Dowa Police Impounds Cannabis Transported in Jerry Cans

Police say Two Suspects Smuggled Indian Hemp in Cooking Oil Jerry Cans Were also Found with Two Sack Bags Containing the Illegal Herb

Two men who cleverly hidden Cannabis inside two cooking oil Jerry cans, have been caught by police in Dowa district.

The two suspects currently in police custody in Dowa, were also found with two sack bags containing Indian hemp as well, says Dowa Police Public Relations Officer Sergeant Richard Kaponda who identified the two as January Banda aged 26 from Kasiya village, T/A Wimbe in Kasungu district and Maxwell Phiri aged 32 from Ntupila village, T/A Kayembe in Dowa district.

The arrest happened on Tuesday 3rd March 2015 at Dowa roadblock when the two were on their way to Capital Lilongwe from Kasungu district.

The Police officer told this reporter that the two who were in a vehicle, were stopped at Dowa Police roadblock for normal inspection, however Police officers on duty were suspicious of two 20 litre Cooking oil Jerry Cans.

Sgt Kaponda

"At first Police thought they were carrying cooking oil, when the Jerry cans were opened, it was discovered that were full of Indian hemp"


Police say, the hemp is weighing over 150 kilograms.


"The confiscated cannabis sativa will soon be taken to Chitedze Research Station for testing, but the duo will appear in court soon to answer on offence of found in possession of Indian hemp." says Sgt. Kaponda

PP Wants Prudence In Implementation of 2014/2015 Supplementary Budget

PP Wants Prudence in Implementation of 2014/2015 Supplementary Budget

Jooma: Standing 

Peoples Party (PP) has stressed importance that government be prudent when implementing 2014/2015 Supplementary Budget which has extra K32 billion. 

Spokesperson for the party on Finance matters in Parliament hon. Ralph Jooma says government should endeavor to utilise and channel the resources as passed by the National Assembly last week for the benefit of the rural poor.

Tuesday last week National Assembly authorized the government to use total sum of K769.2 billion following passing of the Supplementary Appropriation Bill of 2014/2015 financial year.

"As PP we understood the reasons why the Finance Minister was asking for extra resources" said Jooma, who singled out depreciation of Kwacha in the middle of implementation of the budget and debt interest for statutory expenditure as valid reasons that government gave the House to pass the extra resources.

He said, it was necessary that following depreciation of Malawi Kwacha the House had to approve extra resources for government to obtain the same value of the approved budget as well as enable government to meet some of the commitments like FISP and others in full.

"Finance Minister was asking for K32 billion extra money which we have just approved in the House because we are satisfied that he had to get that money in order to implement budget as a whole.”

“Our advice to government is that they should make sure that this money should go for intended purpose, should be used to serve the votes that were intended to go but also to trickle down to the poor because at the end of the day it is the poor person in the remote area who we are concerned with.”

Opposition Parties Differ on 90 Days Suspension For Blantyre City Central Legislature:

MCP Opted Stiffer Penalty while PP, UDF Satisfied

The suspension of Blantyre City Central Constituency Legislature, Hon. Themba Mkandawire from participating any Parliamentary and all Committee Meetings for a period of 90 days has received mixed reactions among major political parties represented in the National Assembly.

On Friday, Speaker of National Assembly Richard Msowoya announced a 3 months suspension for hon. Mkandawire following Tuesday assault of a Parliamentary Head of Usher, Jones Sabola.

The legislature manhandled the Usher for refusing to give an extra 2015 Parliament calendar being distributed as the House was suspended for a lunch break.

Though all political parties agree and condemn the unparliamentarily act by hon. Themba, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) is categorically opposing the speakers ruling by calling it "Slap on the Wrist" while Peoples Party (PP) and United Democratic Front (UDF) says the 90 days suspension is a deserving one.

“To me that sounds almost a slap on the wrist” reacted Salima North West Legislature Jessie Kabwira, MCP spokesperson who also speaks for the party on matters of women in Parliament.

“We are talking about a relationship of power relations here, between staff and members of parliament. There is a reason why we are called Honorables, what he (Hon. Mkandawire) did is uncalled for and I think we needed to give him a sentence that sends a message that you never do such kind of a thing.”

“As a person from opposition am now worried if I say something which Themba Mkadawire or the ruling party doesn’t like" she said, "What is to stop him? Is 90 days going to stop him from doing what he did?”

“I think he needed a stiffer punishment"

She went on “Themba Mkandawire is not just from any other party, he is from the ruling party so what example are they giving us. Are they telling us that now when a Parliamentary Staff is giving us calendars they should be shaking because there is a ruling party Parliamentarian in this House? And added that the ruling party (Democratic Progressive Party DPP) should come open to make an apology for the embarrassing action done by its member.

Unlike MCP reaction, PP Leader in the House, hon. Uladi Mussa a Salima South Parliamentarian said “Am satisfied with the punishment given” though he said “His conduct is totally out of order and uncalled-for we didn't expect a member of parliament beating a parliamentary worker, this is a savage way of living”

“He was not supposed to beahave as if he is at a beer hall” said Mussa

Balaka North parliamentarian and Leader of UDF, Lucius Banda made similar sentiments of Hon. Mussa “It’s quite unfortunate that an honorable member of parliament could not contain the emotions, I think the most important thing for we politicians need to do is to learn to contain our emotions. Everybody gets angry but to go that far to a person who has lesser power standing in the society I think it will be seen as one is taking advantage of his position to do bad things. So I believe in the interest of sanity and disciplining the speaker’s sentence deserves and I hope it will never happen again”

Hon. Themba Mkandawire's conduct has been condemned by many other parliamentarians whom others have described the assault as "Criminal act"

However, the assaulted Usher was not available to comment on what he makes of Speaker's ruling.

3rd Meeting of 45th Session for National Assembly Rise Sine Die; Chakwera Brands the Meeting as Successful

3^rd Meeting of 45^th Session for National Assembly Rise Sine Die; Chakwera Brands the Meeting as Successful

The 2014-2015 Budget Review Meeting of National Assembly has adjourned Sine Die on Friday 27^th February 2015.

Delivering his Adjournment Remarks, Leader of Opposition Hon. Lazarus Chakwera offered his appreciation to all members from both sides for constructive criticism in a very compacted meeting they had which he said has enable the house to do business in a manner that informs Malawians that Legislatures always put people’s issues first.

He also encouraged members and government to continue strive to end poverty by creating growth to Malawians particularly those in rural areas and make policies that does not only benefit few. He added that Executive should ensure that decisions made in the House are followed.

Chakwera

Chakwera while expressing satisfaction of how the House transacted its business also made emphasis that committees “must continue doing their work and be seem to function as they continue provide oversight role”

Moving his Adjournment Motion that the House Adjourn Sine Die Leader of House Hon Francis Kasaila, expressed his sincere appreciation to all members for being serious during the deliberations.

“I wish to assure this August House that government will take into account each and every alternative suggested in this meeting to inform future policy changes and implementation.” He said while moving a motion that the house do adjourn Sine Die.

The 3^rd Meeting largely for the Midyear Budget Review began on 2^nd February to 27^th February 2015.

The House had discussed two Ministerial Statements and failed to discuss two Ministerial Statements which will be discussed in the next Meeting of Parliament.

 

Goodal: Minister of Finance

Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development delivered on 6^th February 2015 a Mid Year Budget review and was agreed to it on 16 February 2015, the revised estimates were considered by Committee of Supply starting on 19^th February and 24^th February in which the House passed a total sum of K769.2 billion.

During the meeting the House considered and passed a total of five Government Bills; International Development Association Skills Development Project Loan Authorization and Ratification, Marriage, Divorce and Family Relations Bill, Supplementary Appropriation 2014/2015, Traffic in Persons Bill and Higher Education Students Loan.

However two bills have been referred to Parliamentary Committee on Trade and Industry and Tourism for consideration; Insolvency and Metrology, and the Committee is expected to submit its report this House during the next Meeting of the Assembly in May June 2015. The house failed to discuss and conclude; Reserve Bank of Malawi (Amendment), Estate Duty (Amendment), Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Amendment) and Malawi Institute of Procurement and Supply.

On 18^th February 2015, the House confirmed Lexten Shame Kachama on his appointment as Inspector General of Malawi Police Service.

As the House was adjourned this Friday a total of 98 questions from 180 questions submitted to line ministries for oral replies were responded to and the remaining 82 questions according to Kasaila will be responded to in the next Meeting.

YAD: their petition was considered (Pic. YAD members Captured when Presenting Petition on ban for Alcohol in Sachets)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Private Members Motion and Several other Committee Reports were presented including two Public Petitions were also considered in the House.

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.