LL Police Shot Dead 4 Armed Robbers, 1 At large

Police assure residence of maximum security

Armed robbers from Malawi and Mozambique have died after being shot by Police in Lilongwe on Monday evening. Two Malawians died on spot and the other two Mozambican nationals were arrested and later died at Kamuzu Central Hospital but one Mozambican national is on loose.

According to Lilongwe Police Station Public Relations Officer Sub Inspector Kingsley Dandaula the armed robbers exchanged gun-shots with police where two Malawian nationals died on spot and two Mozambican nationals were arrested but had shot wounds.

Dandaula said the police followed tip that some robbers camping somewhere at Biwi near Kalikuti hotel were in the day planning to carryout robbery in the capital city Lilongwe targeting filling stations, banks and some shops.

He said police had the suspects on surveillance and rounded them up at a newly constructed Lilongwe West By-pass road roundabout and Gateway Mall “When our officers identified the criminals they started to exchange gunshots and two Malawian criminals were killed on spot and the other two who are Mozambican nationals died at Kamuzu Central Hospital”

Dandaula mentioned that the deceased criminals were armed with an AK 47 with 18 rounds of live ammunition, an axe, valium drugs, but said the investigations are underway.

Sub Inspector Dandaula further said police identified one Mozambican criminal to be responsible in one of the murder that took place in Dedza and that the other Malawian suspect had criminal record of stealing vehicles.

Currently in Lilongwe cases of armed robbery are happening daily during the day and night.

But the Lilongwe Police PRO has assured Lilongwe City Residence of their security “We want to assure Lilongwe city residence that as police, we will work together with them in ensuring maximum security in the city. We know people have begun to say that there is security lapse in Lilongwe but we would like to assure them that we are doing all that we can to arrest these criminals but I would like to urge members of general public to share us information of any suspects.”

LL Police Shot Dead 1 And Arrest 2 Suspected Armed Robbers

LL Police Shot Dead 1 And Arrest 2 Suspected Armed Robbers

Police in Lilongwe over the weekend shot dead one suspect and arrested two armed robbers. The three were interrupted by police following a tip that some criminals were planning to carryout robbery between area 3 and 9.

According to Lilongwe police station public relations officers Sub Inspector Kingsley Dandaula Area 36 police followed the tip and found the three suspects at one place in area 36.

He said upon noticing the police presence one suspect began to run but police started a chase. He said after several warning shots fired in the air failed to stop the suspect they shot the suspect in the back and was pronounced dead upon arrival at Kamuzu Central Hospital.

“Police shot the suspect accidentally in trying to stop him” said Sub Inspector Dandaula

He said one of the two arrested suspects was found with two live ammunition and torch and the investigations also found that one suspect Lameck Chidina also known as ‘Gaba’ was released on Court bail at Limbe Darton Principle Resident Magistrate Court on 25^th April this year answering a case of being found in possession of breaking instrument without lawful excuse.

He added that these suspects were involved in several crimes that took place in Lilongwe of which some cases their friends are serving jail sentences.

“We have found out that these suspects have been attacking area 3 and area 9 in several occasions. In area 3 they attacked a certain business person and tried to abduct his wife who was rescued by our 990 police officers when rushed to the scene.” He said

“These suspects are very dangerous and we are still going on with our investigations” he said saying the investigations will involve finding out the other suspect who may have a gun which would have been used for two live ammunition found by the arrested suspects.

The two suspects have been identified as Lameck Chidina aged 29 from Nsomba village T/A Bibikulunda in Salima and Patrick Phiri Swale aged 36 from Mwakula village T/A Malengachanzi in Nkhotakota district.

Concerned Businesspersons Deposit NAC Money Through Chief Secretary

Asks Anti-NAC Gate CSOs to Cancel Demonstrations 

The concerned Business persons finally return K5 Million Kwacha to National Aids Commission (NAC) through Chief Secretary on 24^th December 2014. The returned money is a pay back on behalf of First Laday’s initiative Beautify Malawi Trust (BEAM) following demands from Civil Society Organizations asking BEAM and Mulhakho Wa Lhomwe to return the money which they accessed from NAC through dubious means.

Barnett Chinsinga the leader of 10 business persons that contributed the funds confirmed to FM 101 Power that the group handed over the money through Chief Secretary George Mkondiwa and were accompanied by rights activist Robert Mkwezalamba of Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) who signed the document with Chief Secretary.

Receipt Document

He said business people hope that following this development the planned demonstrations by Anti-NAC Gate CSOs who are demanding the return of the money to be canceled adding that if they don’t then they are having a hidden agenda.

“Yes we did that,” confirmed Chinsinga  “as of now what we know is that Robert Mkwezalamba is the one responsible for that, we went together with him” but declined to comment why they failed to accompany with five CSOs that are demanding the return of the money.

But he said “What I can add on issue about people who are not wishing well for Malawi, they should stop what they have prepared. They have been murmuring all these days that they want to do their demonstrations because of the money we have returned. So our appeal is to stop their demonstrations, if they will continue that means it was another issue may be they were doing such a thing because of political issues.”

He added that there is nothing which can make CSOs continue for demonstrations and urged Malawians to avoid resorting demonstrations saying demonstrators often became wild to the extent of destroying businesses.

HRCC executive director Robert Mkwezalamba confirmed of his presence and signing of the document indicating that the money has reached government. He said what remain is BEAM to officially write NAC explaining reasons for returning the money as required by NAC.

“Yes I was there, actually there was a document which we developed together with Chief Secretary” a document which he said himself together with Chief Secretary signed and Mr. Chinsinga signed on behalf of business people as a witness.

“NAC falls under the Office of President and Cabinet” he justified deposit of the funds with Chief Secretary on behalf of government adding that NAC officials were on Christmas and New Year holiday when the business grouping wanted to refund the money.

“The idea is to have the money sent to NAC and by the time we had wanted to give the money NAC said they are on holiday till fifth of January. So if you are looking at the process where after the fifth of January we can go back and get the money and pay to NAC or using government system that the Chief Secretary is just going to transfer the funds in the normal system to NAC, but at the end of the day we only want to see the outcome whether the funds have gone to NAC or not and that can be confirmed after holiday” he said

Meanwhile Anti-NAC Gate CSOs led by five institutions CHRR, Cedep, MANERELA, MANET + and MHEN maintains that neither Mulhakho Wa Alhomwe nor BEAM trust has refunded the money, as such demonstrations to press for their refund of money remain intact on 13^th January 2015.

CSOs Disowns Mayaya, Mkwezalamba On Anti-NAC Gate Involvement Claims

CSOs Disowns Mayaya, Mkwezalamba On Anti-NAC Gate Involvement Claims

Five Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) under the banner ‘Anti-NAC Gate’ have openly distanced themselves from two activists Mr Billy Mayaya and Mr Robert Mkwezalamba claims that they are part of CSO pressure group demanding First Lady’s Beautify Malawi Trust (BEAM) and Lhomwe cultural grouping Mulhakho Wa Lhomwe to refund money dubiously accessed from National Aids Commission (NAC).

On Tuesday 22^nd December 2014 at press conference when concerned business persons lead by Burnet Chinsinga were trying to return BEAM’s K5 Million to NAC in order to appease Anti-NAC Gate CSOs to call off their planned January 13^th 2015 National Wide Demonstrations, Human rights activists Robert Mkwezalamba of Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) and chairperson of the Right to Food Network, Billy Mayaya, availed themselves as CSO representatives.

According to communication from Anti- NAC Gate CSOs through Makhumbo Munthali a Human Rights Advocacy and Resource Mobilisation Coordinator for Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) apparently has rejected the two by saying Anti-NAC Gate CSOs had no representative at the event.

“We have learnt with great shock the recent acts of two activists Mr Billy Mayaya and Mr Robert Mkwezalamba who masqueraded as our representatives (ANTI-NACGATE CSOs representatives) at a BEAM/ DPP regime’s orchestrated “public display” of K5, 000,000.00 under the guise of “well-wishers”.  The two have never been, and are not part and parcel of this ANTI-NACGATE struggle being championed by CHRR, Cedep, MANERELA, MANET + and MHEN on behalf of aggrieved Malawians who are desperately waiting for the return of the money meant for HIV and AIDS activities.”

“As such, we would like to categorically dissociate ourselves from any act indulged by the two earlier this week, and that whatever they did was not representative of us.” Said Munthali adding “It was out of their own personal interest, -or perhaps under the influence of a “hidden big hand” to manipulate public’s opinion or trap us.”

According to the communication from Munthali says Mkwezalamba and Mayaya presence that the event was not justifiable and claim that “there is more than what can meet the eye, and it would be naïve of us to completely rule out the possibility of the two being part of the BEAM/DPP’s regime orchestrated network of cadres who are hell-bent at thwarting the public crusade aimed at coming to the bottom of NACGATE. Their actions are suspicious.”

Munthali said CSOs status quo remains that neither Mulhakho Wa Alhomwe nor BEAM trust has refunded the money, as such demonstrations to press for their refund of money remain intact, “we remain vigilant to fight to the very end till the money is returned back in the best interest of human rights for all and people living with HIV and AIDS.” 

He also said the date for the nationwide demonstrations over NACGATE and the prevailing political, economic, administrative and governance woes remains 13^th January 2015, and apart from the cities of Zomba, Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu, the demonstrations will also be staged in a selected number of districts across the country and that preparations are underway.

Three Die In Salima Gemstone Mine When the Upper Cavity Collapsed

A 2 year old girl was killed together with two miners but her mother survived from the accident

A two year old girl and two men aged 24 and 25 were killed on a Christmas day when upper cavity of a tunnel they were in, searching precious stones collapsed and fell on them.

The tragic accident that took place at Sadzu village along Lilongwe river bank in Salima District has also left the mother of the girl and another man in serious injuries and are currently admitted at Salima District hospital.

Salima Police Public Relations Officer Sergeant Gift Chitowe confirmed that the three died in a 2 metre deep hole and mom of the girl and a man, survived with serious injuries.

He said the little girl was just following her mom and miners digging closer to the collapsed hole carried rescue operation but found the three already dead.

“These people stay at Sadzu village and they went to a mining area located in the same village. They were all in the same hole mining gemstones and suddenly the upper cavity of the tunnel collapsed and fell on them.”

Police have identified the deceased as Adams Mwale aged 24 from Mpaliro village of T/A Chatoloma in Kasungu, Juston Bajesi aged 25 of Sangwa village T/A Khombeza in Salima and a 2 year old girl Linda Jakamusi whose mother Susan Chimbalanga from Katole village T/A Khombedza survived the accident together with Mbuli John aged 21 from Mwamadi village T/A Kambwiri Salima.

Sergeant Chitowe says the mining activities that have just emerged in the area for the past two months by people from the districts of Dedza, Lilongwe, Dowa, and Nkhotakota are extracting red and white Galanite gemstones. He said such activities are being done without license and protective materials like proper mining clothing. He also said the owners of the collapsed mine had no license too.

“As Police we are advising members of the general public to take proper measures whenever they are mining in order to prevent these incidences in future. They need to follow the right channels whenever they are doing this job” he advised, he added “They must realize that it is dangerous to do mining, they need to have protective wears and must follow right procedures from relevant authorities and get registered with government.”

Currently Malawi government is in the process of formalizing the mining subsector Artisanal and Small Scale Miners (ASM) by registering everyone involved in these activities in order to end numerous challenges the subsector is facing. The subsector is not well regulated, has no proper markets and access to financial support and equipments for their job is difficult

Through the recent ASM Policy Consultation Symposium urged all miners to get registered and both government and private sector were challenged to provide necessary support to ASM in areas of financial literacy and access to loans, necessary tools and access to markets.

Over 20 Thousand people in the country are employed in Artisanal and Small Scale Mining activities and proper formalization of the subsector by putting proper regulations and monitoring of such activities will not only increase 10% the mining sector contributes to the Malawi GDP or provide better markets for ASM but will also help to provide necessary resources that may help the miners to carry out their mining activities in a safe environment.

This year similar incident occurred in Dowa district where three women suffocated to death and one was left with sustained serious injuries when an upper cavity of a tunnel they were in to extract clay soil collapsed and fell on them on 23^rd April. The incident took place at Bimphi village T/A Chiwere where four women were inside the tunnel extracting clay soil which they wanted to use in smearing their houses for decoration.

CSOs Won’t Cancel Demonstrations If Only One Institution Return NAC Funds

CSOs Won’t Cancel Demonstrations If Only One Institution Return NAC Funds 

Plans to hold national wide demonstrations demanding Beautify Malawi Trust (BEAM) and Mulhako Wa Alhomwe to refund money accessed from National Aids Commission (NAC) can never be cancelled if only one institution refunds the money.

Burnett Chinsinga who represented ten Business persons from Blantyre and Lilongwe, on Tuesday refunded K5 million that BEAM got from NAC. Chinsinga said by raising the money hoped that CSOs will cancel their planned January 13^th demonstrations because business people are concerned that such demonstrations may affect their businesses.

Chinsinga was in the company of chairperson of the Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC), Robert Mkwezalamba, the Health Rights and Education Programme (HREP) Executive Director, Maziko Matemba, and chairperson of the Right to Food Network, Billy Mayaya,

However NAC has rejected the money saying the businesspersons did not follow procedure of returning the money which is writing NAC and send the money through Treasury.

Trapence: We will cancel demonstrations if all institutions
return the funds to NAC

Centre for Development of People (CEDEP) one of five civil society organisations planning for the Anti-Nac gate demonstrations says CSOs shall cancel demonstrations only if ‘all’ institutions return the money before 13 January 2015.

CEDEP executive director Gift Trapence in his reaction to the attempts being made by concerned business persons said even if the group successfully returns the money on behalf of BEAM, still demonstrations will be on as planned because CSOs will be asking Mulhako to return the money.

“What we want to see is all the institutions returning the money to NAC” he said. “Because we want that money used for impact based activities”

While welcoming gesture by concerned business persons and encourage Mulhako to do the same, Trapence mentioned that had business person’s return the money to NAC for BEAM, CSOs would still have demanded a receipt indicating that NAC has received the returned money.

Trapence however said CSOs will be meeting on the incident to make official stand.

Meanwhile BEAM has maintained stand that they will never return the money because it was not given out as cash. BEAM said had the business persons consulted BEAM then BEAM could have instructed them not to refund the money.

2 Killed After Thrown From Bed of Truck

2 Killed After Thrown From Bed of Truck

Two men were killed in Dowa district after they were thrown from an open back of the truck as it sped uncontrollably at a steep slope road when it developed brake failure.

According to Dowa Police Public Relations Officer Sergeant Richard Kaponda the fatal accident occurred on Tuesday involving a TATA lorry registration number DZ 3893, and 10 other passengers had serious injuries.

Sgt Kaponda: Others were rushed to KCH

“The Driver was on his way to Kachigamba from Dowa Boma with 12 passengers riding in a bed of the truck containing some building materials. Upon reaching Chimvu primary school as he was descending a slope the vehicle lost control due to brake failure.” Said Kaponda, “and it started to descend with a greater speed, passengers were thrown in the process then it stopped when it hit the wall in a verge”

Sgt Kaponda says police identified the driver as Noel Kachule aged 32 from Sapita village of T/A Chauma in Dedza. And the two deceased persons are Sinoa Yassin aged not known from M’bango village T/A Mkukula and Richard Charles aged 19 from Chinyama village T/A Chiwere both from Dowa district.

Sgt Kaponda said Sinoa died at the scene while Richard died upon arrival at Dowa district hospital.

The other passengers were rushed to Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) for sustained serious injuries.