Government reiterates its stand on Judiciary pay hike demands

Government reiterates its stand on Judiciary pay hike demands

Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Goodall Gondwe on Sunday said vowing to demands of salary increment being made by Judicial staff currently on strike would defeat the whole purpose of salary harmonization process.

The judicial staff wants their salary adjusted corresponding to the rate that has been implemented for Civil Servants but government says what has happened in the Civil Service is a salary restructuring exercise and not general increment.

Goodall Gondwe maintained that there has been disparity in salaries to the effect that a driver from one department would get more than a professional from other departments and in the same way the Judicial officers and supporting staff have always had higher salaries than other officers in comparable grades within the Civil Service.

He said current salary harmonization is part of public order to end salary chaos that has happened for so many years. He said to get to that new level those that were getting more than in the civil service meant that they would get a smaller increment.

He said there is a very good reason for this procedure, though others are against it by demanding increment equivalent to one implemented to other civil servants.

“The question there is that, if we were to do that then the policy of harmonization and issue of propriety that we want to achieve would not be achieved. And a number of people think that we have been hardhearted in this.” Said Gondwe

“There is a very good reason for this, apart from the fact that we don’t have resources. We have to have harmonization in civil service. The service is not working well because we have a disjointed salary scale. It is not possible for a lawyer for example in the ministry of justice to work very whole heartedly when he is getting almost three quarters of what his colleague in Judiciary is getting yet have same education level or work same hours. Therefore the impetus to work hard and work with dedication is very much interrupted.”

He added that the aim of harmonization therefore is to get to have alignment that can contribute towards the dedication and hardworking spirit in public service.

But the minister said government will ensure that there is continued discussion with the judiciary so that they are back to work.

On salary adjustments to elected officers (President and his deputy, Members of Parliament and cabinet Ministers) Gondwe said this was done as part of salary structuring particularly of cabinet ministers which has been neglected since 2005. He said government in the course maintained comparative salary adjustments of MPs Ministers, President and his deputy.

He said government has made a minor increment in the salaries of these elected officers since current figures are mainly a reflection of amalgamated basic wage (which was very little) with some of their allowances. He therefore said government maintained MPs salary at 50% of salaries that Cabinet Minister’s get and those salaries of Ministers, Vice President and President remain at a difference of two third each.

Meanwhile President Mutharika together with Vice President Chilima have deferred their new salary until the economy is back on track.

Police in Salima Intercept 28 Bags of Cannabis

Police in Salima Intercept 28 Bags of Cannabis

Salima district police are hunting for unknown men who dumped a vehicle carrying 28 bags of Indian hemp.

Police in the district says a Toyota minibus Hiace registration number DA 1780 belonging to Peter Katasya of Chintheche was dumped when both driver and passengers had spot the police vehicle at a distance.

According to Police Public Realations Officer for Salima District Sergeant Gift Chitowe this happened at Nkhuki village in Salima along Salima-Nkhotakota road on 3^rd December around 15:30 hours.

The Police officer said from the abandoned vehicle police found bags weigh 1,200 killograme. He said police had a tip off from members of the general public that the named vehicle coming from Dwangwa heading to Blantyre was carrying the Indian hemp.

“But inquiry is still on to trace the culprits” said Sergeant Chitowe

Mutharika Defers Proposed Salary Hike

Mutharika Defers Proposed Salary Hike

The Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) says President Peter Mutharika, has deferred implementation of his proposed salary increment and that of the Vice President, Right Honourable Saulos Klaus Chilima, until the country’s economy recovers.

President Mutharika defers Pay Hike

“The OPC wishes to further advise that while the proposed salary increase may be justified, the President has decided to forego the increase at this time.

The President made this decision in solidarity with Malawians, who are presently undergoing very tough economic hardship.” Reads the statement dated 6^th December 

The statement says “President assures the Nation that he has people’s best interest at heart and he fully appreciates the suffering that ordinary Malawians are going through as a result of the suspension of aid by the country’s bilateral donors due to massive looting of public resources (Cashgate) at Capital Hill.”

“President Mutharika and his Government pledge to continue working tirelessly to bring the confidence of the country’s development partners back into the economy and improve the living standards of ordinary Malawians.” Says the statement signed by George Mkondiwa Chief Secretary to the government

The new salary structure was implemented from October 1, 2014, and in line with the 2014/2015 budget.

The president’s salary which remained unchanged since 2009, has 80% increment, meaning Mutharika would have been pocketing K2.7 million per month from MK1.5 million while his vice president Chilima would have been getting K1.8 million per month in addition to fuel coupons amounting to 1500 litres and will remain getting K1 million.

Dr. Lazarus Chakwera
MCP & Leader of Opposition
will also benefit from the effect
of the pay hike

 Leader of Opposition, Lazarous Chakwera whose salary is pegged at that of the cabinet ministers will together with the Ministers be getting K1 608 million K600 000 per month a 168% rise. Will also be getting fuel coupons of 1 000 litres per month and K350 000 as housing allowance.

Deputy Minister’s salaries have been raised to K800 000 from K428 000, representing 87 percent with fuel coupon of 1 000 litres and will be paid K250 000 if they are not living in a government house per month.

The parliamentarians will be getting K600 000 per month from K126 000, a 376% increment in addition to 1 000 litres of fuel per month and K350 000 as housing allowance.

9 Mw Police Officers Die in Car Accident

9 Mw Police Officers Die in Car Accident

A tragic accident has claimed 9 lives of police officers in Balaka district at Chiyendausiku 2.

The fatal road accident involving Malawi Police Service Officers happened on 6th December 2014 at Chiyendausiku 2 in Balaka District, involving motor vehicle registration MP 2252 Toyota Land cruiser where nine (9) officers died in the course of duty.

The police officers were part of the convoy of President Mutharika who in the day inaugurated Traditional Authority Kapoloma in Machinga district.

The nine officers have been identified as;

1. Senior Superintendent Kasowanjete

2. Inspector Namizinga

3. Sub-Inspector Mhango

4. Driver Sergeant Gondwe

5. Sergeant Njikho

6. Sergeant Mulenga

7. Constable Chimenya

8. Constable Sekelani Chilenje and

9. Constable Triza Mphande

Meanwhile President and Government have extended deepest condolences to the families of the victims of this fatal accident, the Inspector General of the Malawi Police Service, all Police Officers and Civilian Staff and the nation.

In a press statement, Kondwani Nankhumwa, M.P.  Minister of Information, Tourism and Culture says “Government pledges its support in this trying time to the bereaved families.”

Govt Promises Delayed Salaries Ready By Monday

Govt Promises Delayed Salaries Ready By Monday

Malawi Govt Court of Arm

Government of Malawi has assured Civil Servants that have failed to receive their November salaries to receive them by Monday next week.

The assurance was made on Friday in a press statement that salaries were generally processed on time and others started accessing their monthly pay by 27^th November, 2014, the official pay day.

However, the statement noted that “there might be a slight delay in the payment of salaries for some Civil Servants because of a technical problem with the Government Payment System at the Malawi Switch Centre (MALSWITCH)” (system used to transmit payment data from Government to Commercial Banks through Reserve Bank of Malawi.)

Secretary to Treasury Ronald Mangani who signed the statement says due to the technical problem at MALSWITCH which occurred on the eve of the 25^th November 2014, the Accountant General Department resorted to manually and physically transferring salaries to commercial banks “This initiative was necessary to minimise the delays that would have arisen.”

“The Government sincerely regrets this sad occurrence” and assured the affected Civil Servants that “every effort is being taken to ensure that they access their November 2014 salaries, latest by 8^th December 2014.”

The statement further informs the general public that in an isolated instance, some files from Ministry of Education, Science and Technology were duplicated whilst manually amalgamating the salaries files. The statement says the issue has been noted and corrective action taken to normalise the duplicates. 

“Government would like to re assure the general public and Civil Servants in particular, that the Payment System has been rectified and is now undergoing validation tests to ensure timely payment of future salaries.” Reads the statement

The Proposed Legislation on Chefs Act reduces Presidential Powers to Zero

The Proposed Legislation on Chefs Act reduces Presidential Powers to Zero

The Malawi Law Commission says has finalized the review process of Chiefs Act. The proposed legislation has made several changes particularly on cutting vast presidential powers provided in the current Act.

The President has been restricted from inaugurate, appoint, removal as well as elevating and creation of new offices of traditional leaders, in order to depoliticize institution of traditional leadership and reduce wrangles that have been frequent among royal families of which some of them remain unresolved up to date.

The special Commission observed that president mandate to appoint a traditional leader has attracted criticism in democratic Malawi, “This power is perceived to erode the independence and proper functioning of the institution of traditional leadership in view of the practice that has developed where political affiliation takes precedence despite the fact that the law requires prior consultations.”

“Therefore the commission has recommended that the president should cease to exercise such powers” Commissioner Stuart Naison Medson Ligomeka, deputy chairperson for the special Law Commission announced on Friday evening in Lilongwe, when presenting the findings and recommendations to the Media.

“Instead, the identification of a person who qualifies for appointment as Paramount Chief and Traditional Authority should be done by the royal family. The role of president shall be restricted to recognizing the person so identified by issuing a Certificate of Recognition.”

However to ensure no delay in the recognition of a traditional leader the commission suggest that where three months have elapsed since the time of notification the president shall be deemed to have recognized the appointment of a traditional leader.  

The proposed Act empowers Minister to preside over ceremonies of installation of Paramount Chief where Oath of Office shall be administered by the Registrar of High Court, but Paramount Chiefs shall install a Traditional Authority who shall install Sub Traditional leaders where Resident Magistrate shall administer Oath of Office.

The commission recommends the abolition of Senior Chiefs position which came into effect following an amendment of the Act in 1999. This encouraged Presidents to make several appointments without involving traditional leaders in the district as stipulated in the Act.

“The commission found such appointments of senior chiefs problematic. The appointment does not confer additional jurisdiction on a chief and the position of Senior Chief is personal to holder.” Said Commissioner Ligomeka

However the Commission indicates that current holders shall continue to serve as such.

The recommendations also indicated that status quo of permanent Paramount Chiefs (like Lundu, M’mbelwa, and Gomani) be maintained, because they are recognized by Act and history of the country. While those that are personal to holder shall remain personal to holder as there are reasons as to why those Paramount Chiefs hold their positions in this basis.

The commission proposes that powers to remove a traditional leader lie with royal family, the president should only recognize the removal from office and where applicable withdraw the Certificate of Recognition. However the president shall be deemed to have withdrawn a Certificate of Recognition where a period of three months has elapsed since he was notified of the removal of traditional leader.

The commission recommendations further suggest that the Act name be changed to “Traditional Leaders Act” for the title of the law to cover various cadres of traditional leadership.

The Chief’s Act was enacted into law in 29^th December 1967 and has been amended a number of times. This review followed several submissions made in 2007 to the Law Commission requesting a review of Chiefs Act (cap.22:03).

Beginning in 2009 the special Law Commission chaired by Anaclet Chipeta Justice of Special Appeal reviewed among others the role of traditional leaders in local and national life, accountability structures relating to the chieftaincy, succession and gender related issues in the Act.

According to Commissioner Ligomeka recommendations under this review “seeks to entrench democratic principles of transparency, accountability and gender sensitiveness in the institution of traditional leadership” and insulate the institution of traditional leadership from political manipulation.

The methodology involved among others invitation of submissions from members of the general public through notices in the local papers and in Gazette, regular meetings to scrutinize the Act section by section and National workshop to validate a subject the Commission’s findings and the recommendations.

Meanwhile Law Commissioner Gertrude Lynn Hiwa SC has urged government to spearhead enactment of the proposed legislation into law.

European Union through Democratic Governance Programme funded the programme and Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) also supported Law Commission with financial and technical support.

Kachere Publication Encourage Authors To Write In their Mother Tongue

Kachere Publication Encourage Authors To Write In their Mother Tongue 

A local publication, ‘Kachere Series Publications’ has encouraged writers and those dreaming to be authors to promote their mother languages by writing their works in their mother tongue.

A lot of Malawian authors writes their works in English language mostly spoken among the educated people and it is not understood by large population.

Hermann Mvula Deputy Director for Chanco Kachere Series Publication, said it is a good development to encourage people to write in Chichewa which is common among Malawians so that many people should read their works and understand the information they are bringing to the people.

Mvula observed that Malawi has very few authors in vernacular languages due to fear that people may not like their works. He said it is very important for upcoming authors to write their works using local languages that are understood by Malawians. He assured that publications like Kachere Series are ready to support anyone wishing to publish their work in any of Malawian Languages.

He therefore encouraged authors not to look-down upon themselves whenever they want to write book in their mother languages.

“I would encourage as many people as possible those who have ideas some of them have conceived their ideas but they have not put those into pen. I would encourage them to write them and seek appropriate publisher so that they can publish their thoughts. So their thoughts should not only be thoughts but they would be practical ideas that people would read them and become knowledgeable about what they want to write when it comes to kind of human and national development.” He said

“My word is to encourage those to seek publishers and of course Kachere is there to have that kind of service to the members of general public in Malawi in helping them to write good readable and workable materials.”

Mvula commended Mrs. Ebba Gondwe author of a recently published Kachere Series Chichewa Book titled ‘Kholo La Ngwiro”. He said Ebba Gondwe has become one of the very few Malawians who made a right decision by publishing her thoughts in Chichewa.

He said currently Kachere Publication house is publishing various types of books including; Monographs, Big and small books in various languages and authors should take advantage of this.