CCJP Asks Mutharika To Add More Women In His Cabinet

CCJP Asks Mutharika To Add More Women In His Cabinet

The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (CCJP) has asked government to live up to its promise of putting more women into decision making positions.

Out of 20 Cabinet Ministers in current administration has three female; Jean Kalirani Minister of Health, Grace Obama Chiumia Minister of Youth and Sport and Patricia Kaliati Minister of Gender Children, Disability and Social Welfare.

The commission in its statement which is outlining number of problems that Malawi is experiencing says is not happy with the current cabinet of only three female ministers.

The statement which has been signed by Mr. Chris Chisoni CCJP National Secretary on December 6, 2014 has asked President Prof. Peter Mutharika, to commit himself to promise made in his inaugural speech that his government will promote gender equality.

“It is sad that only few women have been appointed in leadership positions. For example out of 20 cabinet ministers 3 only are women. We think there must be a deliberate affirmative action for women leadership in various governance systems and structures than it is the case now.” Reads the statement

Mutharika asked to put women in his cabinet
and stop making appointments without consultations

“We therefore implore the state leadership to proactively consider social inclusion, women participation, and maintenance of the doctrine of the separation of powers and roles in sustaining the consolidation of democracy in our country.”

The statement is also asking government to stop appointing people without making consultations because this leaves people with questions of the seriousness of the appointing authority as well as its legitimate expectations from the appointed people.

CCJP in the statement also consider recent appointments of advocates on development and human rights and faith leaders to have crippled the conscious of the civil society and faith based movement in Malawi.

CCJP has further requested government to stop redeployment of people because it is causing cases of two people being paid on the same post when the other one is just doing nothing. The commission further also bemoaned that some are being redeployed to departments which do not match their skills or career path and this is resulting in wasting tax payer’s money and misallocation of human resource.

Noting numerous labour related strikes currently under way and others in the offing, CCJP while acknowledging the right of employees to a just and fair wage, encourages engagement and dialogue between employers and employees to resolving their differences.

But CCJP says as government is riddled with acute shortage of financial resources, striking staff should realise that government has a weaker capacity at the moment. However, CCJP asks government and its other departments like state houses, and judiciary to be exemplary in their appetite for spending and living in luxurious life as it is “unfair and unjust” to deny increments of salaries elsewhere and in another approve rapid changes to salaries.

CCJP comprising of CCJP National, CCJP Chikwawa, Arch diocese of Blantyre, Zomba, Mangochi, Dedza, Archdiocese of Lilongwe, Mzuzu and Karonga gathered on 2^nd, December 2014, at Msamba Pastoral Centre in Lilongwe to reflect numerous challenges being experienced by Malawians today.

During the reflection CCJP on socio-economic and living context of Malawi noted that the lives of most Malawians 6 months after the tripartite elections is a mixed bag of joys and sorrows that CCJP seeks from various stakeholders to take a correct and proactive interventions to ameliorate the suffering and the agonies of the people.

The statement has also asked Malawi citizens to exercise patriotism and responsibility in among others curbing corruption and ending deforestation.

Mutharika Appeal for National Prayers on Good Rains

"God will surely hear us"-Mutharika 

President Peter Mutharika

His Excellency the State President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, is            calling upon all religious leaders and the entire nation to set a side this coming weekend, (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) the 12^th to 14^th of December  2014, to dedicate time within their normal service of worship and pray for Good rains across the country.

The Malawi leader has made the call some two hours ago through a press statement signed by Mr. Timpunza Mwansambo Deputy State House Press Secretary.

Mwansambo says the President has noted with great concern that most parts of the country which by now should have received the first rains have not yet received the rains. 

Government proposes that Muslim conduct prayers on their day of worship which is on Friday, on Saturday be those who worship on Saturday and on Sunday for those who worship on Sunday.

The appeal has also been extended to those that congregate at Lunch hour fellowships, night of Prayers, Youth prayer groups, women’s prayer groups and other religious gatherings during this week and beyond.

“To those who can fast the president is calling upon them to do so. For this reason the State President requests all religious mother bodies to encourage their followers to attend these prayers.” Reads the statement

“The State President is also appealing to all cabinet Ministers, senior government officials, and members of parliament, Leaders of all political Parties, Civil Society leaders and Traditional leaders to attend these prayers in their respective or nearest places of worship.”

“The President Strongly believes that if we unite in Prayer as a nation God will surely hear us and we will have good rains and a bumper harvest.”

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