Communities, Police Tightens Security on Albino Abduction in Salima

Communities, Police Tightens Security on Albino Abduction in Salima

Communities and Police in the district of Salima have join hands in the fight against killings of people born albino by tightening security in all the communities.

The development comes as Salima Police in the week ending on Saturday 14th March, 2015, were sensitizing Salima communities of the significance of protecting albinos by reporting to police, cases and suspected persons to be perpetrators of the of albino abduction. 

Salima district Police Public Relations Officer, Sergeant Gift Chitowe said police encounter with communities has led to revamping and establishing community policing Forums as their message has been warmly welcomed

“The incidents of albino abduction and hacking of their body parts is now a big issue in this country, we know that the lives of our sons and daughters, brothers and sisters born albino are in danger” he said, “As Salima Police we thought, it is imperative that we communicate with members of the general public on the importance of collaboration in the efforts of safeguarding lives of albinos in the district.”

Sgt. Chitowe emphasized “We cannot end this malpractice without effective engagement with communities” and added, “We are happy that we received a warm welcome because people have promised to protect albinos and report suspects or any case to Police”

Salima Police PRO also mentioned that Community Policing Coordinator Prisca Maulana throughout the meetings assured communities that police will ensure that Community Policing group members are trained so that they conduct their duties professionally.

Chitowe said police in the district are pursuing one suspected case of albino abduction following disappearance of an albino man who used to be found at Salima Metro shop “We are continuing with our investigations to establish if his disappearance is a result of abduction or if he moved somewhere else”

Cases of albino abduction for human parts are on the increase in Malawi where, more than dozen cases have been reported and many have been arrested for being found in possession of bones and body parts suspected to belong to albino person. Each passing week, there are reported cases of either missing albino or exhumation of albino graves. 

Nkhotakota Man,33 Handed 3 Month Jail Sentence For Job Application of Killing and Hacking Human Body Parts

Man, 33 Landed Himself in Jail For Job Application of Hacking Human Parts in Nkhotakota, Gets 3 Month Imprisonment

A 33 year old man is to serve three months Imprisonment with Hard Labour for allegedly conducting himself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace says Nkhotakota Police 

Constable Willie Dick a Deputy Public Relations Officer for Nkhotakota Police says the man has been handed the sentence at Nkhotakota First Grade Magistrate court when he was found guilty of applying for a job which would see him kill and hack human body parts.

The convict identified as Samson Zapala from Bango village in the area of Senior Chief Mwadzama in Nkhotakota district was charged with the offence of Conduct Likely to Cause Breach of peace contrary to section 181 of the penal code and pleaded guilty.

The court heard state prosecutor Constable Cedrick Cosmas that on 4th March , 2015, Mrs Phroney Saidi received a phone call from unknown man requesting her to offer him any job and mentioned of killing people and bring human body parts to her for sell.

Immediately, Saidi reported the matter to police who arrested the man on 6th March, 2015 following a trick meeting with Saidi at Benga trading centre.

When taken to Benga police unit for questioning he admitted to have applied for the work but was quick to say he has never done this before. He further said he suggested doing this because of financial hiccups he is going through. 

During Court seating at Nkhotakota First Grade Magistrate Court on 11th March, 2005 prayed for a meaningful punishment in order to cub this act forthwith. 

The First Grade Magistrate Fred Juma Chilowetsa convicted and sentenced Samson Zamata to three months imprisonment with hard labor. 

TNM Plants 12 Thousand Trees At Kauma Sewage Site in Lilongwe

TNM Plants 12 Thousand Trees At Kauma Sewage Site in Lilongwe

Telecom Networks Malawi in the central region has embarked on tree planting exercise around Kauma sewage site as a way of reducing bad gases that are produced and evaporates from the sewage banks, reaching to residents around the area.

The central region team from TNM was on Thursday morning planting trees together with members of communities that surround Kauma sewage including officials from Lilongwe City Council.

“TNM is just continuing its annual programme regarding tree planting” said Danny Malisita Head of Central Region at TNM, “This time around, we felt the urge as a Malawian company to come in so strongly this time around after experiencing floods starting early this year”

When asked why taking this year’s tree planting season to Kauma, Malisita said “This area was affected in two ways, firstly the sewage system here releases toxic gases that are bad to the people around this area and we believe planting trees around this place will help to transform carbon dioxide into oxygen that would be beneficial to residents around here.”

Secondly he said “So many houses were damaged and roofs blown away (referring to a thunderstorm that affected the area early this year), so we thought if we could prioritize Kauma area it would make a big difference to the lives of people that lives around this place”

“We thought we are the right people to intervene and resolve these problems” he said 

Malisita has indicate that TNM this year is planting 36 thousand trees national wide, whereby 12 thousand trees are to be planted in all the three regions of Malawi. He said in the southern region TNM is planting in Monke-bay, Mangochi district and in the northern region they are planting in Chikangawa, Mzimba district. While in the central region TNM has chosen Kauma sewage which is also very close to Lilongwe river.

TNM’s Head of Central Region, Malisita mentioned that the company all the trees being planted costs up to K2.7 million.

Group Village Headman (GVH) Kauma who was among the community members planting the trees, commends TNM for decision to plant trees around his territory. He promised cooperation with other village headmen and come up with set of restrictions in order to protect the trees being planted in his area.

“We will condone any conduct that will lead to deracinate trees here or allow cattle’s to graze around this place, we will make sure that these trees are well protected” Said GVH Kauma   

6, Named on Diplomatic Mission

6, Named on Diplomatic Mission 

Mutharika in the middle sitting on red chair

The President of the Republic of Malawi, Peter Mutharika has appointed four men and two women on diplomatic mission.

Their appointment has been effected on March 12, 2015.

Statement from the Office of President and Cabinet says His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika made appointments in exercise of

the powers conferred upon him

by section 89(1)(e) of the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi.

The appointment is with immediate effect but are subject to confirmation by the National Assembly.

The appointee's are:-

° Mr. Kena Mphonda, as High Commissioner to the United

Kingdom

°Mr. Michael Kamphambe-Nkhoma, as Ambassador to Germany

°Mrs. Anne Kumwenda, as

Ambassador to Zimbabwe

°Mr. Wilfred Ali, as Ambassador to Kuwait

°Dr. Isaac Munlo, as High

Commissioner to India and 

°Mrs. Caroline C.S. Bwanali Mussa, as Ambassador to Egypt

Mutharika appoints LUANAR, MUST Council Members and Approve Appointees for NCHE

Mutharika appoints LUANAR, MUST Council Members and Approve Appointees for NCHE

His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, President of the Republic of Malawi, has appointed Council Members for Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR); and the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST).

This is in exercise of the powers conferred upon him by Acts of Parliament establishing LUANAR and MUST. The appointments are with immediate effect.

Malawi leader has also made  approval of  appointment of Council Members of the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE)

Below is the list 

1. Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR)

•Professor James H. Seyani- is Chairperson

•Mrs. Daima Thyangathyanga 

•Dr. Dorothy Namate 

•Mr. Frank Mbeta

•Mr. Fletcher Zenengeya

Ex-officio's are Secretaries for Education, Science and Technology, Natural Resources, Energy and Mining and Secretary for Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development

Professor George Y. Kanyama-Phiri- is LUANAR Vice Chancellor while Professor E. Kaunda is Deputy Vice Chancellor

Senate Representatives, LUANAR

Senate Representative, LUANAR

LUANAR Students' Representative (Male)

LUANAR Students' Representative (Female)

2. Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST)

Dr. Andrew Daudi - is Chairperson

Professor Address Malata

Mr. Chancellor Kaferapanjira

Ambassador Ron Nkomba (Retired)

Dr. Meria Nowa Phiri

Professor Bright Uledi Kamanga

Ex-officio's are Secretaries from Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, the Treasury and Transport and Public Works.

It has also pleased His Excellency the President to approve the appointment

of Council Members of the National Council for

Higher Education (NCHE) 

Dr. Stanley Khaila- as Chairperson

Dr. Agnes Chimbili

Ms. Maureen Chiphwanya

Professor Chinyamata Chipeta

Dr. Peter Kazembe

Comptroller of Statutory Corporations

Secretary for Education, Science and Technology

Secretary to the Treasury

Secretary for Human Resource

Management and Development 

Two Vice Chancellors (LUANAR and MUST representing Public Universities)

Vice Chancellor of Malawi Adventist University representing Private Universities

Mutharika Appoints Justice Nyirenda as Chief Justice

Mutharika Appoints Justice Nyirenda as Chief Justice 

President Mutharika

President Peter Mutharika has appointed Justice Andrew K.C. Nyirenda, SC, as Chief Justice replacing retired Justice Anastasia Msosa.

Statement from Office of President and Cabinet (OPC) says "His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, in exercise of the powers conferred upon him by section 111 (1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi has with immediate effect, appointed the Honourable Justice Andrew K.C. Nyirenda, SC, as Chief Justice."

The office indicates this appointment is subject to confirmation by the National

Assembly. 

Ex-MYPs Holds Demonstration this Friday;

To Petition Mutharika on Premature Retirement Compensation, Stop Govt from Engaging with their Old Committee

EX-MYP marching to LL DC office in 2014

The Concerned former Malawi Young Pioneers (Ex- MYP) victims of 1993 Operation Bwezani are holding demonstrations this Friday Morning, in a bid to ask President Mutharika to act on outstanding grievances surrounding on premature retirement package and discontinuation of government engaging with their old committee.

In an interview with Publicity Secretary for Ex-MYP, Hendrix Chijota said have prepared a petition to President Mutharika which will be delivered to Lilongwe District Commissioner following exhaust of all avenues.

“Our core objective for petitioning the highest office in the land is to seek intervention and consequent action because our grievances are long overdue" he said, "Despite all our efforts to engage in contact and dialogue with top government officials to contain the situation but instead, they are choosing to be too busy to attend our grievances” explained Chijota

The group is accusing some top Government officials of swindling million’s of Kwacha’s meant for Ex-MYP pension and gratuity payments. 

It is also accusing the offices of the Deputy Chief Secretary to the Government, Principal Secretary for Human Resource Management, Accountant General/Pensions Department and Auditor General’s office for “deliberate gross negligence” and “deliberate rejection” of Ex-MYPs observation and overwhelming acts as regards to the payment parade exercise and data used some time in 2012 and 2014 respectively.

Chijota; man visibly in the black suit and white shirt

“After we kept on pressing the government on our grievances, they chose to use the very committee that masterminded the plans of swindling government money” claim Chijota

According to the group, the 2012 data had loopholes as a lot of ghost Ex-MYPs went away with millions of Kwacha’s when actual members were getting K1500 as minimum retirement package and K5000 as maximum package. The development led to arrests of several committee members of Ex-MYPs who masterminded the misdemeanor. 

He said they would like to appeal to President Mutharika to consider them on premature retirement compensation as former civil servants following expulsion without legal procedures and compensation of gross human rights violation in terms of failure to build better houses, sending their children to school, find well-established jobs as well as ill treatment.

Over 200 demonstrators
joined 2014 demonstrations 

This will be second time for the group to present petition to Lilongwe District Commissioners office addressed to President Office following March 4, 2014 petition to former President Joyce Banda. 

Last year’s petition had demands on compensation for premature retirement and request to probe some top government officials for gross negligence on very serious anomalies of ghosting, forgery and alternating as well as deliberate wrong data collection by the old committee that was led by Mr. Grey Chibaya Chisale for the Ex-MYPs.

The march is expected in the morning at Kamuzu Central Hospital roundabout going to Lilongwe DC’s office