Kanengo Police Arrest 2 Suspected Armed Robbers, Recovers Pistol Gun

• The suspects have confessed of carrying out criminal activities

• Other convicts have been naming the two to be masterminders of robberies in the capital

Police in Kanengo have arrested two men who are suspected to be “notorious” criminals who have been terrorizing some parts of Capital city, Lilongwe.

Sergeant Esther Mkwanda Kanengo Police Public Relations Officer says one of the suspects had a Pistol gun used in their criminal activities.

The Kanengo PRO has identified the two as Andrew Nyirongo aged 41 of Kacheche village from T/A Lukwa in Kasungu district and Bernard Kumisuku (found with a pistol gun) aged 32 of Sambe village from T/A Kapeni in the commercial city, Blantyre”

“Nyirongo was residing in Chinsapo while Kumisuku has been residing in area 25 sector 8 and in the process we have managed to recover a Pistol with four live bullets” confirmed Sgt Mkwanda, who added “After the interviews these criminals said they have taken part in several criminal activities in different locations in Lilongwe which involved armed robberies and robbery with violence”

Kanengo PRO further said the two were being hunted following confessions made by some of the previously arrested criminals. The officer said some of the convicts have been naming Andrew Nyirongo and Bernard Kumisuku as some of the perpetrators in criminal activities led to their arrests.

They have since been charged of robbery with violence and illegal possession of firearm contrary to section 301 of the penal code.

Sgt Mkwanda has assured the nation and people in the capital city Lilongwe that “We are doing our best and we will keep on doing what we know as police to stop these criminal acts” but appealed, “As police we are also pleading with members of general public that they should also tip us whatever they see suspicious.”

“For example, where we recovered this pistol gun at Kumisuku’s house people were seeing him residing in a big house but had no clue of his job. So had it been that people tipped police way back, probably we would have arrested him earlier.”

A Lawyer ‘Cashgate Suspect’ Yambani Mulemba On Bail

• His K5 million worth bail follows Monday arrest on cash gate related suspicions

• Asked to pay K3M bond in cash, Two surerities each to pay K1M cash bond

High Court in Lilongwe has granted bail to a Nights and Nights private practice lawyer Yambani Mulemba who was arrested on cashgate related charges

Judge, Justice Esme Chombo has granted Mulemba a bail bond of K3 million in cash and provide two sureties who should each pay a cash bond of K1 million. 

The court further ordered that his two houses, in area 12 and 43 should be attached to the bond. Mulemba has also been ordered to be reporting at Lingadzi Police station every Wednesday, surrender travel documents as well as not leave Lilongwe or go outside Malawi without informing the Officer In charge of Lingadzi Police.

Yambani Mulemba has formerly been charged with money laundering to a tune of K50 million for facilitation of procurement of house which is linked to the cashgate case involving Paul Mphwiyo wife’s and her Good Deeds Trust. He is also been accused of facilitation of procurement of some cars belonging to Mr. Paul Mphwiyo among them Toyota Fortuner and Mercedes Benz.

Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Prosecutor Imran Saidi said Mulemba charges of money laundering is related to other offenses that other people are answering before various courts.

“His involvement is that he facilitated and helped some of the accomplices in money laundering. When the money was looted he had facilitated some other activities to have laundered some of the money’s” 

Mulemba was at one point brought to the court as state witness for the ongoing case of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder of Malawi’s former Budget Director Mr. Paul Mphiyo who survived three gunshots.

In the afternoon of Wednesday, Mulemba was taken to Lilongwe Resident Magistrate by ACB to be told the reasons of his arrest. But eventually it was told in the court that his lawyer had earlier made an application of bail at the High Court. On that basis the lower court considered that since the matter is in the constitutional court, there was no need to proceed with bail hearing at Magistrate court.

In the evening, upon hearing arguments from both sides Judge Justice Esme Chombo felt and deemed fit that Mulemba be granted bail saying it is everyone’s right.

Prosecution Applies for Revocation of Bail to Suspects in Mphwiyo’s Attempted Murder

Suspects are interfering with and intimidating state witnesses -the State claims

The Prosecution in the case of attempted murder of former Budget Director Paul Mphwiyo has applied before presiding Judge Justice Michael Mtambo, a revocation of bail to all the accused involved in the case following claims of “interference and intimidation” to state witnesses.

On Wednesday, Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mary Kachale told Lilongwe High Court that state wishes annulment of the bail granted to all accused persons in this case because they have “interfered with and intimidated” state witnesses. 

In the case, Raphael Kasambara, Pika and his brother Dauka Manondo, McDonald Kumwembe, Oswald Lutepo and Robert Kadzuwa are answering charges of Attempted murder and Conspiracy to commit murder of Former Budget Director Paul Mphwiyo who survived from three gunshots in September 13, 2013. 

Kachale indicated that the state has audio recordings of its two witnesses including Charles Chalunda claiming that their lives are at stake because some of the defendants are issuing various forms of threats.

“My Lord, there is an affidavit which is showing that some of our witnesses are fearful of their lives”, she continued and further said “Mr. Chalunda had called police for protection and he asked the state to have him transferred to a safe pace elsewhere in Mangochi district”

Kachale tried hard to convince court that the state plea be sustained due to seriousness of the matter and taking into consideration that Malawi has no Witness Protection Programme. 

Since the state made the application without serving the court and the defense with documents of such application, led to objection from the defense, they asked for the files before making their submissions on Thursday. Judge Mtambo has ruled that the ruling on the matter will be made during another court session since the three day session this week is dedicated for the parading of the remaining state witnesses.

The invalidation of the bail for the defendants will lead to arrest of all the five suspects currently on bail.

One of the accused who is presenting himself, Raphael Kasambara expressed displeasure with the expression used by the state to refer the accused persons in this case as persons carrying out ‘clandestine mafia’

On Wednesday, the state paraded one of its remaining witnesses. A Dedza boarder officer, Griffin Tembo was making testimony on issues surrounding travel of McDonald Kumwembe to Mozambique during the period of Paul Mphwiyo’s shooting, his witness was to clear whether Kumwembe claim that he was not in Malawi at the time of Mphwiyo’s shooting is valid or not.

Malawi Govt Denies Redeployment of Chief of State House, Mukhito

Rumours Spread claiming Mukhito

The State House has refuted widespread story on the redeployment of State Residence Chief Mr. Peter Mukhitho and Mr. Paul Norman Chisale- calling the news 'mare rumours of no substance'

In a press statement released on Wednesday afternoon, Chikondi Juma Press Officer at Kamuzu Palace, Lilongwe says it is not true that the Director General of State Residences Mr. Peter Mukhito and Mr. Paul Norman Chisale, the Director of Security have been removed or redeployed to the National Intelligence Service (NIS).

"The truth of the matter is that The State President, His Excellency Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika who is the appointing authority at State Residences has not made that decision and does not intend to make that decision and it is not in his plans to make that decision."

"Mr. Mukhito and Mr. Chisale are still at State House and continue to discharge their duties in their respective positions just as Mr. Nicholas Dausi at the National Intelligence Service (NIS)" said the statement which is also appealing to the People of Malawi to ignore any press reports on this matter, because they "are just rumours with no substance."

Since Tuesday, rumours were widespread that Mukhitho and Norman Chisale have been redeployed to National Intelligence Bureau following revelations that they emblezzled fuel funds.

Should we say the decision has been revoked?

As the state is trying to fire-extinguish the whistleblowed information, leaves a big question if what is being spread was government initial decision but has been decided upon to forgo following any prospective criticisms.

Lilongwe High Court Revokes Bail for Robert Kadzuwa, A Suspect In Mpwhwiyo Shooting

Prosecution Complained of Kadzuwa's Abscondment of Court Sessions   

High Court in Lilongwe has revoked a bail for Robert Kadzuwa one of the accused persons in the case of attempted murder of Malawi's former Budget Director Paul Mphwiyo for failure to appear in court proceedings for over three days.

The effect will lead to arrest of Kadzuwa who was not present at the court this Wednesday.

On Wednesday, when the High Court began three day sessions, a continuation of state witness parade in the case of the attempted murder of Mphwiyo following a month recess, Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mary Kachali made an application that Robert Kadzuwa's bail be revoked because he has stopped attending court proceedings since last month session.

Kadzuwa has been missing previous court session after an excuse that he wanted to attend funeral of his family member and failed to appear on Wednesday court proceedings.

Judge Michael Mtambo sustained the prosecution application which its effect will lead to arrest of Kadzuwa.

Robert Kadzuwa is being accused of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder of Paul Mphwiyo. He is being accused together with Raphael Kasambara, Pika and his brother Dauka Manondo, Oswald Lutepo and McDonald Kumwembe.

Man Abandons Vehicle Used for Smuggling 29 Bags of Marijuana In Nkhotakota

Police Launches Manhunt 

Vehicle used for smuggling Marijuana 

A man only being identified by Nkhotakota Police as Matambo Chikwa G, is suspected to have been the driver of the vehicle which was abandoned in the night of 11th March 2015 for fear of being arrested on charges of Possession of illicit herb ‘Cannabis Sativa/Indian Hemp’.

Police in the Central Lake-Shore district of Nkhotakota have confiscated 29 bags of Indian hemp locally know as Chamba in the abandoned motor-vehicle says Police in the district.

According to Nkhotakota Police Station Public Relations Officer Williams Kaponda, the motor-vehicle Toyota Carina saloon type registration number NU 5592 was abandoned in the night of March 11, 2015 after the driver unexpectedly noted a snap roadblock enacted by the police on the M1 road.

The driver he said had all over the sudden saw the police check-point and jumped out of the car and ran away leaving the engine running “A thorough check in the car, police found 29 bags of cannabis sativa systematically fitted in it and a driver’s licenses.” And identified the driver’s license bearing the particulars of Matambo Chikwa G 

The confiscated 29 bags of Indian hemp

“No one has claimed ownership of the motor-vehicle and the drivers’ license but, police are working tirelessly to bring the culprits to book.” Said Kaponda

The Nkhotakota Police PRO has appealed to the general public to report any information related to the abandoned motor-vehicle leading to the arrest of the culprits. 

“People are also asked to refrain from the malpractice (smuggling) to create a crime free Malawi, as the illicit drug fuel criminal actives more especially among the youth.” He pleaded, “It is everyone’s duty to take part in combating the crime in Nkhotakota.” 

The officer further bemoaned that cases related to smuggling of cannabis sativa are rampant in Nkhotakota citing, the year 2014 where police in the district arrested 41 people over illegal possession of Indian hemp among them 28 were convicted.

Flood Victims in Balaka, Salima Hails WOLREC for the Humanitarian Response

399 Families Supported in Balaka while 465 Reached in Salima district 

Food Distribution in Progress in Balaka district

Flash floods affected Communities of Salima and Balaka districts that have expressed thanks to ‘Women’s Legal Resource Centre’ (WOLREC) a Women Rights organization for its humanitarian assistance to families that were affected by the disaster.

As part of WOLREC’s project of Promoting Women’s Economic and Social Empowerment (PROWESE) the institution distributed assorted relief items worth K6.5 million in the areas of Traditional Authorities Chanthunya and Sawali in Balaka district and Maganga as well as Mwanza in Salima district since 25 February, 2015.

Up to 399 affected families in Balaka received various relief items including laundry soap, sachets of chlorine powder (for water treatment), Maize flour, and blankets while in Salima 465 beneficiaries have further been given 3 tonnes of Cassava Stems and Sweet Potato Veins following requests by the victims themselves after realizing that maize and legume planting season is almost gone.

Some of the beneficiaries in Salima district 

Speaking during distribution exercise in his area, Group Village Head Kaniche of Salima district, expressed grateful for the timely response to their predicament. He, however, was quick to say that the gesture was beyond their expectation “WOLREC, is our friend indeed. When we got a call that you are ready to help us, we did not think that was possible.”

“You have shown us how much you care for us far beyond our expectation,” he said with jubilation and further asked WOLREC to continue with similar types of aids.

One beneficiary, Mai Esnala John of Msambafumu, a mother of 6 children was equally grateful. After her maize garden got washed away she did not know what to do as her husband is not involved in any income generating activities. The husband cannot walk after a sickness that left him paralyzed. She says medical expenses have depleted her savings (her Village Savings and Loan VSL) as such her business (selling sweet beer – thobwa and maize flour fritters – zitumbuwa) has been affected.

Woman looks at her washed away garden

Esnala said the bag of flour she got was going to go a long way. Her family will have proper meals for a few days and the cassava stems will assure her of an alternative harvests and source of income other than the maize.

Several other beneficiaries said the aid will help them rebuild their businesses as they will at least concentrate on the same for a few days when they will be using the items received from the response.

“We are supporting flood victims with immediate material needs to help cope with their everyday livelihoods as a result of the flash floods for improved livelihood” said Programmes Officer for WOLREC Gift Mauluka who added, “We decided to help flood victims in Salima with cassava cuttings and potato veins for replanting in fields where crops were washed away or destroyed”

Washed away maize field in Balaka district

“Through an assessment that WOLREC conducted, it was found that Members of Village Savings and Loan (VSLs) that WOLREC work with in the PROWESE project, have also not been spared.” enlighten the WOLREC Programmes Officer

Mauluka further indicated that 399 (287 female headed households) and 465 (302 female headed households) in Balaka and Salima respectively were affected in different ways, “VSL members have lost their houses; livestocks and crop fields have been washed away or their fields have been water-logged to the extent that it is impossible to cultivate the fields; and some have their household items completely destroyed.” 

WOLREC has made the donation through financial assistance from Swedish Organization for Individual Relief (SOIR) a partner working with the institution in a project on Women Economic Empowerment.

Over 15 districts in Malawi including Nsanje, Chikwawa, Phalombe and Zomba are some of the worst hit areas by this year’s devastating floods in memory. Floods have destroyed many hectares of fields where people had already planted different types of crops. Livestock have been destroyed; roads and bridges have been washed away, thereby disturbing socio-economic activities of most people. 

Malawi was declared as a State of Disaster with effect from 13th January 2015 when President Peter Mutharika in accordance with powers conferred upon him by section 32 (1) of the Disaster Preparedness and Relief Act, declared all the districts affected by floods Disaster Areas.