Woman Arrested for Attempt to Sell Daughter

Woman Arrested for Attempt to Sell Daughter 

A 23 year old mother earning a living through prostitution is expected to appear before Salima First Grade Magistrate Court for allegedly attempting to sell her biological daughter Salima police has confirmed.

Sergeant Gift Chitowe Salima Police Public Relations Officer says the suspect Miriam Kapindira was arrested by Salima police as she attempted to sell her 3 year old daughter to an unknown business lady from Lilongwe.

Chitowe said police on 15^th January received a tipoff that the suspect had a tryst at Kamuzu road trading centre with an unknown business lady from Lilongwe making negotiations on the illegal business.

But when police arrived at the scene they only found the suspect pocketing cash amounting to K100, 000, half of agreed payment of K200, 000. And the unknown business lady managed to escape arrest.

However, Sgt Chitowe said the woman currently in police custody still denies that she wanted to sell her daughter but wants her friend (unknown business lady) to raise the child. The suspect also told police that the money received from her friend was just a token of appreciation for being trusted as a right person to raise the child.

“According to our investigations we are convinced that this woman wanted to sell her daughter. Her explanation that the money received from her friend was only a token of appreciation, is not truthful, such cannot happen.” Said Chitowe

Sergeant Chitowe said the woman has already been charged with conduct likely to cause breach of peace.

Miriam Kapindira comes from Maplot area in T/A Maganda in Salima district and may appear before Salima First Grade Magistrate Court starting on Monday 19^th January 2014.

Bishop Zuza

Who Was He?

Late Bishop Zuza: his
death is a great shock

Thursday 15 January 2015 am on holiday, its John Chilembwe day. I cannot remember the exact time by now, but I’m convinced must be around 16:00hrs when my former colleague at Radio Maria Malawi met me somewhere at Area 18 in the Capital Lilongwe. In simple and straightforward but hard to believe “Akuti ambuye Zuza amwalira pangozi” (Bishop Zuza has died in an accident)

I got my phone and call Acting Secretary for Episcopal Conference of Malawi Fr. Emmanuel Chimombo because I knew his response will be authentic.

“Yes, His Lordship Bishop Joseph Mukasa Zuza was involved in an accident and was taken to hospital some few hours ago.” He responded “And has passed on” he said in his second sentence and said he is sending me an email announcing the death of the Bishop I have known for a very long time.

4:46 PM email Subject: Death Announcement - Bishop Zuza

Dear brethren,

Find attached sad news from the ECM.

Please help us inform Christians and all people who should know

                                Death Announcement

                     BISHOP JOSEPH MUKASA ZUZA

The Catholic Secretariat of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi regrets to announce the tragic death of Rite Reverend Bishop Joseph Mukasa Zuza, who was bishop of Mzuzu Diocese and Chairman for the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM).

According to report, Bishop Zuza was involved in a road accident and has passed on while being attended in Mzuzu.

More information and details shall follow later.

MAY HIS SOUL REST IN ETERNAL PEACE

____________________________________________

                                  UTHENGA WACHISONI

                      AMBUYE JOSEPH MUKASA ZUZA

Bungwe la Maepiskopi a Mpingo Wa Katolika - Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) – ili ndi chisoni kukudziwitsani za imfa ya Olemekezeka Ambuye Joseph Mukasa ZUZA amene anali episkopi wa Dayosizi ya Mzuzu komanso Wapampando wa Bungwe la Maepiskopi aKatolika m’Malawi (ECM).

Malinga ndi uthenga umene talandira, Ambuye Zuza anachita ngozi ya galimoto ndipo amwalira pamene anali kulandira hithandizo kuchipatala ku Mzuzu.

Fr Andrew KAUFA

COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY – ECM

That was the exact content of the message

This was a shocking message, at 16:24 George Mkondiwa, Chief Secretary to the Government, responded “Fr., Received with immense sadness.”

Later, 19:25 hrs another email from government

H.E CONDOLENCE MESSAGE  ON DEATH OF BISHOP ZUZA

His Excellency the President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has learnt with deep shock at the untimely death of the Right Reverend Bishop Joseph Mukasa Zuza, of Mzuzu Diocese of the Catholic Church and current Chairman of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi who died in a tragic car accident on Thursday, 15^th January 2015.

The President joins all Malawians in expressing condolences and great sympathy to the family, the Catholic Church and the greater Malawi on the loss of a patriotic and development conscious Church Leader who was a partner of Government. The President is greatly saddened by this loss and joins all Malawians in mourning the passing of one the finest sons of the Nation.

The Government will stand shoulder to shoulder with the Catholic Church and all Malawians during this difficult moment for our country.

May His Soul Rest in Peace

KONDWANI NANKHUMWA, MP

MINISTER OF INFORMATION, TOURISM & CULTURE

GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON

15^TH JANUARY 2015

The death of Bishop Zuza is a great shock to both Catholics and non Catholics. He was a great Bishop who at an appropriate time could bravely speak against every wrong doing by government without fear or favour. Could applaud government when indeed the church saw it necessary to do so. He always ensured that there is justice.

Late Bishop Zuza
(pic by ECM)

The Late Zuza made Catholic faithful in Malawi Proud mid 2014 when Malawi hosted AMECEA plenary! The list of Late Bishop Zuza’s achievements is endless.

According to ECM Communication Officer Mr. Prince Henderson Rt. Rev Bishop Zuza was driving to his base, Mzuzu, from visiting his home village, Mhlafuta in Embangeni Mzimba “The Bishop's car registration number,MZ 6022 rear tyre burst causing the vehicle to swerve and get out of his control. His Lordship was in the process forced out of the car. This took place at Nthungwa, in the Chikangawa forest Reserve.”

In an updated death announcement Catholic Secretariat of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) His Lordship Joseph Mukasa Zuza, Bishop for the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu and Chairman for ECM. Bishop Zuza passed on at Saint John Hospital on 15th January 2015.

According to ECM Information Officer In 2010 Bishop Zuza's diocese was split, partly out of a desire to ease transportation problems in the area.

Mr. Henderson’s information pertaining to the life of Bishop Zuza indicates that when the Diocese of Karonga was erected that year from territory of the Mzuzu diocese, Bishop Zuza said the split was "necessary, because it is quite taxing to travel to some places from headquarters." He described difficult travel on poor roads in all-terrain vehicles to parishes as far as 250 miles away.

He said in addition to having been Bishop of Mzuzu, in Malawi's north, Bishop Zuza was, until his death, president of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, since 2011.

He pointed out that Bishop Zuza participated in the extraordinary Synod on Family that concluded last October, where he spoke up for Catholic teaching on family sought to uphold the sanctity of the Sacrament of marriage. A conservative and promoter of culture and traditions, the African prelate had expressed concerns over Western influence affecting African culture, particularly on the issues of homosexuality and same-sex marriage.

He also mention that during the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Mzuzu Diocese, Archbishop Nicola Girasoli, then Apostolic Nuncio to Zambia and Malawi, lauded Bishop Zuza's pastoral initiatives for the faithful, saying that "during these years of visiting Mzuzu, the diocese has been very well managed and very well organized."

The Prefecture Apostolic of Northern Malawi was erected in 1947, and was elevated to the status of the Diocese of Mzuzu in 1961. It currently holds a Catholic population of 400,000.

In addition ECM has also pointed number of positions Bishop Zuza’s has held in the Church on local and regional (AMECEA) level.

On local level, he once served as Vice Chairman of ECM; Chairman for Justice and Peace Commission (CCJP); Chairman for Education Commission; Chairman for the Mixed Commission. On regional level he once served as Malawi Delegate in the AMECEA Executive Board; Chairman of AMECEA Staffing Committee (2008 – 2011); As Chairman for ECM Right Rev. Joseph Mukasa Zuza has died while serving as Chancelor of the Catholic University of Malawi (CUNIMA). On Saturday, 10th January, Bishop Zuza inaugurated the Jubilee Year for Kachebere Major Seminary.

Requiem Mass

Requiem mass for his repose shall be held on Monday, 19th January 2015, at St Peters Cathedral in Mzuzu, starting from 10.00 AM. Burial shall be held at Katoto, near the bishop’s house.

His Excellency, The Most Reverend Archbishop Julio Murat, The Apostolic Nuncio for Malawi and Zambia will preside the Requiem mass.

Right Reverend Zuza was born on 22 October 1955 at Malembo Village, T.A. Chief Mbelwa, Mzimba District; ordained priest on 25 July 1982; appointed Bishop of Mzuzu on 9th March 1995 by Saint. John Paul II and consecrated on 6th May 1995.

“The Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) shall remember him as a Bishop who waskind-hearted, cheerful and always available to everyone.” Reads the announcement signed by Fr Emmanuel Chimombo Acting Secretary General

May the Soul of Right Rev. Joseph Mukasa Zuza Rest in Eternal Peace.

ITPC Call for Action for the HIV Response in Ebola Affected Countries

ITPC Call for Action for the HIV Response in Ebola Affected Countries

An international organisation The International Treatment Preparedness Coalition (ITPC), together with the Network of HIV Positives in Sierra-Leone (NETHIPS), the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), Solidarité Thérapeutique et Initiatives contre le Sida (SOLTHIS), and National AIDS Secretariat (NAS) has sent an urgent call on regional development partners and international Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) involved in HIV responses to support People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and women & children networks in Sierra Leone.

In ITPC statement dated 13^th January 2015 international observe that the combination of Ebola and HIV is becoming deadly hence the need for both international and regional CSOs involved in HIV response to quickly join the local organisations to combat the deadly combination of HIV and Ebola.

According to the statement the main help is needed to trace and reconnect those PLHIV who have been lost to follow-up due to the Ebola outbreak, address the stigma and discrimination towards HIV and Ebola survivors, conduct HIV and Ebola co-infection survival research to understand the documented variance in morbidity rates and document community responses to the Ebola outbreak.

“We call on partners and civil society to act now to combat this deadly combination!” reads the statement.

Many public health experts say that containing the virus is only part of a wider health crisis facing West Africa, a region where most childhood deaths are caused by treatable and preventable diseases like HIV/AIDS or curable ones like malaria, diarrhoea and pneumonia.

Since the Ebola outbreak, civil society has yet to lend its voice in support to PLHIV in affected countries.

ITPC West Africa Regional Director Mr. Sylvère B. Bukiki believes that civil society coalitions, including regional and international PLVIH networks, should be more committed in supporting the ongoing work of local partners to ensure the continuity of treatment, care and support for PLHIV during this period of the Ebola outbreak.

NETHIPS National Coordinator Mr. Idrissa Songo adds that the experiences of PLHIV organizations and networks can contribute meaningfully to address other health issues beyond HIV, including Ebola. Such coalitions have marketed experience and expertise in community mobilization and behavioural change strategies that can help fight the transmission of Ebola in communities. “For example, ITPC West Africa is currently undertaking the Stock Out Project, supported by the German International Cooperation (GIZ), to document the impact of Ebola on ARV stock outs.” He said

In order to address the crisis of EVD, especially among people living with HIV, the statement also calls communities in Ebola affected countries to be at the centre of the response.

According to the statement Ebola virus disease (EVD) has killed over 7,000 people in four West African countries, spreading from Guinea to Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria — in what the World Health Organization called an outbreak “unparalleled in modern times.” The sudden outbreak of the EVD has complicated the already weak, underfunded, and understaffed health systems in affected countries in West Africa, particularly in Sierra Leone.

ITPC also indicates that data from the National Ebola Response Centre in Sierra-Leone recorded 2,630 confirmed deaths out of 7,696 confirmed cases since the first reported case in May 2014.

The International Treatment Preparedness Coalition is a global network of community organisations, local NGOs, researchers, and activists dedicated to effective, affordable, and quality treatment and health care for people living with HIV. Founded in 2003, ITPC is network solely devoted to scaling up access to HIV-related treatment.

AU Promises Humanitarian Assistance to Flood Victims in Malawi

AU Promises Humanitarian Assistance to Flood Victims in Malawi

The African Union (AU) has expressed solidarity with the Government and people of Malawi in the face of a floods that have hit the country.

The statement from Addis Ababa dated 16 January 2015 says the AU Commission Chairperson H.E Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has received with shock, the tragic news of devastating floods which struck Malawi with serious adverse effects on the country’s population.

“The Chairperson commiserates with the President of the Republic of Malawi H.E. Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika and the people of Malawi. This unfortunate calamity has killed about 48 people, destroyed thousands of houses destroyed across many districts and leaving thousands of people internally displaced.”

In the statement Dr Dlamini Zuma assures the government and people of Malawi that the AU will give the “highest priority” to providing modest humanitarian assistance to the government as part of efforts to alleviate the suffering of the affected population.

“This assistance will be availed to the government as soon as possible.” Reads the statement

Malawi Floods Latest Figures 27,000 Households Displaced

Malawi Floods Latest Figures 27,000 Households Displaced

 

Malawi Government estimates 27,000 households (approx 135,000 people) to have been displaced since the floods hit the country.

The most affected districts are Nsanje, Chikwawa and Phalombe.

Floods status report as of 17^th January 2015 from Office of the Vice President, search and rescue operations are ongoing in Nsanje and Chikwawa, where additional 100 people were evacuated to camps in Nsanje on 16^th January 2015 and more households are arriving at the camps that have been established to accommodate people that have been evacuated from the affected areas in Chikwawa and Nsanje as water in some parts is subsiding.

“The Department of Disaster Management Affairs and other organizations are continuing to distribute food and non food items to the affected. More dispatches are being made now as some of the areas are becoming accessible with relief items. Airlifting of relief items to Mlolo area in Nsanje is ongoing and also the evacuation of vulnerable groups from the area to Bangula Camps to medical and other services.” reads the statement

The information further indicates that additional helicopters are being arranged with the Republic of South Africa.

Following the declaration of a state of disaster by the State President, a number of organizations are coming forward to donate assistance to the affected population.

According to the statement, Kamponji Estates have donated 150 metric tons of maize flour “The flour will be collected daily on average of 50 metric tons and will be distributed on need basis across the affected areas. 14 metric tons are now being loaded on the MDF trucks to be delivered to Nsanje District.” It adds “Kamponji Estates have also donated 2000 blankets and will provide eggs to meet nutritional needs of the affected people.”

The list indicates Nyasa Manufacturing has donated 20 maize flour and 1000 blankets; First Merchant Bank has made a cash donation of MK20 million; CDH Bank has donated MK1 million; Mr Milward Nyangulu from Mchinji has donated 350- 25 kg bags of maize; and Motal Engil has offered for free use its road construction and maintenance equipment for maintenance of roads in all affected areas across the country.

“The consolidation of a comprehensive response plan is underway. The plan will highlight the needs of the different sectors and resource requirements. A number of Development Partners have pledged support once the response plan has been finalized.” Reads the statement

The statement also indicates that a team from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) has arrived in the country to assist in the response coordination efforts. The United Nations (UN) team and DoDMA officials also undertook a flyover on Saturday over flood affected areas in Mangochi, Phalombe, Chikwawa, Nsanje, Machinga, Zomba and Mulanje to appreciate the damage caused by the floods and the report will be released.

The statement also note that since 16th January 2015, some Mozambican Nationals affected by floods have crossed over into Nsanje District.

“The Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services has indicated that a moderate tropical storm in the Mozambique Channel continues to shift further eastwards towards Madagascar thereby reducing moisture inflow into southern Malawi. Congo air mass is however expected to remain dominant over central and northern areas of Malawi. Therefore, less rains over southern Malawi over the weekend hence the chance to enhance the ongoing response operations.” Indicated the statement

The office of Vice President further reminds Malawians that since the rains are expected to continue, people living in low lying areas in flood disaster prone districts must move to upland and avoid crossing fast flowing streams and rivers in order to avoid losing lives as a result of the floods. 

MW’s Economy Signals Improvements; Official Reserves Months Import cover Rises to 3.38, Private Foreign Reserve at 1.7

Gvt believes monetary policies at work

The Malawi Government boasts that sound economic policies and government strategic thinking as spearheaded by President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has resulted into the current “tremendous” improvement in the official and private foreign reserves.

Hon Kondwani Nakhumwa

Minister of Information Tourism and Culture Kondwani Nankhumwa said in a statement Malawi has yet again registered another improvement on official and private foreign reserves translating into greater import cover “as never seen before” in the country’s history.

This follows the rising of official foreign reserves to USD646.26 million as of Wednesday 14^th January 2015. The rise translates into an import cover of 3.38 months and the private sector official foreign reserves are at USD325.94 million translating into an import cover of 1.71 months.

“Cumulatively, it means the country has a total of USD972.16 million in foreign reserves translating into an import cover of 5.1 months.” indicated Nankhumwa

According to Reserve Bank of Malawi Financial Market Developments statistics on Wednesday, Gross Official Reserves increased during the week ending 9th January 2015 compared to the preceding week. The Gross Official Reserves stood at US$607.95 million (3.18 months of imports) as at 9th January, 2015 compared to US$606.19 million (3.17 months of imports) recorded on 2nd January, 2015. The Gross Official Reserves went up further and stood at US$646.22 million (3.38 months of imports) as at Monday, 12th January, 2015.

Gross Official Foreign Reserves from 2nd Jan-12th Jan 2015 (by RBM)

Compare between December 19 to 30th 2014 Statistics

Gross Official Foreign Reserves from 19th Dec-24th Dec 2014 (by RBM)

The current private sector foreign exchange reserve import cover of $325.94 translating to 1.71 month is a decline from week ending 9th January, 2015 where it rose to $338.09 translating to 1.77 months an increase from 2nd January, 2015 at $314.49 translating to 1.65 months import cover. 

Private Sector Foreign Exchange Reserve from 2 Jan - 13th Jan 2015 (by RBM)

Compare between 19th to 30th December 2014 Statistics

Private Sector Foreign Exchange Reserve from 19th Dec - 29th Dec 2014 (by RBM)

But as of Wednesday Kwacha has continued to appreciate against the USD trading at around MK462.5711 on Wednesday from around 466.5601 on Tuesday.

Exchange Rate Development from 6th Jan- 13th Jan 2015 (by RBM)

Compare between 19th to 30th December 2014 Statistics

Exchange Rate Development from 18th Dec- 29th Dec 2014 (by RBM)

RBM statistics indicates Private Sector Foreign Exchange Reserves (Foreign reserves under the direct control of authrozed dealer banks (ADBs) which consists of ADBs own forex positions and foreign currency denominated accounts balances of their clients) ADBs sales to the market at US$48.88 million surpassed corresponding purchases by US$7.55 million during the week ending 9th January 2015. ADBs bought US$6.27 million from the market against sales of US$5.54 million Tuesday.

“It is worth pointing out that this has never happened before in Malawi’s history. It is the first time for the country to hit such levels of reserves and import cover even at the highest periods of good economic growth.” Said Nankhumwa

The Minister has assured Malawians that government will continue on the path withstanding all the challenges to make Malawi a middle income country.

“In the same vein, government wishes to appeal to every one of us to use these foreign reserves prudently, focusing only on those activities that will help grow the reserves, while we all rally behind the leadership of His Excellency the State President Professor Peter Mutharika to push further the agenda of shifting the direction of the country into better days.” He said

CHRR, Cedep Joins Pres. Mutharika; Appeals for Increased National and Global Response on Rainfall Disaster Areas

CHRR, Cedep Joins Pres. Mutharika; Appeals for Increased National and Global Response on Rainfall Disaster Areas

CHRR&CEDEP Logos

Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) and Centre for Development of People (CEDEP), says the continuous downpour Malawi is experiencing requires “urgent and robust” solutions from everyone.

The two human rights institutions have made the call in a joint statement released on Wednesday afternoon. The institutions expresses great shock the devastation the continuous downpour has caused on the country in the process claiming 48 lives and leaving at least 70, 000 people displaced nationwide and several property destroyed.

“We have learnt with sadness that 15 districts including Rumphi, Machinga, Mangochi, Salima, Mulanje, Karonga, Phalombe, Nsanje and Chikhwawa have been adversely affected with this catastrophe. We at CHRR and Cedep offer our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and pray that their souls rest in peace.”

For this problem the two institutions said it is for no doubt that Malawi is in a crisis that requires urgent and robust solutions in the best interest of the nation not only from government but also all key stakeholders including the civil society, faith community, media, international community and others.

Trapence&Mtambo

The executive directors for CHRR and Cedep Timothy Mtambo and Gift Trapence respectively who signed the statement applauds government, all stakeholders both locally and internationally, who responded swiftly in providing various forms of assistance to the victims.

“We also commend President Peter Mutharika for taking lead in government’s response to this emergency by amongst other things appealing for concerted, unified efforts from all stakeholders to ensure that all prevailing problems resulting from this catastrophe are sorted out. We therefore would like to join hands with the President and the government by appealing for increased national and global response to help in alleviating the problem at hand bearing in mind that human rights issues are at stake due to the catastrophe.”

The two institutions however, have urged government to come up with clear transparent, monitoring mechanisms to ensure that all resources meant for such purposes reach the intended targeted people.

On Tuesday 13^th January 2015, in accordance with powers conferred upon him by Section 32(1) of the Disaster Preparedness and Relief Act, President Professor Peter Mutharika declared all the districts that have been affected by floods Disaster Areas, with immediate effect.

Pres. Mutharika (Pic by State House Malawi)

“I mourn with those that have lost relatives as a results of these heavy rains. And I pray for the souls of our departed brothers and sisters to rest in peace.” Said president Mutharika

President Mutharika noted that Government has started to provide assistance to the displaced households and that Malawi Defence Force has already been requested to undertake rescue operations using boats. The president however, indicated that assessment of the impact of the floods is a problem currently because most of the affected areas are inaccessible “T/A Mlolo, for example, is inaccessible and a lot of people need to be rescued to higher ground as they are stranded.”

President Mutharika further appealed for humanitarian assistance, from the International donor community, the relevant United Nations agencies, the Non Governmental Organisations, the local private sector as well as all citizens of goodwill.

“Together, we can contribute in alleviating suffering on the part of people affected by the floods.” He said but assured that Government will see to it that relief assistance is provided to all the affected people in the affected districts.

Some parts of the country, especially in the Southern Region, have experienced a lot of heavy rainfall since last week. This rainfall has resulted in heavy flooding where a lot of people’s houses and household property have been damaged rendering the affected households displaced and some people have also lost their lives as a result of the floods.

Currently number of affected people is increasing making relief requirements also to increase it is clear that additional resources are required to provide assistance to all the affected people.