LL High Court Finds Namata, Kasamba Guilty in Cashgate Case

LL High Court Finds Namata, Kasamba Guilty in Cashgate Case

The Lilongwe High Court has found guilty two Cashgate suspects Maxwell Namata and Luke Kasamba on cases they have been answering for money laundering and theft of government money.

Sentence on 2 February at 2 pm

On Wednesday the two appeared before Justice Annabel Mtalimanja on charges of theft and money laundering of up to K24.1 million from Ministry of Tourism through cheques the ministry issued two times yet the recipients did not supplying any service. The two cheques were deposited into Cross Marketing Limited bank account.

Namata has been found guilty of theft up to K14.4 million and money laundering of the said amount, while Luke Kasamba was found guilty of laundering K24.1 million.

Maxwell Namata for two times deposited Cheque amounting to K9.7 Million and K14.4 million got from Ministry of Tourism into Cross Marketing Limited bank account and Luke Kasamba a manager for the company was responsible for the withdrawal of the deposited money and handed it over to Namata.

Namata was found guilty on money laundering and theft of K14.4 million but no evidence found his link on K9.7 million. Kasamba was found guilty of laundering K24.1 million because he was responsible in the transfer of the funds.

Meanwhile laywers from both sides have been asked by the court to make submissions on sentencing by 29^th January.

The two will start spending their night at Maula Prison.

Private Security Companies Guidelines Formulation Begins

Private Security Companies Guidelines Formulation Begins

Government security agents together with government Ministries are in a two day meeting to formulate Guidelines for the operations of Private Security Companies so that this fast growing industry is properly regulated.

Since 2001 several attempts were made by Malawi Government to put in place guidelines for the industry but failed to do so. Lack of the guidelines has led to unregulated security company business and in very often times some of the security companies have been providing poor security service to customers.

Principle Secretary for Internal Security Mr. Often Thyolani when opening the meeting on Wednesday said the guidelines seek to address continued poor security service most companies are providing to customers.

He said the guidelines will ensure that people are following procedures of setting up the security company, security companies are offering adequate and proper security training, reasonable remuneration, proper recruitment, and ensure that security companies have adequate security equipments.

“Every game has rules just like football, for a long time the security companies have been operating without guidelines.”  Said Thyolani

He noted that due to the growing concerns of security in the country private security companies can play a crucial role in supporting Malawi Police Service in combating criminal activities. “We need private security companies to fill the security gaps.” He said, but bemoaned that the way security companies operate leaves a lot to be desired hence the need to formulate the guidelines that will help to end unprofessionalism characterized by most security companies.

He mentioned that theft cases happening in the country have in most cases been linked with security guards. He said this has been the case due to poor pay by security company owners and inadequate trainings.

Thyolani therefore pointed out that the guidelines will also set minimum wage to ensure discipline among security guards “Lack of reasonable remuneration is influencing security guards to find other means to help themselves. They steal at their workplaces, sometimes guards may connive with criminals to steal the very things they protect. We have numerous cases on this.” he said.

Earlier, Commissioner of Police Director of Research and Planning Dr George Kainja made similar remarks by Thyolani on the importance of regulating the private security companies so that they effectively support police in provision of security in the country “Security is prerogative of government but police cannot handle security matters alone we need to partner with private security companies but must be guided”

He added “The best way if we are to move forward in fighting crime, is where we begin to work together with security companies but we need to look at hiccups making private security companies not to do their job in efficient manner. So this is why we decided to come up with something that can guide the conduct of security companies” and mentioned that after the meeting there will be consultation meetings with security companies on the guidelines.

Officials from Malawi Police Service, Malawi Defense Force (MDF), and government ministries of Justice and Constitution Affairs, and Ministry of Labour are in those that are in the meeting.

71 Ethiopians Gets 3 months Imprisonment

Tobe Deported at the End of Jail Sentence

Dowa First Grade magistrate Court has sentenced 71 Ethiopian nationals to serve 3 months imprisonment with hard labour and that after their jail term government should deport them all.

The court also fined them K5, 000 each.

The convicted Ethiopians included 40 people arrest in the dawn of Tuesday 7^th January and other 31 who were arrested on 15^th January this year by Dowa police officers at Mbalame village along Dowa Lumbadzi Road.  The arrests were made following tipoff from the members of the general public as police in the district were in a sweeping exercise.

On Monday Dowa First Grade Magistrate Amulani Phiri heard from two prosecutors Inspector Ivy Sangwa and Sergeant Agnes Mphinga that the Ethiopian nationals entered the country illegally and were trying to sneak into Dzaleka Refugee Camp.

All suspects admitted that they managed to enter the country from the help of some Malawians and other Ethiopian nationals who are also in police custody. They pleaded guilty to the offences of entering the country illegally.

The prosecutors pleaded with the court to impose a stiff punishment for others to get a lesson.

First Grade Magistrate Phiri concurred with the prosecutors that stiff punishment was necessary to deter the malpractice. Both Malawian and Ethiopian nationals who were in the business of aiding the Ethiopian nationals to enter the country illegally will also soon appear before court.

MISA Malawi Ask Pres Mutharika to Re-instate Tembo Back to MBC

MISA Malawi Ask Pres Mutharika to Re-instate Tembo Back to MBC

The Media Institute of Southern Africa – Malawi Chapter (MISA) has called upon the president Peter Mutharika to reverse what it call ‘atrocious decision’ on re-deployment of Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) Director General, Dr. Benson Tembo, to the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) for position of Technical Advisor.

The news broke last week that Director General of MBC, has been deployed to MACRA as Technical Advisor on digital migration with immediate effect.

According to the national broadcasters online report, Dr. Tembo on Friday bid farewell to Controllers and Directors of MBC where he said the new post is a secondment “I am being seconded to Macra so that means partly I am part of MBC but I will be with Macra where I will be advising on digital migration.”

In a statement Chairperson for MISA-Malawi Thom Khanje said Dr. Tembo has been earmarked for a subordinate position of Technical Advisor. Therefore the statement finds the removal of Dr. Tembo as retrogressive and a sign of continued political interference by the government in the operations of MBC as well as contrary to the promises by President Peter Mutharika in both his inaugural and first State of the Nation Address to Parliament in June and July 2014.

The chairperson says MISA-Malawi is surprised that such a decision concerning an employee of MBC has been made by the executive arm of the government and not the MBC board of directors who are the legal employers of the Director General as stipulated in Section 92, subsection 1 of the Communications Act of 1998 which reads: “The Board of MBC shall appoint a Director General, who shall be the chief executive officer of MBC.”

“MISA-Malawi therefore calls upon the president to reverse this atrocious decision on Dr. Tembo and let the MBC board independently assess his performance for possible re-engagement when his contract expires in April this year” reads the statement

The statement also call upon the president to always make sure that he lives by his words and desist from making decisions that are contrary to his promises.

“We remind the president of his stated commitments that his government “shall ensure that Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) and the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) are professional and report to Parliament annually as required by law” (Inaugural Speech, June 2014) and that he “allow the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation operate in an open, free and fair manner, make independent editorial decisions and I don't want my Minister of Information to interfere in their work. This is a promise I make to Malawi. The era of using the Public Broadcaster for Political mileage is gone”(State of the Nation Address, July 2014).”

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MISA-Malawi in the statement re-affirms its standing position on the need for MBC to be freed from political interference by reviewing the Communications Act to turn the corporation into a public service broadcaster which serves the needs of all Malawians regardless of their political affiliation.

UNICEF to Airlift 90 Tones of Relief Supplies to Flood Victims

UNICEF to Airlift 90 Tones of Relief Supplies to Flood Victims

As heavy rains continue to fall in Malawi, UNICEF is stepping up its relief efforts, airlifting an initial 90 tons of supplies, as it seeks to reach those most in need. 

UNICEF in a statement released on Monday 19^th January 2015 says is this week airlifting 90 tons of relief supplies including: essential medicines, tents and tarpaulins, therapeutic food and milk for treating malnutrition, hygiene kits and education and play supplies to aid children’s psychosocial recovery.  

The statement has indicated that UNICEF is working through its teams on the ground in Blantyre and Zomba to deliver life-saving interventions to those in the hardest hit districts of Nsanje, Chikwawa and Phalombe all in the Shire River Basin.  

The response is focused on displaced women and children, the UN Children’s Agency is supporting partners including the Government of Malawi, to provide clean water and temporary sanitation, monitor the nutritional status of children - and treat severe cases - and distribute essential medicines for women and children.   

“After surveying the flooded districts from the air, we know that the scale of flooding is immense, and with the rains still falling, the water is unlikely to recede quickly,” said UNICEF’s Representative in Malawi, Mahimbo Mdoe in the statement.  “UNICEF is focused in this initial phase on ensuring those who have survived the raging waters are supported with their essential needs such as clean water and health care.”

Mdoe said UNICEF will be quick in its response to reach displaced communities with clean water, sanitation and medical supplies because stagnant water and poor sanitation can be deadly for young children.

The Malawi Government is leading the coordination mechanism for response initiatives with UN Agencies and NGOs as co-leads.

Heavy rains this season, has left over 50 people dead and government estimate 27,000 households (approx 135,000 people) to have been displaced since the floods hit the country. Reports are indicating that some families are still trapped in areas surrounded by water, waiting for air or water rescue by the Malawi Defence Force (MDF). Displaced communities are being housed in schools or ad hoc camps, with a shortage of decent shelter and sanitation facilities.

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.

Due to the increasing number of affected people making relief requirements also to increase, President Mutharika also 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 fellow citizens of goodwills as additional resources are required to provide assistance to all the affected people.

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.