Salima District Police Promises Tourists Tight Security

Already netted 22 men, 11 women

Police in Salima district says they have tightened security in the district in order to make tourists walk freely when enjoying Christmas and New Year festivities along Lake Malawi.

Sergeant Gift Chitowe Salima District Public Relations Officer confirmed that both uniformed and civilian police officers have already met owners of bars, security companies and lodges as well as members of community policing in the district on how they can work together during this festive season in order to reduce crime.

“We have also engaged with members of the general public on the importance of reporting all suspected persons and all crime related incidences to police” he added. He said police will be quick in responding to any given tip.

“I would like to assure any person whether in Malawi or outside the country who wants to spend their holiday in our district that security is tight and be assured of their safety.” He said

As matter of showing how serious with security issue police in the district have, he said they have already over the weekend arrested 33 people on rogue and vagabond and earning a living through prostitution offences.

Sgt Chitowe said 22 are men and 11 are women and were arrested during a sweeping exercise operation in all trading centre’s within Salima district

Pres. Mutharika Release 197 Prisoners for Christmas

"a symbol of forgiveness as the country commemorates its Christmas and New Year Celebrations"

President Professor Peter Mutharika has pardoned 197 inmates for Christmas festivities.

“The Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security wishes to to announce that it has pleased His Excellency the President, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika to Pardon 197 prisoners.” Reads press statement dated 23^rd December 2014

The statement says 197 prisoners who have been pardoned are those who have served at least half of their prison sentences, with good behaviour and were not convicted of serious offences.

“The Pardon of the 197 prisoners is a symbol of forgiveness as the country commemorates its Christmas and New Year Celebrations.”

Farm Input Subsidy Distribution Ending Without Irregularities

Farm Input Subsidy Distribution Ending Without Irregularities

The Farm Input Subsidy Programme (FISP) distribution exercise from main warehouses to ADMARC depot across the country is expected to end by month end of December which is in few days time.

As of Monday 22^nd December, 2014 the programe had reached 90.6% of distribution of this year’s 150,000 Metric Tons of Urea and NPK fertilizers from Smallholder Farmers Fertiliser Revolving Fund of Malawi (SFFRFM) Depots to all unit markets.

Deputy National Coordinator for FISP Mr. Osborne Tsoka said the distribution exercise comes to an end in few days time without cases in relation to siphoning of fertilizer bags, mixing fertilizer with sand or other challenges the programme experienced in previous years.

Tsoka attributed to the success of this year’s programme which was implemented in a short period of time due to various efforts that Ministry of Agriculture has put in place, “In previous years we could have cases of diversion of fertilizer bags, this year, what we have done is that every vehicle living the three major warehouses of SFFRFM of Chilimba Kanengo and Luwinga is being accompanied by armed police officers at the same time we have satellite tracking.”

He added that this tracking system has also prevented cases of mixing fertilizer with sand. He also mentioned that influx of fake coupons has been controlled by strengthening of security features of the FISP coupons.

He said currently the programme has also included a village buying arrangement system to reduce congestions in ADMARC depots which had in previous years resulted in fights among farmers when trying to access fertilizer.

This arrangement system has proven to be effective in some depots that were visited by the media on Monday afternoon. Officials from Mponela and Madisi ADMARC depots praised the system saying it has reduced congestion as farmers comes to buy the inputs only on the day that was specifically set for their group village head.

In 2014/2015 national budget allocated K50.4 billion for FISP targeting 1.5 million vulnerable farmers.

CSOs Angered By Pres. Mutharika Defensive Remarks at Children Christmas Party

CSOs Angered By Pres. Mutharika Defensive Remarks at Children Christmas Party

The five Civil Society Organissations (CSOs) Manet+Manelera+ MEHEN, CEDEP and CHRR are not at ease with President Professor Peter Mutharika’s recent remarks that rebuke his critics who may attempt to probe where he outsourced money used for hosting First Couples Christmas party with children from around Lilongwe on Wednesday 17^th December 2014 at Kamuzu Palace.

In a quest to inform the nation that he hosted the children Christmas party using his own together with first lady and well wishers money, President Peter Mutharika is on record cautioning any attempt to find fault from the party particularly probe where the money was sourced and make some protests out of it.

CSOs view this as direct attack to human rights activists that have vehemently vow to go on with plans for national demonstrations demanding (organizations not strategically placed in national HIV and AIDS response) First Lady’s initiative Beautify Malawi Trust (BEAM) and his tribe grouping Mulhako Wa Alhomwe to repay back the national HIV and AIDS response funds they access through dubious means from National Aids Commission (NAC).

In their statement confirming steady to go on with January 13^th 2015 demonstrations presented to the media over the weekend, CSOs have questioned motive of President Peter Mutharika’s defensive remarks on accountability of his money used for hosting the party and any attempt to make demonstrations.

In the manner the president presented the caution, CSOs suspect that the president had a hand in the recent NAC incident. CSOs are also accusing President Mutharika’s silence and failure to condemn the incident or calling for a swift investigations, “For no doubt the President’s “silence” on the matter is making a lot of noise, and to a greater extent his silence may be implied as consent to the malpractice.” Said Timoty Mtambo CHRR executive director who was together with Gift Trapence Executve director for Cedep, representing other three CSOs

 “Why is it that the DPP’s regime seemed to be more concerned or angry with the saga than even the implicated BEAM Trust and Mulhakho Wa Alhomwe?” asked Mtambo

“Why the panic? Is there something the DPP’ regime is hiding to the country on its possible role in NACGATE? If the whole of the President can stand up and say “I don’t want mawa somebody nkumati fwee fwee fwee ndipanga demonstrations and so forth there is no government money here involved”, in front of children,” Mtambo said adding that even such words were not palatable for the children at the event

“For any possible intentions by his critics to poke their nose into the source of funds for the children’s party in a context or a background of NACGATE and that the only demonstrations being talked about which are as a result of misuse of public funds are the ones related to NACGATE, then we should all be suspicious and question why the President is uttering such and his possible link to NACGATE saga? Why the guilt and anger?” said CHRR executive director

Taking his turn Cedep executive director Gift Trapence also expressed CSOs dismay on “worrisome” arguments being advanced by some executive board members of BEAM Trust who in support of NAC gesture in releasing funds to Beatify Malawi Trust (BEAM) and their position that BEAM cannot return the money are also contradicting with clarification made by NAC.

Trapence also query Mr. Maxwell Matewere a Vice Chairperson of CONGOMA and board member of First Lady Gertrude Mutharika’s BEAM Trust, if his arguments supporting NAC gesture and calling nationwide demonstrations ‘a rushed one’ were spoken on behalf of CONGOMA as a result of consultative process with members or a board member of BEAM.

Similarly, the statement by CSOs, also accuse Malawi Interfaith and Aids Alliance (MIAA) Robert Ngaiyaye for making a sweeping argument for reasons not known.

It further accuses Mr. Mavuto Bamusi (President Peter Mutharika’s Advisor on NGOs and board member of First Lady’s BEAM Trust) for alleging that CSOs are jealousy of BEAM trust and are politically motivated therefore BEAM cannot refund the money, and the CSOs should go ahead with the planned demonstrations. CSOs statement maintains that Mr. Bamusi was supposed to advise the President on the negative implications of using HIV and AIDS funds for unrelated activities.

Anti-NAC Gate Demonstrations Ready-CSO’s

'if restitution is made within the period, demonstrations will be called off' Anti-NAC Gate CSO’s

Five Civil Society Organisations demanding First Lady’s BEAM Trust and Mulhakho Wa Lhomwe to refund National Aids Commission (NAC) funds says their planned national wide demonstrations are ready on 13 January 2015, but can call them off once the involved institutions return the money before actual day of demonstrations.

BEAM Trust and Mulhakho Wa Lhomwe whose work is not directly involved in fight against HIV and AIDS are reported to have accessed NAC funds up to MK5 Million and MK9.4 Million respectively through dubious means.

However NAC maintains stand that it did not grant any money to Beautify Malawi but rather participated in the Beautify Malawi launch activities through buying dinner tables for stakeholders and advertising during the launch. And as a cultural grouping, Muhlakho wa Ahlomwe was supported through high level advocacy activities for HIV and AIDS issues.

It also set record straight that “the existing sub granting procedures provide for multiple channels of financing that include both solicited grant recipient organizations as well as demand driven applications.”

Board members for BEAM Trust have also accused CSOs for making demands on the matter out of jealousy.

But Manet+, Manelera+, Malawi Health Equity Network (MEHN), Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR0 and Centre for Development of People (CEDEP) in a statement released on Friday confirm that the day to hold demonstration is set and preparations are underway.

The joint letter bearing signatures of executive directors Safari Mbewe (MANET+), Martha Kwataine (MHEN), MacDonald Sembereka (MANERELA+), Gift Trapence (CEDEP) and Timothy Mtambo (CHRR) gives condition that if these institutions repay the money within the period, demonstrations will be called off because intention is not to do the demonstrations but making sure that the funds are paid back to NAC.

CSOs insist that “government and its agents” used their power to influence NAC to release the money while holding its dagger. They also believe that NAC clarification on this abuse of funds is a “big joke” but an attempt to shield the involved institutions from the scandal “NAC statement did not manage to address any of our concerns, if truth be told” maintains CSOs in the statement

“It is in light of the foregoing that the CSOs under the anti Nac-gate banner have stuck to our plans to stage nationwide protests on 13the January, 2014. The CSOs are more determined than ever to offer the public the platform to exercise their freedom of assembly and expression in demanding the two institutions in question to refund the NAC money, and also call for the current regime address the prevailing economic and political woes which are inhibiting Malawians from fully enjoying their human rights” reads the statement

Timothy Mtambo (CHRR0 and Gift Trapence (Cedep) told journalists in Lilongwe Friday evening that their petition is being worked on and it sets time frame of every demand and vows not to rest until restitution in full amount of the money is made.

Timothy Mtambo: We are making progress 

CHRR executive Director Timothy Mtambo said the demonstrations progress are making strides and come that day people will hold demonstrations in exercising their rights.

Gift Trapence: We will use other avenues if
our petition demands are not ment

Cedep Executive Director said “We have started the announcements, we just want to remind Malawians that this is a national demonstrations but as well that will have subsequent announcements of designated routs and districts where demonstrations will be.”

“We have a petition that we have written that we want to submit to government to make sure that they are able to comply to the demands of that petition.” He said

He made it clear that if it happens that government fail to comply to the demands by not forcing its agents (BEAM and Mulhako) to repay the money, CSOs will use other avenues “One is to do more demonstrations, but as well we will also use courts to make sure that these institutions have paid back the money.”

He noted that though court staff are on strike but once are open CSOs will “mobilize Malawians” to sue such institutions as well as NAC Board for flouting procedure of accessing NAC funds, “Even if at our local level in terms of courts system we are not helped we have so many international instruments that we can use to force these institutions to pay back the money.”

At first CSOs issued a seven day line for NIB, BEAM and Mlhakho wa Alhomwe  to repay back the money which they did not honor and upon expiry the CSOs announced January 13^th 2015 as a day to hold peaceful demonstrations. In light of these CSOs says they have still given the said institutions “so many days” to repay the money. 

Public Service Reform Commission Recommends 13 Actions to Get To Efficient Civil Service

Public Service Reform Commission Recommends 13 Actions to Get To Efficient Civil Service

After six months of study, getting views from public and learn from other countries, jut to find solutions halting Civil Service, the appointed seven member Public Service Reform Commission chaired by Vice President Saulos Chilima has come up with 13 recommended actions that the commission says will end inefficiencies in public service.

Vice President Saulos Chilima announced yesterday in Lilongwe that President Mutharika has approved all the proposed reforms.

He said the commission will make submission of its final report in January but on 11 February 2015 government will launch the report together with other recommended actions that were in existence but need to be reinvigorated like Reform Programme, National Plan to guide development initiative; Vision 2020 and Organisation Performance Assessment.

Some recommendations gives President authority to chair and champion some reforms just to raise their profile, however other reforms have stripped off some OPC functions by moving other initiatives to relevant ministries so that OPC remains with its core function of Managing Civil Service.

The Commission in its preliminary report which the final report will be made available in January 2015, recommends and propose issues of restructuring, decentralization of services, instill discipline in civil service, continued partnerships with private sector and quick enactment of up to 16 outstanding legislations that have an effect in effective implementation of the reforms.

Presenting the recommendations Vice President of Republic of Malawi Saulos Chilima says the recommendations will be implemented because are necessary and nothing will stop government.

He noted that other recommendations have already been implemented.

Some recommended actions will involve crucial decisions particularly on resizing civil service to maintain current 40% vacancy rate following Mutharika decision to have a 20 Cabinet members led to reduction of government ministries.

According to Chilima the Commission recommends and an exercise that reduce number of Principle Secretaries by 56 from current 96 to 40, through a consultative process that is transparent in order to ensure fairness and credibility.

He said irrelevant portfolios will be deleted, some PSs will be deployed outside civil service and exiting those that may not be required, but with a decent one-off package, and similar exercise will be done in entire civil service in order to come up with “lean and vibrant organization.”

But on constitutional reforms the Commission recommends that “number of government Ministries should not exceed twenty and the size of cabinet should not exceed 25 including the president and the vice president”

Furthermore the commission proposes ten public positions to follow presidential tenure of office in order to prevent ongoing perceptions of political appointments and termination of contracts when new regime is ushered in. And National Vision be legislated to make it legally binding and avoid tendency by Ministries, Department and Agencies deviating from the countries plan and strategies so to keep such visions stand the test of time including any change of government.

Other recommendations include restructuring of Ministry of finance, establishment of School that train government workers, development of individual, Institutional performance contracts and strengthen Green Belt Initiative  by moving it from OPC and establish Green Belt Authority so that it brings to reality Malawi dream of becoming a producing and export nation.

The commission has selected 8 ministries and departments to pioneer the implementation of these reforms and promote service delivery and accountability in some areas. In addition it has also recommended that a permanent Reform Commission be created.

Four Northern Region Youth Groups says Malawi in Economic and Governance Crisis

Asks Pres. Mutharika to Come Out In ‘Hiding’ And Facilitate Dialogue To End The Crisis.  

The four human rights groups on Youth issues from Mzuzu have bemoaned with what they describe ‘the present depressing economic and governance crisis’ in Mutharika’s government and expressed dismay with the silence from presidency on the ongoing matters.

The four organizations; Youth and Society (YAS), Mzuzu Youth Association (MYA), Child Development and Support Organisation (CHIDESO), and Centre for Youth Development (CYD) has issued a statement dated 18^th December and is signed by Charles Kajoloweka Executive Director For YAS.

In their statement the organizations said silence of Mutharika administration is prompting citizens to feel abandoned by their elected government.

They mentioned government tardiness to deal with ongoing industrial strikes happening in Judiciary, at Anti-Corruption Bureau, Universities leading to closure of the institutions, economic crisis, fiscal indiscipline as evidenced by looting at the National Aids Commission (NAC), recent exposed salary increase for elected officers as well as recent ‘militia’ attacks of the DPP youth wing as spotted in some parts of the country are some of the major challenges that Mutharika is failing to handle.

“We wish to strongly bemoan the present depressing economic and governance crisis in Malawi owing to leadership failure at all levels of government. It is notably clear that the presidency is completely absent and government is increasingly losing control over national affairs; and citizens understandably feel abandoned by their elected government have the reason to worry.” Reads the statement

“We painfully observe that despite the unfolding precarious economic and governance crisis the country is facing, President Prof. Peter Mutharika has been implausibly silent and continues be so, suggesting lack of concern and cluelessness in dealing with the crisis. The leadership is probably absent in the crisis and citizen frustrations are growing. This is strange and unheard of any leadership.” Claims the statement

The organizations have therefore called President Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika and his government to open up and embark on an inclusive national dialogue in resolving the current crisis saying Mutharika has many options including convening an emergency Parliament.

Expeditious resolving of the ongoing strikes , re-open of the closed academic institutions and have also called upon the leader of opposition in Parliament Dr. Lazarus Chakwera and his Malawi Congress Party (MCP), and leaders of all political parties to provide pro-active constitutional oversight responsibility as expected.

In their recommendations the youth grouping have expressed rally behind of some CSOs calling for nationwide demonstrations on the current issues “We unreservedly endorse the call to defend our present and future. We will participate.” Reads the statement

President Professor Peter Mutharika’s government is continuing getting pressure from CSO’s and opposition parties over several economic related issues. Among them is the ailing economy, failure to resolve numerous industrial strikes demanding salary increment and the recent revelation that Mutharikas wife initiative BEAM Trust, National Intelligence Bureau and Mutharika’s ethinic grouping Mulhako wa Alhomwe asked and received HIV response funding from National Aids Commission (NAC) yet the three institutions work outside HIV response.