denies Participating In Albino Attacks

Frank Manyowa

The umbrella body Organization of traditional healers in Malawi suspects foreign immigrants claiming to be traditional healers as being those fueling attacks and killings of people with albinism in the country.

Fingers are pointing at traditional healers for being ones tricking people that body parts of an albino can bring fortune such as wealth.

But Frank Manyowa, President for the Traditional Healers Association of Malawi has cleared Malawian herbalist from the rumours saying  they do not have a hand in these ugly violence.

Manyowa said the group had recently met to hunt for possible perpetrators among their circles following the allegations that it is them perpetrating attacks of persons with albinism. But he said they did not identify Malawian herbalist perpetrating this and therefore concluded that the perpetrators are foreigners who came into the country and claim to be traditional healers.

“We have observed that this is a strange practice and we have never had this situation before in the country.” He noted

“We have noted that with recent influx of foreigners particularly those that are claiming to be traditional healers coming from various countries including Tanzania are possibly ones who have brought this." He said, and explained "Because we have learnt that a number of Traditional Healers have fled from Tanzania into Malawi because of tough regulations there”

While distancing themselves by stressing that Malawi traditional healers are clean from these evil he described these killings as "witchcraft rituals" which he said they don’t condone and condemn in strongest terms. 

The traditional healers president indicated that their grouping is guided by code of conduct which does not allow any of their member to practice magic and drawing distinction between real traditional healer and sham traditional healers, he said real traditional healers only provide herbs and medicine to heal specific illnesses while the fake ones claim to multiply money and do all sorts of magic just to steal from people. 

He disclosed that their association has resolved to register all traditional healers and that those who may shun the excercise will never be allowed to practice their medicine in the country.

“From today, I would like to announce that we will not allow any traditional healer to make adverts on radio without our approval” announced Manyowa who expressed his disappointed that the issue of albino attacks has badly affected thier businesses

He further asked Courts to give life sentences to culprits found guilty in these attacks and hinted that they will be conducting sensitization across the country to stop people from believing false rumours that albino body parts can bring wealth.

Ministry of Justice Response To Albino Killings

Meanwhile, Neverson Chisiza a Senior State Advocate in the Ministry of Justice and Prosecutor for the cases of albino said the ministry is revisiting the operations of the Traditional Healers to ensure that they meet standards. 

He among other things mentioned that the ministry has placed focus on the cases of albino attacks and killings and that “This matter has been given seriousness it deserve” 

He disclosed that for immediate solutions on sentencing, his office has already sent some proposed provisions that are calling for stiffer sentences to Solicitor General  which include capital punishment for being found in possession with fresh body parts and bones while for exhumation of bones is the proposed sentence is “not less than life imprisonment”

Chisiza mentioned also that the ministry of Justice is in the process of reviewing some laws such as Anatomy Act, to ensure that courts are handing stiffer sentences to culprits, letting all cases involving albinism be handled by professional magistrates and that the Ministry is also working on handbook that have all provisions for the charges to do with attacks on persons with albinism to guide prosecution in such cases.

As some are continuing with attacks and killings of persons with albinism, police have said they have established that there are no markets for body parts or bones of persons with albinism as it is alleged.

Stan Kaliza, a Senior Deputy Commissioner of Police at Police Headquarters said all culprits who have been arrested so far, have confessed that the time of their arrests they were stranded walking around with albino bones and body parts for they had no clue of where to sell the parts.

“The culprits caught so far have told police that they killed an albino or exhumed their bones just because they heard rumors that having those parts is a hot business, so they were just walking around with the body parts. There is no market all and this is just completely unfounded rumours.” He said 

Albino Grouping Urge Parliament To Allocate Resources, Review Necessary Laws For Fight Against Albino Killings

Bonface Massah

Association of Persons with Albinism in Malawi (APAM) stresses that the ongoing Budget Meeting of the National Assembly should allocate resources for the fight against dreadful attacks and killings of persons with albinism.

President for the association, Bonface Massah said resources are needed to fight the criminals who are adept in the attacks and added that relevant legislations also be reviewed in this Meeting of National Assembly to support the prosecution of cases of albino attacks.

Massah was speaking at the press briefing in Lilongwe on Wednesday, when the National Technical Committee on Abuse of Persons with Albinism in Malawi chaired by Dr. Hetherwick Ntaba was providing details of progress and action plan for response to the abductions, killings and exhumation of the remains of persons with albinism.

He warned that if the Parliamentarians will spend time in the House without addressing the problem then “They are killing us”

He stressed that the response to the problem should not only be the word of mouth but with resources and that “Investigations must be urgent” as well.

On Tuesday, Malawi has recorded a fresh brutal murder in Ntcheu district of a male albino aged 38 who has been identified by police as Fletcher Masina picture found here He was attacked while in his garden and attackers chopped off his arms, legs and private parts.

Referring to this case, Massah said even him as person championing the rights of persons with albinism is not safe and that without concrete efforts to curb the situation, persons with albinism will all die. 

He also called for speedy prosecution involving albino attacks.

Later in an interview, Massah said “Government has accepted that this is a crisis and that is why we are calling Parliament to also address this with a crisis response. Normally parliament has mandate to allocate resources when we have crisis or disasters in our country and this is one clear a crisis that we are experiencing in Malawi that needs urgent attention by our parliament.” 

He said adequate budgetary allocation should be channeled to the Ministry of Health in order to address the health needs of people with albinism, to Ministry of Home Affairs for Police investigations and police trainings on how to tackle the problem.

“Parliament must ensure that each budget that they are passing this year must have clear response to our needs and even setting aside special funds that will really respond to the current crisis that we are experiencing like to deal with altitudes and special needs that people with albinism have.” He stressed

He also explained that apart from resources, people with albinism wants the House to review weak laws that Malawians have been highlighting as one of the contributing factor to the lighter sentences that courts have been handing to convicted criminals. 

“That is also a key role that Parliament must play to support the response that has been taken by various stakeholders.” He emphasized

Technical Committee’s Work Progress

Ntaba

Chairperson for the Committee, Hetherwick Ntaba announced that short term actions have been identified by his committee and there is progress in terms of implementation.

“The mapping exercise to identify the population of person with albinism across the country for targeted interventions has started and is being coordinated by the Ministry of Local Government. The ministry will involve the TAs (Traditional Authorities), Group Village Heads and Village Heads in this task” disclosed Ntaba expressing hope that this will make it possible to reach many of the persons with albinism 

He outlined that there will be continued awareness campaigns on albinism issues to stop attacks, speedy investigations and prosecutions of criminal suspects, investigative and intelligence research to establish loot cause of attacks, regulation of traditional healers since the attacks are allegedly perpetrated by myth that body parts of albinos can bring fortunes when used in magic.

On health related needs for persons with albinism Ntaba said the Ministry of Health shall provide sunscreen lotions, supply of protective clothing including hats and sunglasses to persons with albinism. 

“They will also alert their clinicians to look out for possible skin cancer complications in patients with albinism at the clinics” he added

Mr. Ntaba further mentioned that Ministry of Education will also put into Boarding Schools with appropriate security arrangements all children who are failing to go to school for fear of being attacked.

Ntaba also hinted that there are mid- and long-term plans lined up for implementation and would like to have the National Response Plan on attacks of persons with albinism fully implemented. He mentioned that the plan will among other things trainings for magistrates, police prosecutors and investigators, and address health needs for the persons with albinism.

Ntaba also noted that although the committee does not have resources, a lot can be done without finances because this is a human issue that requires collect efforts by being each brother’s keeper. However, he said resources are necessary but “let not lack of resources stop us from protecting persons with albinism”

Persons with albinism in Malawi are being attacked, killed and even their remains exhumed due to the disbelief that their body parts can grant benefits such as wealth. 

On 5th May 2016, President Peter Mutharika instituted the National Technical Committee on Abuse of Persons with Albinism in Malawi with mandate of discussing and reach agreements with all stakeholders and oversee implementation of agreements, initiatives and strategies with an aim of ending increased and gross violation of human rights of persons with albinism. 

The multi-sectoral committee comprises institution such as Office of President and Cabinet, Line Ministries of Information, Gender, Justice, Health, Home Affairs, Local Government and Education. It also included Malawi Police Service, the Judiciary, The Association of People with Albinism, Association of Traditional Healers, and Citizens Alliance representing civil society organizations in Malawi. There are also stakeholders from the donor community.

Win K5 million In Airtel Malawi Tayale Tayale Promo

Francis Matseketsa

Airtel Malawi has unveiled yet another exciting promotion dubbed Tayale- Tayale promotion.

The promotion which will run for a period of three months, ending in August, 2016 this an Airtel Money’s mobile money portfolio and that one lucky customer will at the end of the promotion win a grand prize of a whooping K5 million preluded by 2 lucky subscribers who each month will win K1 million each.

When unveiling the promotion in Lilongwe, Airtel Money Country Director Francis Matseketsa said Tayale-Tayale promotion is Airtel’s mission to innovate, grow and continue being the people’s brands of choice.

Matseketsa said through this promotion

“We are encouraging customers to come on board to Airtel money and also come out of pillow and mattress kind of banking and use their mobile phones to transact as banking in their pocket.”

He therefore encouraged Airtel customers who are not yet on Airtel Mobile Money to get registered and start transact and win the prizes in the promotion.

The promotion will run until August 31, 2016 and the company is giving away a total prize money worth K25 million.

Mr. Matseketsa indicated that on daily basis, 100 people will win K2 thousand each throughout the period of promotion and that these daily winners will be determined by selecting the first 10 customers who pay bills on Airtel Money every hour between 8 am and 6 pm every day.

In terms of eligibility for the competition, he said only Airtel Money registered customers who transact on Airtel Money via bill payments, grocery purchases or sending money to family and friends within Malawi with minimum transaction amount of K2 thousand will qualify to enter the promotion.

“Customers will also be able to check their numbers of entry by dialing *727#” He said adding that draws will be conducted at the end of every month.

Don't Just "Be At The Receiving End"- Chakwera

Lazarus Chakwera titled his speech
'Dzukani A Malawi'

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) President and Leader of Opposition in Parliament has said it all why he is calling Malawians to Rise Up.

Chakwera says time to be a mare listener of leaders is over and Malawians should begin to have a say in issues happening in the country for the country to move forward.

He was speaking in an interview to highlight more on the meaning behind naming of his speech, Dzukani A Malawi, a response to State of National Address.

MCP leader, also said the ongoing exercise by Legal Affairs Committee of enhancing the Standing Orders to incorporate Constitutional provision which requires the President to take questions from legislators immediately after delivering State of National Address, will be a significant step of making Presidents answerable to Malawians.

“Malawians its high time to take the responsibility over the decisions we make. Its not right to just be at the receiving end of those we think they know more than we do." cautions Chakwera

"Every Malawian has a right to have a say in what happens in this country." He said 

He sadly observed that Malawi has developed a community and society where "we think" certain intellectuals or certain experts or certain leaders which includes politicians can say something and then "we say, Oh! father is always right, when in fact majority of our people have never been quotientised and educated enough to be able to make decisions that will make this country move forward." 

"We cannot have a large population in the rural areas depending on elite that continues to swindle them by prosing them Heaven when actually they live in Hell.” He said

Asked if he is sticking to his question to President which he reserved last Meeting of National Assembly until President Mutharika finds time to come to Parliament, he responded, “This is a constitutional issue. It has nothing to do whether I ask questions or not so other people might want to ask questions like we did. 

But when these standing orders are in place and we know the modalities that could be used in order for us to have the Head of Government then we will see how to proceed.”

PP Wants House To Approve Appointees Dismisals

Uladi

Peoples Party (PP) says Parliament must approve dismissal of all officers serving in positions that require Parliament approval when appointed by Presidet, in order to protect them from politically motivated firings.

The comment comes from the wake of President Mutharika’s statement that some officers in foreign missions will be recalled and replaced by new ones.

President Peter Mutharika in his state of Nation Address informed the House that during the 2016/17 fiscal year, Government plans to rationalize its foreign missions in order to make them lean and efficient with the right numbers of personnel with requisite competences. He then mentioned that Government will also recall individuals who, in some cases have stayed in these missions for up to 10 or 15 years.

However, PP acting President Uladi Mussa reacted that this is very unfortunate because Government wants to replace officers with their own party supporters or relatives.

“Mr. Speaker Sir, we in the PP continue to wonder whether it is necessary to recall everybody from our various embassies outside, just because we want to replace them with relatives of DPP supporters.” he said when presenting PP's response to the State of Nation Address

“It is very unfortunate, Malawi is one Mr. Speaker Sir. Malawi is one." He repeated "And no culture and no tribe is superior to another culture and tribe in this country.”

Later in an interview said this is a tendency which is costing Government alot of money and it must stop.

Mussa then suggested that the Parliamentary Committee on Appointment needs to check on this issue and must have a say whenever the Ambassadors and High Commissioners are being recalled.

“We need to find out” he said “because we are only interested in entry point but when they are exiting parliament has shown lack of interest.” he observed

“Even other appointments of positions like Inspector General of Police. They are approved here but when it comes to firing we seem not to be concerned so these are issue that we need to look at. We have to consider both hiring and firing”

Legislatures Wants Pres. Mutharika Back To House To Take Questions

Kamlepo

Some legislatures on Monday vent their anger out to Speaker, Richard Msowoya for letting President Peter Mutharika leave the Parliament Chamber without taking questions from members.

Legislatures argued that it is constitution requirement that after president present State of Nation Address, members are supposed to put questions to president which was not the case on Friday last week.

However, Speaker, Richard Msowoya clarified that the Business Committee agreed and resolved that such requirement will be practiced in the House once Committee on Legal Affairs consolidate the provision into the Parliamentary Standing Orders.

He further informed the House that his office has requested the Legal Affairs Committee to act quickly in coming up with the provision into the Standing Orders.

Rumphi East Legislature, Kamlepo Kalua was the first to ask the Speaker why Mutharika walked out freely without being asked on several issues after delivering his State of National Address.

Uladi Mussa Acting President and Leader of PP in Parliament stood to confirm to the House that indeed him as PP leader who was in the Business Committee agreed with the rest of members of the Committee and made it clear that the member [Kamlepo] who is also from PP was informed about this development, however, the member was free to ask because by Constitution the member "is entiled to his own opinion”

Rising for the second time on Point of Order, Rumphi East, Kamlepo Kalua noted that he had earlier on advanced on the constitutional issue and that the Speaker made clarification. But he said looking at the supremacy of the Constitution and “uniqueness of our Constitution” he feel that the constitution cannot be substituted by any act of law or standing order of anything.

Quoting section 5 of Constitution Kamlepo said “Any Act of Government or any Law that is in consistent with the provision of this constitution shall, to the extent of such in constituency be invalid and for me to be told and to be part of raping the constitution I want to make my case clear that this should be respected and at all cost this should be a driving force of our democracy in this country.”

Responding speaker said himself and not anybody or committee has in any way substituted the constitution in this case “All that is required is that constitutional provisions in way of operationalising this house we do require procedures, and, that come in form of Standing Orders and that is what I explained."

But the Kasungu South East, legislature Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda came in to emphasize that this issue is a constitutional requirement and does not require that the provision should be in the Standing Orders.

Listening to this, Speaker directed members not satisfied with  reponse provided earlier, to consult their party Leaderships who form Business Committee.

“I am in no way protecting the president. I understand it as a constitutional matter. All am saying is if it is the a greement of the House that the President Comes here as provided for in the Constitution let us agree on the modalities of how that happens.  I have no problem.” said Msowoya

Later in an interview, Kasungu South East, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda quoted section 89, Subsection 3 which outline three things that President shall address Parliament on State of National Address which happened on Friday, then report on policies of the previous year and to respond to questions.

“The President is supposed to do three things and these three things” stressed Kandondo

She said this requirement is not appearing in Parliamentary Standing Orders because it is already provided for in the Constitution which is a supreme document.

She then said issue of following Standing Orders which Committee on Legal Affairs is working on can come in through section 4 which talks about inviting President into the House after resolution of the House.

“But what we are saying now is part of what he [President] was supposed to be doing according to constitution” she said 

“What we are saying basically is, Mr. President you are supposed to do three things, but you have just addressed one of them can he come back and do the rest of them. And that is to articulate on previous polices from previous year and then answer questions. That is all.” emphasized Kandodo

She said the issue will continue 

“We do not have a choice we go by this constitution, this is what guides every Malawian even this House and this House is not above this [constitution] so we will continue reminding each other and definitely this is not the end of the issue.”

PP Tells Govt To Save Albinos Now

Uladi

Peoples Party (PP) says plans set by Government to end abductions and killings of people with albinism will begin to bear fruits years after all albinos are killed and called Government to implement immediate plans. 

PP acting President and the party’s leader in Parliament, Uladi Mussa pointed out that plans to train personnel and sending representatives to Tanzania to learn best practices leaves room for criminals to continue with attacks and killings, but registering all albinos and guarding them by community policing will solve the problem.

Mussa was speaking in the National Assembly on Monday evening when responding to State of the National Address delivered by President Peter Mutharika on Friday.

He said this when highlighting number of security issues which he said PP is of the view that the country is in the security breakdown.

“There is complete security breakdown in this country.” He said mentioning the abductions and killings of people with albinism, gruesome robbery killings, rampant cart thefts, mob justice, killings of elderly persons who are suspected of witchcraft, random killings of innocent people, theft of drugs in hospitals and health centers making people feel insecure

“The idea of training of 250 personnel or having case studies in Tanzania, as the President has suggested, will not offer immediate solution to the current plight of people with albinism in the Country.” He noted saying PP view this as “a long term plan whose impact is likely to come long after all people with albinism have all been killed”

“When fire breakout, the immediate solution is not to build a Fire Station but, to stop the fire!” stressed the PP leader

“This being the case, the Peoples Party would like to suggest that total protection be provided forthwith to people with albinism by registering them in all the district assemblies we have in this country and providing them with adequate security either through police officers or community policing.” Mussa said and continued “In this regard I would like to inform the Minister of Home Affairs that in addition to police officers, we can use community policing, so that people can guard them here and there throughout the country but after knowing where they are staying.” He emphasized

PP acting President mentioned that there was need to mention short term plans that may protect the people with albinism and end the killings now.

“What will be happening? Will these criminals wait for that long term plan, because training them going to Tanzania, having case study, will these criminals wait for them? That is why we are saying we need to come up with protective measures.” He wondered later in an interview

Commenting on agriculture and hunger Uladi Mussa said Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Government has not taken the Agriculture sector as a priority particularly because it is failing to allocate more resources to irrigation in order to eradicate hunger in this country.

He even recalled that President Mutharika's address only indicated of providing funds to ADMARC but failed to disclose amount of money allocated to ADMARC for buying food.

He futher mentioned that there are signs of poor Governance and that State of National Address failed to cover key areas that affect ordinary Malawians.

He also called for decisive plans to take Malawi to road to recovery and also take blames and not shifting it to natural calamities all the time and remined the Government that “The longer we dwell on our misfortunes, the greater is the power to harm us.”

Mussa even described the President Speech as “hotchpotch (Nansanganya) of operational reports hurriedly thrown together with no attempt at establishing overall strategic direction or policy linkages across the sectors.”

He among other things said 3 years since the DPP Government was voted into power the problems continue to get out of hand “and our people are angry, bitter and impatient.” He said people want action and not ideas only

“We cannot continue to have a Government that simply joins in to lament together with the people as if it has no tools to normalize the situation.” Said Mussa

Mussa in his remarks said there is no impact to the budgets that the House continue to pass which now for a period of 2 years it amounts to K1.7 trillion (2014/2015 – K760 billion and 2015/2016 – K906 billion).

“Dress Traditional On Friday” Idea Goes To Parliament: Business Committee In Consultations

The President Peter Mutharika’s idea to dress traditional every Friday has now made its way through the National Assmbly doors but it may stay on hold until consultations are finalised and approved.

Speaker, Richard Msowoya announced today that the idea was brought into the recent meeting of Business Committee that legislators should also start to wear local clothes every Friday.

Mutharika made directive during the launch of Best Buy Malawi Strategy that Malawians should start to put on the traditional attire every Friday as one way of promoting local fashion industry.

Mutharika himself, senior Government officials and others in civil service now follows this directive.

Men are allowed to dress this way in Parliament 

Every Friday they will be seen dressing
completely different 

However, this idea may possibly take long to make it into chambers of Parliament because tradition and practice require all Members, male or female, to dress in contemporary business attire that is; male Members wear a jacket, shirt and tie as standard dress.

So this is possibly why the Business Committee has resolved to consult before allowing members to put on African dresses in the House.

“I wish to inform the House that the Business Committee resolved that there was need for the National Assembly to consult further on the matter.” Noted Speaker, Richard Msowoya in part of his announcement about the development, “In this regard it was resolved that meanwhile the dress code as prescribed by our standing orders should be maintained”

Most Female legislators like Hon. Nyalonje 
have been putting on traditional dresses

Female MPs in this picture shows they are already 
into Buy Malawi idea unlike male Legislators

If this will be allowed, Men will basically be the ones to be asked to put on local designs on Friday's because although female legislators adhere to Parliamentary dress code, their dresses are mostly local designs.

Assented Bills and Business For the Budget Meeting 

Metrology, Appropriation Bills Assented By President Mutharika

Speaker of the National Assembly has informed the House today that two bills that were passed during the last Meeting of the National Assembly were assented by President Peter Mutharika last months.

"The bills were assented by State President Professor Peter Mutharika on 24th April 2016 and were published in the Gazette on 29th April 2016, effectively making them to be Acts of Parliament” he said 

He said the bills are Bill No. 2 of 2015 - Metrology which has been published as an Act No. 10 of 2016 and Bill No. 13 of 2016 - Appropriation Amendment which has been published as an Act of No. 11 of 2016.

The speaker continued to announce the resolutions of the Business Committee which met on Thursday 19th May, 2016 on the Business for the program for the 2016/2017 Budget Meeting of Parliament.

He said starting this week 1 of the meeting, from Monday 23rd May, 2016 to Friday 27th May, 2016 the House will spend five days debating on the motion on State of National Address which President Mutharika delivered when opening the meeting and on Friday at 10:45 hours the debate will be curtailed with winding up remarks by the legislator [Lilongwe City South East, Bentley Namasasu] who moved the motion today. 

Then on Tuesday, (tomorrow) Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development will present a Ministerial Statement on the Food Situation.

“Immediately after winding up debate on the President Speech, the House will be suspended and will reconvene at 2 O’clock in the afternoon for the Budget Presentation by Minister of Finance in this House. This means that the Minister of Finance will present his budget statement on Friday, 27th May from 2 o’clock in the afternoon.” Confirmed the Speaker

He said second and third weeks that is from Monday 30th May, 2016 to Friday 10th June 216 will be a Committee work for Budged Scrutiny. While from week four and five, from Monday 13th June, 2016 to Friday 24th June 2016 Opposition Spokespersons on Finance and Chairperson of Budget Committee will make their responses to the Budget. Debate on budget will be curtailed 24th June for the minister to wind up the debate. But the questions for oral replies will start on 14th June and bills and all other businesses including reports will be discussed during the same period. 

Week 6 from Monday 27th June to Friday 1st July 2016 the House will commence the Committee of Supply and it is being planned that the budget will be passed on Thursday 30th June, 2016 while on Friday 1st July will be passing of all budget related bills.

The seventh week which is the final week of the meeting, from Monday 4th July to Friday 8th July the House will deliberate on all remaining businesses such as bills and statements and reports and on Friday the House will adjourn Sine Die.