Maula Prisoners Asks Mutharika to Consider Mass Pardon, Improve Prisons Living Conditions

Maula Prisoners Asks Mutharika to Consider Mass Pardon, Improve Prisons Living Conditions

Maula Prisoners (Photo by State House)

Prisoners at Maula Prison in the Capital Lilongwe have asked President Mutharika to deal with number of challenges prisoners and Prison warders are facing at the prison.

Speaking at Maula Prison following Mutharika’s visit as one way of commemorating his second anniversary of 2013 arrest over treason charges, Thomas Chafera a 2010 convict serving eight year jail term spoke highly of the need for mass pardon and reduce congestion in cells and lack of some necessary materials

Overcrowded Maula Prisoners 

Thomas asked President Mutharika an issue which attracted loud cheer from fellow prisoners when he mentioned that "pardon procedure should benefit everyone." He suggested that it could be reducing one month of everyone’s prison sentence because current process benefits few.

He said lengthy remands without trial for more than 5 years, illegal entries by foreigners from Ethiopia and Burundi are major causes of cells congestion.

Maula Prison

Chafera added that in addition to stiff sentences in courts and few cells at the prison, the congestion problem is also a result of difficulties to make an appeal at High Court since, very often an appeal process would take them "whole prison sentence period."

Mutharika promises these
Maula Prison Officers better living conditions
(Photo by State House)

Thomas Chafera further asked for better housing for Prison Warders because their dilapidated houses makes one see no difference between prisoners and Prison Officers a probable development which Commissioner Lameck Banda, Maula Prison Officer In charge made him to succinctly say "there are a lot of challenges a this Prison" when was asked to speak.

Some female prisoners at Maula

Other challenges the Prisoner highlighted includes few vehicles to transport prisoners for court hearing, lack of blankets, clothes especially for women, cups and plates because they receive food in plastic bags.

In his reaction President Mutharika said has noted everything and will strive to improve conditions at the prison and take remandees for trial.

Cross section of Maula Prisoners 

On pardon he said the committee on the matter will continue following a right procedure and continue ensuring that good mannered prisoners who have finished half of their prison sentence are pardoned.

Some female prisoners at Maula Prison

Mutharika brought to the prison, three tones of laundry soap, 400 litres of chlorine, 200 thousand of pain killers, and food items; 250 packs of maize flour, 40 bags of beans, 200 bags of maize, bags of rice, 200 litres of cooking oil, beef meat and 550 bales of sugar.

Wednesday afternoon Muthariaka was at Maula Prison as walk down memory lane of 11 March, 2013 arrest and detention when government accused him together with 10 other officials on treason charges following Bingu Was Mutharika's demise.

Peter Mutharika was taken to Maula Prison but refused to stay there to a gun point. He told authorities that he and co-accused could not stay there because are not convicted of the alleged crime.

Mutharika Brands 2013 Arrest and Detention “Abuse of Power”;

Thanks Cadets, Police Judiciary as He Walks Down Memory Lane

Mutharika 

President Professor Peter Mutharika has described his arrest in March 11, 2013 as ‘abuse of power’ and ‘irresponsible behavior’ of the Joyce Banda administration. Mutharika has for the third time also called the treason charges leveled against him as ‘stupid case’

The Malawi leader was speaking on Wednesday in the Capital Lilongwe at a commemoration of second anniversary of his arrest together with eleven other Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) officials.

Mutharika with fellow detainees
 (Photo by State House)

Peter Mutharika was arrested on treason charges following the findings and recommendations of Commission of Inquiry into the death of his brother former president late Professor Bingu Wa Mutharika, a commission instituted by Joyce Banda Administration. The Commission findings lead to suspect that Mutharika and other officials plotted bar of then vice president Joyce Banda from being Malawi president, in the course committing treason offense and insight mutiny for allegedly asking then Malawi Defense Force Commander General Henry Odilo to take over the government.

Mutharika speaking at Lumbadzi Police
(Photo by State House)

But speaking of his arrest at Mtunthama State Lodge Mutharika said “I think the arrest of me and the other ten was a typical example of irresponsible behavior and abuse of power”

“That’s why I have said all this time, and I will say it again that it was a stupid treason case” said President Mutharika while challenging that he is not afraid of media critics for reiterating the word “stupid treason case”

Mutharika in Lumbadzi
police cell with Other detainees
(Photo by State House)

Last year, similar remarks attracted mixed reacts on Mutharika’s choice of diction and credibility of his arrest when he uttered the words at Mjamba in commercial city of Blantyre and Masintha ground in the Capital city Lilongwe during rallies of thanking party supporters for voting him to presidency.

“Never again should this country allow that kind of abuse of power and there is nothing worse than abuse of power” he continued as began to express word of thanks to those that rallied behind him as he walked through agony from 11 march 2013 until the time he made it to presidency in May 2014. 

Mutharika writes his name on the wall
Of Lumbadzi police cell
(Photo by State House)

On this, Mutharika has thanked youth cadets for offering him protection from three suspected doctors who came to his police cell at Lumbadzi. He said one of them was identified as Head of Criminal Investigations Department were trying to enter into Mutharika’s cell claiming Peter Mutharika required medical attention and were there to help. When the men tried to force themselves in to the cell further raising suspicions, youth cadets thwarted their mission by beating them.

DPP Youth Cadets at Mtunthama
State Lodge: Protected their leader

Here, Mutharika said, had it not been for the protection of youth cadets he would by now have been “buried six feet under the ground.”

“Anything could have happened,” said Mutharika as he also expresses thanks to police for the defense and professionalism exercised throughout the time he was detained at Lumbadzi Police station.

He further, commended Judiciary for handling treason case professionally “I want to thank the judiciary for their real professionalism, and I want Judiciary to continue with this tradition because judiciary must stand between the abuse of power and helpless individuals. The judges are supposed to stand between that to protect innocent people, so am very grateful”

To all Malawians and DPP followers support Mutharika said “May be you don’t know what it is like when you are there, you are there and you have the whole force of government against you! It’s not easy there is humiliation as well! So myself and fellow prison graduates we say thank you!”

Women and all Malawians hailed for
Support

President Mutharika who was them interim President for Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and other ten party officials were arrested and charged with treason.

Necton Mhura was detained with Mutharika
(Photo by State House)

The other ten are; Goodall Gondwe, Bright Msaka, Vuwa Kaunda, Dr. Jean Kalirani, Patricia Kaliati, Kondwani Nankhumwa, Henry Mussa, Necton Mhura, Nicholas Dausi and Unus Mussa.

Mutharika Walks Down Memory Lane of 2013 Arrest and Detention; Recounts His Time In Detention

Donates Various Items to Lumbadzi Police Station, Maula Prison

Mutharika

The State President Professor Peter Mutharika on Wednesday walks down memory lane of March 2013 arrest and detention following Treason  accusations leveled against him together with eleven Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) officials.

Mutharika visited cells of his detention at Lumbadzi Police station and later visited Maula Prison a place he denied to stay for he argued with officials that he could not stay there for he was not yet convicted of the alleged accusations. 

Speaking at Lumbadzi Police marking commemoration of 2nd anniversary of  his arrest in 2013, Mutharika immediately after visiting the cells he said "Henry Mussa was our pastor we used to pray every night." And added "Being in Police cell is not a joke, that's a place you notice that you are in an isolation world".

"The day we arrived here" he continued, "In the middle of night the Inspector General of Police Dzonzi (Loti Dzonzi former Inspector General of Police who was serving Joyce Banda administration) received information right away from the president. He was told that Professor requires medical attention and am sending medical doctors."

"But that was a total lie" he said

"When the three men came here, Bright Msaka (who were together with Mutharika in the cell) told them that Professor is fine and does not seek any medical attention." He said, then continued with  recounts of how those men were beaten by angry party supporters when the men forced themselves into the cells further sending suspicions of their presence and mission.

Mutharika revealed that the doctors were fake as one of them is being identified as a Head of Criminal Investigations Department and said " I have a signed affidavit by Inspector General of Police (refering to Former IG Loti Dzonzi) I have it myself at the right time I will use that Affidavit" 

Mutharika was in a company of some of the officials who were arrested with him; Goodall Gondwe, Nicholas Dausi, Bright Msaka, Vuwa Kaunda, Kondwani Nankhumwa and Henry Mussa.

He announced that he has donated 15 chairs for the police at Lumbadzi, 8 solar lamps and blankets.

Later, he visited Maula Prison where he also donated food and non food items worth millions.

The items includes three tones of laundry soap, 200 litres of cooking oil, 250 bags of maize flour, 500 bails of sugar, 400 litres of chlorine and 40 bags of beans.

He also went to Mtunthama State Lodge to honor several Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) officials with medals for their endurance during such a trial times the party and its leadership went through.

President Mutharika Walks Down Memory Lane of 2013

Visits and Paint His Detention Cells at Lumbadzi and Maula Prison In Commemoration of 2nd Anniversary of His Arrest in March 2013

Pres. Mutharika

The State President Arthur Peter Mutharika is this Wednesday March 11, 2015 commemorating 2nd anniversary of  his arrest in 2013.

President Mutharika programme includes a trip down memory lane to see the prison cell in which he was once detained in 2013 that is in Lumbadzi and Maula Prison cells.

Malawi Public Service form Commission Flies to Singapore;

Chilima Leading the Lilongwe Team

Chilima far right, Mutharika centre& Muluzi (former President)

The Malawi team leading Public Service Reforms including its chairperson, Vice President Saulos Chilima is on Tuesday travelling to Singapore for knowledge sharing on Public Sector Reform.

The Lilongwe team is on trip to understand how to effectively implement the just launched Public Service Reforms.

Statement from Press Office of the Vice President says His Excellency President Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika has delegated Vice President Saulos Chilima to lead a team on Public Service Reforms to study the Singapore reforms in-depth. 

"The Southeast Asian country is one of the highly rated nations that have successfully implemented Public Service Reforms hence the importance of the study visit by Vice President Chilima and his delegation." Claim part of the statement released on Monday

The statement indicates that Malawi's Vice President, who is also Chairperson of the Public Service Reforms Commission, leaves Malawi on Tuesday, March 10, through Kamuzu International Airport KIA in Lilongwe at 13:30 hours. And arrives back home on Thursday, March 19, through Lilongwe’s KIA at 12:20 hours.



President Mutharika when launching the Public Service Reforms emphasized he is trying to make the public service efficient and effective. While his vice, Chilima has been emphasising that reforming the Public Service is not a matter of multiple choice, but will be done and it must be done now.




Malawi Public Service Reform Commission made several recommendations among them reforms which focus on optimal allocation of human resource, improving service delivery like decentralization and moving other departments to relevant government ministries including decision to make the Malawi Investment and Trade Center (MITC) a one stop shop.




Some of the recommendations were approved and implemented by last year.

Good News!ECM to Distribute Relief Items Worth MK1 billion for Malawi Flood Victims

Items includes; food and Non-food items like Clothes

Arch Bishop Msusa to lead the Bishop at the launch

The Catholic Church in Malawi has raised food and non food relief items valued at K1 billion which its distribution begins this week to all flood victims from all worst affected districts particularly in the southern part of the country.

The Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) says distribution to be launched on Tuesday 10th March, 2015 by the Bishops, led by the  Chairman, His Grace Most Reverend Thomas Luke Msusa, will take place at January Parish which is in the area of STA Ngolongoliwa in Thyolo district. 

Acting ECM Secretary on the Left and other Bishops

Bishops are also expected to visit people living in shelter camps around the area, says Fr. Emmanuel Chimombo ECM Acting Secretary in a statement 

Submerged houses; T/A Malemia Nsanje district 

"Bishops have planned to visit flood affected victims to show solidarity and give a message of hope. Guided by Psalm 34:18" which reads “The Lord is close to those broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

During one of the recent Holy Mass
 Celebration where ECM encouraged
 Faithful to make contributions

"During the visit, the Bishops are expected to present some of the relief items which were collected from all parishes and institutions in the country and the Caritas family to cater for flood affected dioceses." Reads the statement 

Collapsed schoolblock in Thyolo Thava

The statement has indicated that, the items valued at MK1 billion, the church has managed to raise through its partners and the Church Structures. Addiding that these items  are just for short term sustenance of human life.

Flood affected victims

The statement further indicates that these items which includes money, clothes, food and non food items will go to flood affected communities in Chikwawa, Nsanje, Zomba, Machinga, Mangochi, Phalombe and Ntcheu among other areas.

Submerged houses in Nsanje 

Submerged school in Nsanje district

Drowning home in Nsanje District 

Village Savings and Credit Association Changing Lives of Chiuzira Women in Lilongwe

Tiyanjane Women Village Savings and Credit Association Members Are Able to Support their Families 

Women in the capital, Lilongwe from around Chiuzira village had not known what they thought to be a simple and mare lessons on Village Savings and Credit Association in 2013 would turn them 'Business Managers and food providers' from house keeper or housewives status.

Through Centre for Informal Economy Initiatives (CIEI), Outreach Scout Foundation (OSF) and Women of Action Ministry (WAM) 24 women from Chiuzira were trained in Village Savings and Credit Association, now the course has began bearing fruitful results.

Two years down the line, the club which was named "Tiyanjane" had in its first-share purchase of not less than K2,500 each  as of 2nd November 2013 raised a sum of over K1.4 million which was used for First loan disbursement.

This has enabled all the 24 women in the group to run some small scale business that are supporting their daily lives in their respective families.

Joyce Bamusi Chairlady for Tiyanjane women Village Savings and Credit Association told Malawi Voice that the initiative has helped members of the group to graduate from being housewives to women who are now able to help their families through businesses they do.

"We are able to provide for ourfamilies and that includes paying for school fees for our children some of us are building modern houses." She shared the testimony

She also hailed the initiative of village savings and loan association for being better that than accessing credit from commercial banks, "We previously tried to access loans from banks but it was difficult for us to repay such loans, we were not profiting from such loans"

Apart from individual small scale businesses, Tiyanjane women as group they used their good sum of retained earnings to buy pigs and that now, the group is doing pig farming.

This year, the group is now in second round of share savings of which in their first week managed to raise  more than  K350 thousand.

Centre for Informal Economy Initiative  Executive Director Francis Antonio says OSF, CIEI and WAM have intentions to rollout these initiatives to other districts to allow a lot of women get empowered through such economic activities.