Blantyre City Central Legislature Themba Mkandawire Gets 90 Days Suspension in Parliament

Blantyre City Central Legislature Themba Mkandawire Gets 90 Days Suspension in Parliament

 

 Blantyre City Central Parliamentarian Themba Mkandawire will miss any Parliamentary proceedings and meetings for three months effective this Friday.

The suspension has been announced on Friday 27^th February 2015 by Speaker of National Assembly Hon. Richard Msowoya following pressure from opposition members on Thursday who demanded the speaker to take a decisive action before the House rise sine die.

On Tuesday afternoon, hon Themba Mkandawire punched and headbutted a helpless Head of Usher’s in Parliament Jones Sabola for refusing to give the parliamentarian an extra 2015 Parliament calendar.

The ruling effected this Friday morning restrains the legislature from attending any Parliamentary Service for 90 days, that is will miss all Committee Meetings and will not attend Parliament Meeting if convenes within the period.

Mkandawire has been heavily criticized by his fellow parliamentarians who described the conduct as unparliamentary and others called it “Criminal”

Anti-Human Trafficking Rights Activists Smile at Passing of Trafficking in Persons Bill

Anti-Human Trafficking Rights Activists Smile at Passing of Trafficking in Persons Bill

Human Rights Activists against human trafficking have expressed satisfaction upon the passing of Trafficking in Parsons Bill, a legislation which is going to punish all those found doing any illegal transportation of persons for exploitation.

Maxwell Matewere President for Southern Africa Network against Trafficking and Child Abuse (SANTAC) said “I am very excited that the members of parliament and government have responded positively to our call for Malawi to enact the law which will curtail human trafficking.”

“For some time we have behave as if we don’t care about the suffering that goes through with human trafficking.” He said, “We have witnessed so many cases where the victims have ended up losing their organs and life. So human trafficking is very associated with an imaginable abuse and violence’s and now when we witness the enactment of this important bill it really brings hope to Malawians and us service providers.”

“In addition this makes it easier for the prosecutors in the police so that all that will be found trafficking a person shall be charged and tried through this important human trafficking legislation” said Matewere

Reacting to the same, Habiba Osman Gender Justice Programme coordinator for Norwegian Church appreciated all legislatures for passing the long waited bill “As part and parcel of the team and players that has been involved in issues of addressing anti-trafficking interventions I am very excited for this historical occasion that has happened in the House”

Speaking of her expectations following the passing of the bill Osman said “Our expectations are that now those faceless victims, those survivors as well as our law enforcement agencies will be able to do their work properly because our cry has been that the victim has not been given adequate support, our cry has been that how can traffickers be walking without any fines or penalties.”

She added “This law will make sure that all those people that are trafficking others are punished adequately and they are compensating even the victim so this is also a law that is going to be a victim centered”

Opposition Parliamentarians Wants Fellow Legislature Punished By Speaker

Opposition Legislature’s Irked by Speaker’s Delay in Punishing Blantyre City Central Temba Mkandawire for Assaulting an Usher

Some of the Members of Opposition in the National Assembly took to task Second Deputy Speaker Hon. Clement Chiwaya over the delay of Speaker’s ‘appropriate action’ towards their fellow honorable member for Blantyre City Central Constituency Themba Mkandawire.

Hon. Mkandawire on Tuesday afternoon immediately the House was suspended for lunch break, assaulted a Parliamentary Usher over a 2015 calendar. The parliamentarian punched and headbutted the Usher, Jones Sabola for refusing to give another calendar.

Lilongwe Mpenu legislature Hon. Leonard Makalangozo expressed worry that as the house expects to rise sine die this Friday, it is apparent that unparliamentarily behavior by hon. Mkandawire will just be let free since the house shall possibly meet in June for another session. He also asked why the speaker is delaying to report to the House what appropriate punishment has been given to Mkandawire.

“As you are aware the matter is being handled by the speaker’s office and the communication shall be made as of what action has been taken.” Said Chiwaya, “So far that decision has not been communicated to us I would therefore like to request that until such decision has been made we proceed with the business.”

The explanation by Second Deputy Speaker did not carry substance to other parliamentarians including Hon. Lingson Belekanyama, a Lilongwe Msinja South parliamentarian who rise on point of order saying “This is a very sad thing which has taken place in this House.” “This is a criminal case!” he added

“This is honorable House, we need to behave exemplary and not come here as boxers fighting in this chamber. And it is very sad to fight, to kick this member off staff…,” he went on “We were supposed to have a committee of inquiry, to inquire on what really transpired for this member of Parliament to punch the member of staff. We cannot condone such behavior in this House…, This is Criminal case!”

“This assault which has taken place in this House needs to be handled with special care, since we are rising tomorrow then we go and wait till sometime in June or July that’s not on, we need this issue be tabled today and tomorrow have a report in this House”

Leader of the House Hon. Francis Kasaila suspended the matter following his call for a meeting with all political party leaders at the speaker’s office immediately the house adjourns to find out what is happening.

MSB Not For Sale

Parliament Block the Sale Until Committee Give a Go Ahead

The National Assembly has passed a motion restraining government from continuing with plans to sale Malawi Savings Bank (MSB) until determination is made by a relevant Committee if the sale of the bank is a necessary move.

On Thursday, Dowa West Parliamentarian Hon Dzonzi Kusamba brought in the House a motion during Private Members Motion where he moved that the House should resolve that the Sale of Malawi Savings Bank Limited be pended for the time being and that the matter be referred to the relevant Committee of Parliament (Budget Committee) for it to consult with stakeholders and report to the House.

When moving the motion, Dzonzi said the noble objectives of Post Office Savings Bank now Malawi Savings Bank Limited (MSB) established in 1910 by the colonial government are intact and yet to be achieved.

“But how can we achieve them if the Bank runs into private hands whose objective will be pure “profiteering”. Inquired hon. Kusamba who alleged the sale of Malawi Saving Bank Limited is propagated by few selfish individuals

Malawi government is planning to sale MSB for Conditionality of World Bank (WB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF), that Malawi Government should not be running businesses such as bank and that MSB Ltd does not meet the requirement of BASEL II instituted by the Reserve Bank of Malawi (a framework that has been put in place to assist banks manage financial risks well by maintaining a certain level of capital, currently a minimum capital for banks at an equivalent of US$5million) 

Dowa West Legislature has argued that WB and IMF condition is “fraudulent” and achaic type of reasoning which denies Government to ably discharge its duties of providing social-economic services to the rural communities which may appear unprofitable in the eyes of private hands. 

On BASEL II, he said MSB meets the minimum capital requirement but slightly falls short to meet the optimum capital requirement in order to meet the prescribed liquidity and capital adequacy ratios. He even indicated that Malawi can do without implementation of BASEL II just like neighboring economies that are stronger and better than Malawi’s economy.

“The question on the same is this “why was BASEL I jumped from implementation? Why is Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) forcing local banks to comply with BASEL II without an opportunity of orientation BASEL I would have offered.”

Hon. Kusamba also named “Accumulated Bad Debts” as major reasons that is eroding the bank’s Capital. With certainty he pointed “bulk of the bank’s non-performing loans” belong to Mulli Brothers Limited. 

He said the remedy is that Government should intervene by having Mulli Brothers Ltd repay the debt and that the Bank should take over the assets against which Mulli Brothers Limited loan was taken on.

 “It is an open secret, that the Mulli Brothers Ltd was granted the Loan in question when DPP was in power and now that DPP is in power again, the Government wants the Bank sold, Really?” queried the parliamentarian while concluding that there is no need for Malawians lose a National Treasure just because Government “completely lacks any political will” to mitigate on this questionable sale.

When debating the motion, Minister of Finance Goodall Gondwe clarified that it is not true that only Muli owe the bank as alleged by the member. He also promised an update of what is happening on that matter.

Goondwe irked members in the House when he mentioned that the matter of selling the bank at this time can only best be handled by lawyers and not National Assembly. “This is a legal matter it is not as easy as you think” 

Without delay, Salima South Parliamentarian hon. Uladi Mussa rise on point of order “The statement from the minister to say parliament is useless leaves a lot to be desired” he said, “Does the Minister know that parliament can impeach president? What is Malawi Savings Bank?”

Surprisingly, Leader of House Hon. Francis Kasaila also registered his support against sale of the bank “We in the business Committee of the house agreed that we need to bring this issue in the House so that the sale of the bank is done in transparent process.” He added that People from his Constituency are also against the sale of the bank.

Other parliamentarians including Salima North West, Jessie Kabwira and Salima Central, Felix Jumbe, in support of the motion as moved by Dowa West, said Malawi has been ranked one of the poorest countries because of such poor decisions which robe citizens “greatest treasure”. 

PSC Blame Govt On Parliamentary Staff Strike

PSC Blame Govt On Parliamentary Staff Strike

Striking worker carrying banner of 24% pay

The Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) has accused ”The Executive” for being not serious with views of the National Assembly representatives when Parliamentary Staff were demanding 24% salary hike.

The report of the PSC to Parliament on the Parliamentary Staff strike staged from February 3rd and 4th, 2015, has concluded that during negotiations on the matter, Government did not take seriously the grievances presented by the Parliamentary Staff representatives a development which led to the strike of workers.

“It was noted that even after being told of the serious challenges that Parliamentary Staff endure, they were not ready to offer solutions” claims the report presented on Thursday evening by Lilongwe Msozi South, Commissioner Hon. Vitus Dzoole Mwale.

“All what they were propagating was the issue of salary harmonization. This is what annoyed parliamentary Staff when communicated of the outcome the meeting because they felt that the issue of salary harmonization is being done against the prevailing Laws of Malawi; namely Parliamentary Service Act, which establishes the Service under an own Commission” 

The Commission has therefore recommended government the importance of attaching seriousness to discussions if strikes of such nature are to be avoided

“In future” whenever there are issues to be discussed between the two parties, PSC said Parliament is of the view that commitment to dialogue is the only way to go to prevent the situations escalating into strikes thereby disturbing Government Business.

The Parliamentary Commission is the body corporate that is mandated to look into the Conditions of Service for Members of Staff backed by Section 20 of the Parliamentary Service Act No. 35 of 1998. Current membership is chaired by Speaker of National Assembly Hon. Richard Msowoya and has other four members 

Negotiations for pay rise for the Parliamentary Staff began in 2014 when workers realized that their Conditions of Service were last revised in 2001. Parliamentary Service Commission determined a 24% salary increment and a letter was send to Department of Human Resources Management and Development on 12th November 2014 to effect the implementation of the salary increment as approved by the Commission.

However Government made an offer reflecting an average of 6% increment which the Parliamentary Staff Union categorically refused to accept. Then negotiations were held for so many times until Government on 2nd February 2015, approved an average increment of 18%, an offer which was also rebuffed by the Union consequently resolved to proceed with the strike until 24% was given.

On 4th February 2015, Government rescinded its earlier decision and committed to give Parliamentary Staff an increment of 24% in phases where phase one government will be paying 18%. The remaining 6% will be paid in arrears during next budget year in July and the matter was put on writing by the Deputy Chief Secretary to the Government Mr. Willie Samute.

Malawi President Asks Malawian Men and Boys “Join Me in solidarity to achieve gender equality and women empowerment”;

Pres Mutharika Launch He for She Campaign

Mutharika

The Malawi State President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has called all men and boys to be the champions for gender equality and women empowerment campaign dubbed ‘He for She Campaign’ which has been launched on Thursday at Parliament Building in the capital Lilongwe.

‘He for She Campaign’ a UN Women solidarity movement for gender equality seeks to encourage Malawian men and boys to support and empower women in all aspects of life in order to gender based violence.

Speaking at the launch marking the kick start of the campaign President Mutharika said the campaign has come at a right time because it will strength his “government drive and commitment to gender equality and women empowerment.” Adding that it also provides opportunity for resourcelization of men and boys to support and promote women and girls empowerment.

As he officially launched the campaign Mutharika called upon men and boys in Malawi to join him in solidarity to achieve gender equality and women empowerment

“I am calling upon all men and boys to be champions for ‘He for She Campaign’,” he said “I am Champion number one and I expect all men and boys in Malawi to join me” and later added “Real men should commit themselves by signing the He for She Campaign!”

The Malawi president has emphasized that women empowerment is not only a woman’s problem but it is a human rights issue which calls for full support and participation of “all men and boys”

He reiterated his government commitment to achieve provisions of the Gender Equality Act, SADC Protocol on Gender and Development and African Union Charter for the Rights of Women.

Mutharika

The Malawi leader who has labeled himself as ‘Champion number one’ for ‘He for She Campaign’ urged Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare to ensure that 2015 year of women be marked with number of activities which promotes gender equality and women empowerment and the rights as Africa moves towards achievement of 2063 African Union Agenda which aims at narrowing the gap between men and women.

Mutharika acknowledged with sadness the existence of gap between men and women in various sectors including education, employment sector and politics “It is also unfortunate that men and boys tend to strongly oppose the efforts being made to level the playing field for equal competition”

“I urge every Malawian man and boy in particular to reverse the trend and we should be the ones to encourage our sisters, daughters and mothers and aunts to carry the mantle and run ahead of us.”

He emphasized that gender equality and women empowerment is the tool for achieving the sustainable development of Malawi. He added that various institutions including parliament and civil society are the conduits for a conducive legal and policy environment for the effective efficient attainment of gender equality and women empowerment in Malawi.

Before making his speech President Mutharika, followed by his vice Saulos Chilima, Leader of Opposition Lazarus Chakwera, male Cabinet Ministers, Legislatures and all men present at the event signed a campaign pledged which reads “I Promise never to commit, condone, or remain silent about violence against girls. I promise to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment”

Mutharika said for signing the pledge he is committed to promote gender equality and women empowerment “This gesture I face my zeal to ensure that women and men are equal” in all sectors of life.

Alice Harding Shackelford a country representative for UN Women in Malawi also emphasized that Gender equality is everyone’s and every government’s business for the

“Gender equality is a must for economic development, leaving 50% out of the cohesion is not a smart economy” she said, adding that women and girls be empowered and protected from any forms of gender based violence hence men should take lead.

The ‘He for She campaign’ is being represented with purple color for Loyalty and Peace, White color for Purity and Love and Red color for ‘no’ to gender violence.

Malawi National Assembly Passes Trafficking in Persons Bill

Malawi National Assembly Passes Trafficking in Persons Bill

The Malawi National Assembly on Wednesday afternoon passed Trafficking in Persons Bill.

Passing of the bill gives Malawians hope of an end or reduction of cases of human trafficking which have been on the increase due to lack of specific legislation to curb such illegal practice and porous borders . 

Recent media reports indicate not long ago this year, 13 children the youngest being 6 years old were trafficked from Zomba to Mozambique. And in Phalombe district, Police have been involved in rescue operations with Mozambican authorities where more than 124 children have been rescued and it is alleged that some of these had their genitals mutilated.

A lot of children and girls in Malawi have been vulnerable to trafficking due to poverty, domestic violence and child-headed homes as well as lack of economic opportunities. Such trafficked children have been experiencing various forms of exploitation including forced labour, forced prostitution, domestic slavery and body organs.

Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Hon. Paul Chibingu when presenting the Bill in the House emphasized that the bill will address number of issues that emerged due to lack of proper law. He said the Bill seeks to protect and promote rights of vulnerable people especially children and girls who are the most target of traffickers who uses deception or force for the purpose of exploitation.

Hon Chibingu indicated that the legislation has several stiffer penalties including imprisonment sentences which some of the longest ones are more than 20 years of imprisonment. He said such penalties will effectively protect children of Malawi from being trafficked as it has been the case. 

Since Malawi was the only country in the SADC region without proper legislation on Trafficking, the Minister further said when the bill is enacted into law there will be a better collaboration between Malawi and its neighboring countries in combating trafficking as well as in prosecution of such cases.

“This bill will assist the country especially in our courts, they have been having problems in dealing with human trafficking cases just because we had no proper law of governing courts in terms of passing sentences” said Chibingu “But this time around, once this bill becomes a law our courts will have a uniform way of discharging the justice and imposing penalties for to be offenders.”

Spokespersons for political parties in the House, from Malawi Congress Party (MCP), People’s Party (PP) and United Democratic Front (UDF) all supported the bill.

During the general debate some members while supporting the bill they also raised a number of issues among them on the need to strengthen security in all border districts where human trafficking is rampant and that issuing of national identification cards is necessary.

But the Internal Security Minister has assured parliamentarians that government is making sure that security is tight in all the districts and that before end of 2015 government will commence issuing national identity cards as another way of preventing human trafficking.