Parliament At Standstill: Staff on Strike

Parliament At Standstill

All staff at Malawi National Assembly have began strike demanding government to honor their demand of 24% pay hike.

Workers are outside playing various games including football and many of them dressed in red clothing.

Loud music being played from the speakers outside the National Assembly.

President for the Parliamentary Staff Union Leonard Tilingamawa in an interview said "Government is not meeting our demands we submitted our conditions of services after an approval by Parliamentary Service Commission of 24% as an average. When that was submitted to Treasury there they said could not effect that and they gave us 10% so we refused that offer and on yesterday they came back with a proposal of 18% and we are saying we don't want the 18% they are offering us." He said

The situation has forced members of parliament to go back home. But it is not known of the National Assembly is to meet this afternoon.

All parliament doors including Ministers entrance are closed leaving only the main entrance into the national assembly but no one is allowed to enter into the Parliament.

"I've been in Parliament for 25 years I have never seen this embarrassment this shows that government ignores other arms of government and they don't care listen to demands by government staff." Said Uladi Mussa a Leader of Peoples Party in Parliament

No More Importation, Exportation of Round Wood

Stakeholders appearing before Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources and Climate Change have imposed a ban effective Monday 2nd February 2015 on Round Wood one of the endangered species.

The ban also suspends the licenses people used in importation and exportation of Round Wood from Zambia and from any other country.

Cash gate Suspect Namata Wants to Restitute money

Cash gate Suspect Namata Wants to Restitute money

The convicted Maxwell Namata in a case of theft and money laundering of up to K24.1 million is in a process of giving back the stolen money.

The Lilongwe High Court on Wednesday 21 January found guilty two Cashgate suspects Maxwell Namata guilty of money laundering and theft of K14.4 million from the said K24.1 million and co-accused Luke Kasamba was found guilty of laundering the full K24.1 million.

Lawyer for Namata Wapona Kita who was on Monday supposed to present defense submissions on sentencing, told the court that "There are some facts not ready with us" and asked for 10 days to submit them.

But the High Court judge Justice Anabel Mtalimanja gave the defense two days and adjourned the matter to Wednesday 4th February, for the defense to submit their prepared documents. The judge said 10 more days would be a torture to the convicts currently spending their time pending sentence at Maula prison.

Outside the court when Kita was asked reasons for asking the court for time, revealed "We want to restitute the money" which the accused is alleged to have stolen.

He said when the defense would be arguing on leniency on sentence for the accused, they want to make submissions with some receipts as evidence that apart from being a first time offender Namata has also shown sign of remorse by restituting the money.

He however mentioned that with time given if the restitution process fails the defense will stick to readily arguments.

According to the evidence provided in the court during previous trials, the two defrauded public money through cheques the ministry of tourism issued two times yet the recipients did not supplying any service. The two cheques were deposited into Cross Marketing Limited bank account. 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.

62 Dead, 153 Missing, 20,000 Rescued; Kasaila Reports in Parliament

62 Dead, 153 Missing, 20,000 Rescued; Kasaila Reports in Parliament

The Leader of Malawi National Assembly Honorable Francis Lazaro Kasaila said floods that have hit the country from the onset of the first rains during rainy season for this year have claimed 62 lives and 153 still missing.

Kasaila was addressing the House on Monday as the Members of Parliament were beginning the first sitting for the 3rd Meeting (Budget Review) of 45th Session.

He said search for the missing persons is underway and currently 20,000 victims were rescued. He mentioned that the South African government has brought in two helicopters for the task of distribution of food and other humanitarian assistance and added that World Bank will assist Malawi government with US$600,000 towards the replanting of lost crops destroyed by the floods.

Commenting on the statement, Leader of Opposition Dr. Lazarus Chakwera President for Malawi Congress Party (MCP) thanked government for being quick in its response when the disaster hit 15 districts. He also appreciated humanitarian assistance coming from all organizations responding to government calls and other calls being made by other International organizations.

People’s Party (PP) Leader in the house Hon Uladi Musa also thanked government for ensuring that flood victims from all areas and districts are being reached out with much needed humanitarian assistance.

And United Democratic Front (UDF) Leader in the House Hon Lucius Banda also appreciated government and all other institutions and individuals that are supporting the victims and expressed his heartfelt condolences to those that lost their lives.

After leaders of the political parties, Members of Parliament also took to the floor commenting on the statement made by the Leader of House and urged government and all well-wishers to continue support the flood victims.

CSOs Dates Law Makers on Passing Trafficking in Persons Bill, Minimum Marriage Age Bill

CSOs Dates Law Makers on Passing Trafficking in Persons Bill, Minimum Marriage Age Bill

Several Civil Society Organisations working in the fight for Women and Children rights on Monday engaged members of Parliament encouraging them to pass two bills 'The Marriage, Divorce and Family Relations Bill of 2015 and Trafficking in Persons Bill.

Among others members were individually approached to emphasize that the two bills are very important for the best interest of Malawians because they will help to support traditional leader's efforts to stop marriages below the age of 18. And they have strength to curb human trafficking which Malawi is being rated a country registering highest incidences due to lack of specific anti trafficking legislation and porous borders. CSOs indicates that in 2014 alone, there were 2000 estimated cases of trafficking, with 500 police cases that have been handled by various partners.

Programme Officer for Women's Legal Legal Resource Centre (WOLREC) Mr. Gift Mauluka said two bills are on the order paper and wanted to interact with all members of parliament highlighting them "importance and advantages of passing the bills"

He said CSOs are proposing the marriage age to be above 18 years but members can even reach a bold decision to raise the age to 21 "even under consent of parents"

"We want the bill to be above the current age of 15 because of the complications that come about if a person is under that age and when they are in a marriage. We feel that 18 years is  comfortable age to say that a person can be in a marriage and can give birth properly"

Mauluka said of the Marriage Bill "As advocates we don't see a lot of contentious issues that need do be re-looked for it it to be passed. Very often the Law is not 100% positive, but currently the bill as it is we feel it is in good position to be passed"

ECM AMECEA Thanks Giving Mass; Credits the Faithful, Zuza & MW Govt for Supporting the Plenary

ECM AMECEA Thanks Giving Mass; Credits the Faithful, Zuza & MW Govt for Supporting the Plenary 

Arch Bishop Thomas Msusa
Photo by ECM Communications

The Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) has recognized the role Catholic faithful, all Malawians, individuals and government played for the support towards the successful hosting for the 18th Plenary of Association for Member Episcopal Conferences for East Africa (AMECEA) last year in July.

During the Thanks Giving Mass for the successful hosting of AMECEA Plenary on Saturday at Don Bosco Parish in the Arch Diocese of Lilongwe, the newly elected chairman for ECM His Grace Arch Bishop Thomas Msusa said the church in Malawi has been the envy for the AMECEA region for the successful host of the conference between 16th to 26th July 2014. 

He among others said the church did well in preparations, hosting delegates and ensure that everything went on as planned to the last hour of the conference. He said this was dedication and cooperation by the faithful a positive spirit shoeing that the church in Malawi can do more.

Arch Bishop Thomas Msusa
Photo by ECM Communications

“As we are thanking God for the successful host of AMECEA conference, we also have to remember all those who worked tirelessly ensuring that we have a very successful conference.” said Msusa in his introductory remarks at the beginning of the mass, “We Catholic Bishops are very grateful that this success came from all of you and all other groups in the church. You really made us proud hosting that event” 

Part of Congregation

Arch Bishop Msusa also attributed successful host of AMECEA conference to the wise leadership of the late Bishop Joseph Mukasa Zuza who at that time as a chairman for ECM provided various oversight roles that enabled the church to take a good path for hosting the conference and asked the congregation to remember him in prayers.

Congregation asked to Pray for
Late Bishop Zuza

Msusa further thanked the Malawi government for supporting the church during the time of the conference particularly on security of all the delegates from AMECEA region.

The Chairman noted “a very big contribution to the success of the plenary” the support to the church from State President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika towards the conference using his pocket money.

He also expressed gratitude for the continued support to the church by the Vice President of Malawi Hon. Saulosi Chilima. The Arch Bishop said from start, Chilima helped the church in mobilizing resources for the conference.

Chilima appreciated for his support 

Collections for the mass were dedicated towards the help of flood victims of all the affected 15 districts and Bishop Msusa reminded priests, religious and the faithful to set aside Sunday 8th February 2015, as a special day for collections towards assistance of flood victims and appealed for more donation of cash or basic needs like food (non perishable), kitchen utensils, clothes among others.. He also reminded that all items collected at parishes should be brought to the Bishop’s House by Saturday 14th February 2015 for records and forwarding to the affected people.

At the end of the Mass representatives from all eight dioceses were given a book containing agreements made by Bishops during the 18th Plenary for AMECEA so that the message is taken to all the people. 

Chilima and madam Chilima exiting from
Don Bosco church 

The Thanks Giving Mass was attended by the vice president of the republic of Malawi honorable Saulosi Chilima

Malawi Catholic Bishops Elects Msusa ECM Chairman, Chimombo Acting Secretary, Fr. Buleya CUNIMA Vice Chancellor

Malawi Catholic Bishops Elects Msusa ECM Chairman, Chimombo Acting Secretary, Fr. Buleya CUNIMA Vice Chancellor

Arch Bishop Thomas Luke Msusa 

The first Annual Plenary Meeting of Episcopal Conference of  Malawi  convened from 26th to 30th January 2015 has elected Arch Bishop for Blantyre Arch Diocese His Grace Thomas Luke Msusa as its Chairman.

The new chairman has been unveiled on Saturday 31st January 2015 at Don Bisco Parish in the Arch Diocese of Lilongwe during the Thanks Giving Mass celebrations for the successful conference of 18th Plenary for Association for Member Episcopal Conferences for East Africa (AMECEA) held last year in July.

During the congregation other office bearers were also announced including the Acting Secretary General for ECM Fr. Emmanuel Chimombo and Vice Chancellor for Catholic University Fr. George Buleya who is taking the post from Professor Anacklet Phiri.

Fr. George Buleya walking upper
Stairs on the right side 

Arch Bishop Msusa is taking the post from the late Bishop Joseph Mukasa Zuza of Mzuzu diocese who passed away early this year during a car accident. Msusa served as Vice chairman for ECM and later Acting Chairman following Bishop Zuza's death.

In an interview ECM Acting Secretary General Fr. Emmanuel Chimombo clarified that the election of Arch Bishop Msusa follows ECM statutes and not the result of death of Bishop Joseph Zuza.

Fr. Chimombo walking to the left

"Episcopal Conference of Malawi statutes stipulates that every three years elections be held to fill in new office bearers, so 2015 was an election year." He said, "It was coincidence that these elections happened few weeks after the death of the sitting chairman late bishop Zuza."

The chairmanship for Episcopal Conference of Malawi and other posts are valid for three years but one can be elected for two consecutive time.

The other officers elected to run various institutions for ECM for the next three years are; Vice chairman and Bishop Chairman for the Catholic Education Commission His Lordship Bishop Martin Mtumbuka, Bishop Chairman for Catholic Secretariat His Grace Arch Bishop Tarsizio Ziyaye, Bishop Chairman for Pastoral Commission and Chairman for the Health Commission His Lordship Bishop Peter Musikuwa,

Bishop Chairman for Ecumenism and Interfaith Dialogue His Lordship Bishop Emmanuel Kanyama and Bishop Chairman for the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace His Lordship Bishop Montfort Sitima.