Malawi Police Arrest a man Who Abandoned 29 Bags of Marijuana, Toyota Carina

Police in Nkhotakota finally arrests a man who has been on the run leaving behind a Carina vehicle which contained 29 bags of Cannabis Sativa

Police Public Relations Officer for Nkhotakota Police Station Williams Kaponda says the man identified as Matambo Gizito Chikwa has since been remanded to Nkhotakota Prison by Nkhotakota Magistrate Court on Thursday.

The officer says Chikwa was arrested in Blantyre on 17th March and is expected to reappear before court on Tuesday March 24, on charges of illegal found in possession of cannabis sativa.

Early this week police in the district reported that in the night of March 11, 2015 the alleged man abandoned a motor vehicle, Toyata Carina registration number NU 5592 at a snap roadblock near Mpondagaga trading centre in the district.

Police said a Toyota carina which was fast approaching at the police check-point stopped all over sudden and the driver ran away leaving the car behind.

A thoroughly check in the abandoned motor-vehicle, police discovered 29 bags of Indian-hemp and a drivers license baring the suspects particulars.

The Nkhotakota Police PRO says suspect Matambo Gizito Chikwa aged 32 who hails from Chikanje village, in Senior Chief Kanyenda area, of Nkhotaota district is exercising the right to remain silent in court.

Malawi Police Strategize to End Albino Attacks, Killings

• Strategies include; physical identification of households with people living with albinism as well as schools they go to

• Police condemns the albino killings

Kachama greeting President Mutharika

The Malawi Police Service has warned that it will not sit back and watch the misdemeanor of attacks, abductions and killings of people born albino as it says police are alert and ready to apprehend any person perpetrating such violence.

In an interview after President Peter Mutharika had addressed the nation on albino attacks on Thursday Inspector General of Police (IG) Lexten Kachama, said Commissioners from all regions of the country had a meeting where they devised strategies to completely end this crime and not reduce it.

“We the police are strongly condemning and warning all perpetrators of the unbecoming criminal behavior of killing, abducting and even selling people with albinism in the country and therefore wishes to strongly warn any would be perpetrators of such and barbaric acts that the police will not sit back and watch while this unbecoming and worrisome trend takes root in the country.”

Kachama then assured that the situation is currently being well managed as several strategies have been put in place by Police

He mentioned; physical identification of households with people living with albinism as well as schools where people with albinism goes to and engaging with traditional, religious and community leaders in support of efforts of protecting rights of people with albinism.

The Malawi Police IG further said police are enhancing Community Policing structures as well as mainstreaming issues of people living with albinism including enhancing intelligence collection to identify source, nature of markets and final destination of the alleged trade.

“We will provide maximum security in the country to all” he assured, “However we would like to urge parents, relations and guardians of people living with albinism to exercise extra security precautionary measures in protecting people with albinism at all times.”

“The community at large should also take a leading role by reporting suspects, suspected strangers whether trying propose marriage or pretending to be on business in their areas” he appealed and emphasized that “Police alone cannot succeed to combat this malpractice but with public support we can really succeed. Please everyone should take this noble cause assisting police as we are trying hard to end and not reduce these criminal acts”

Kachama, has thanked all stakeholders especially ministry of gender, the judiciary, traditional leaders and faith leaders for their efforts in this fight. He as well, expressed thanks general public for support given to police on tips that have assisted to arrest some of the suspects.

The IG has dispelled any myth that surrounds albino attacks and killings, “Regrettably, incidences of attacks against people living with albinism are allegedly fueled by beliefs that body parts of people with albinism bring good luck and fortune which is very unfortunate situation. What is important in this matter is to note that these people with albinism are just ordinary people like anyone else and that their body parts do not posses any supernatural powers.” 

Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Hon. Paul Chibingu also echoed the IG’s appeal that the general public should play major role in providing information to police in order to end this malpractice.

Asked if Malawi is working closely with neighboring countries like Tanzania where albino attacks and killings were first reported before Malawi, the Minister said “At ministry level we haven’t yet contacted our friends how they have combated the problem but am sure in due course we will consult our friends to see if at all they have completely managed that problem and how they did it”

The most recent incidences of albino attacks happened in Zomba where a 2 year old baby with albinism was snatched from a fellow 10 year old sibling, but fortunately the baby was rescued by neighbors as the suspect tried to run away. Police have also arrested a suspect in Mangochi in connection with selling of his nephew with albinism who according to Inspector General of Police the suspect is assisting police as so far, eight suspects have been arrested connected to the issue of albinism.

Furthermore, another suspect named Saidi Mpunga aged 32 is in police custody in neighboring Mozambique answering murder charge of albino and is expected to be brought back to Malawi to answer another charge of killing an albino girlfriend in Mulanje.

Britain Committed in Empowerment of Malawi Youth Through ‘Zitheka!’

• Zitheka! Promotes entrepreneurship skills as one way of supporting Malawi economy

• British Council launched the programme on Thursday 

Michael Nevin 

The British High Commission to Malawi says remains committed in championing youth empowerment programmes as one way of supporting Malawi’s economy.

The UK government through British Council on Thursday launched ‘Zitheka!’ initiative (make happen), which aims at raising awareness of entrepreneurship amongst young Malawians and to encourage them to consider entrepreneurship as a viable route to employment for them and others.  The initiative, seeks to provide a forum to explore ideas, learn business skills, network with those who can provide support and above all motivate people to taking action.

In an exclusive interview British High Commissioner to Malawi, His Excellencey Michael Nevin says the launch of Zitheka! is a demonstration of Britain’s commitment in ensuring that Malawi youths have better skills and knowledge of how they can support themselves through entrepreneurship.

“This is not a large scale public works programme for the youth or anything like that but, what we are trying to do is to create a movement, attitude shift whilst also providing (particularly online), some tools, guidance and ideas for basically young people to do for themselves” said Mr. Nevin of this initiative

“As it has been quoted for so many times by ministers in the current government, it would be impossible for either the current private sector or government to provide jobs for such a large pool of young people. So, that means young people have got to side how they are going to help themselves”

The British High Commissioner then said Zitheka! “Is a target” trying to provide young Malawians with some guidance about how to help themselves so that they can also support Malawi economy.

“We have other programmes on economic development and agriculture sector” he said, “But this is particularly targeted on saying, Okay Young Malawians, the future is here but you've got to take it and here is how you might be able to take it. But it’s up to you to take it”

The British envoy explained that though Zitheka! has been done as one off event on Thursday where series of master classes were conducted to about 200 young people in Lilongwe, but all materials will be available on British Council Website and promoted throughout this year to make possible for every young Malawian learn various entrepreneurial skills.

He further said, such materials will assist youth in different stages of developing and implementing an idea, develop business plan and approaches to possible financiers and make that idea into reality. 

Whilst noting that Malawi is a bit lagging behind on youth entrepreneurship as compared to countries like Kenya, Mr. Nevin said initiatives like Zitheka! is another way of making Malawi go through an attitudinal shift for such a problem “This is a kick start on changing attitudes, change approaches by showing that you will need to do things for yourself in usual initiatives and this is types of things that you need to think about to be successful.”

Zitheka! project is part of the ‘Entrepreneurial Africa’ campaign being launched by the British Council to further support entrepreneurialism in Sub-Saharan Africa where a quarter of all young people are out of work and not in education.

The Britsh High Commissioner, Michael Nevin has assured that if the trial of this project develops a better of life, then British Council will see what more to do to extend its reach. 

Girl, 7 Dies in a Home Fire as Man, 25 Commit Suicide After Assaulting Wife in Salima

• Police establish the cause of the fire as a candle left unattended

A little girl, aged 7 got killed in Salima district after her grass thatched home caught on fire late hours of Wednesday, her mom is going to answer charges of conduct likely to cause breach of peace says Police.

Police Public Relations Officer for the district Sergeant Gift Chitowe says the deceased Diana Francis got burnt in her grass shelter located in Kantchetche fishing beach along Lake Malawi whilst a sleep and her body was burnt to almost ashes.

Police says the mother of the daughter is to blame for having left a candle burning as she went for a beer drinking at around 22:00 hours.

The Officer said it was people passing by the house who noticed the house engulfed in flames. 

“Our Investigations reveal that a 24 year old Felista Kumakange’s the mother of the deceased was left her daughter at 22: 30 hours of 18th March to a nearby drinking spree, leaving behind a flickering candle. Suddenly she heard a call from passers-by that her shelter has caught fire” said the Salima Police PRO, “She called for help to cease the fire but to no avail.” 

Sgt Chitowe said post mortem result has revealed that death of the young girl was due to severe burns. 

The officer said the death of little girl ‘Diana’ a Standard 1 pupil of Kachulu primary school in the area of T/A Kuluunda in Salima district was a result of her mother’s negligence. 

The mother of the girl was handed to police by Community Policing members after police had instructed that she had to be given chance to attend her daughter’s funeral ceremony.

In the same district, a 25 year old wife attacker has committed suicide to escape arrest.

• He beaten wife and Hacked her near to death

Sergeant Chitowe said Ibrahim Salimu has died after taking poisonous stuff on 18th March 2015 at Chikwawa Trading Centre.

“The deceased had altercation with his wife on family matters and failed to reach to the compromise. He then took a panga knife” said Sgt Chitowe, “He began hacking his wife, cutting her twice in the head, and another deep cut on the shoulder until she fainted”

The officer said it was at this point the husband thought her wife is dead “In the course of escaping an arrest late Salimu left home to a nearby garden field where he was found dead by some women returning from their garden field. The postmortem has revealed that he consumed poisonous stuff.” 

The injured widow is admitted at Salima hospital and the officer says health officials have confirmed that her health is improving.

The deceased man, Ibrahim Salimu hailed from Kasache village of T/A Makanjira in Salima district.

President Mutharika Sends Strong Warning on Albino Killings

• Condemned albino attacks, abductions and killings

• Describes the malpractice as inhuman and barbaric 

The Malawi President Professor Peter Mutharika finally speaks out against the ‘barbaric’ killings of people born albino- by making a strong warning that his government will hunt down perpetrators without relent until apprehended and justice take its course.

Mutharika was speaking on Thursday afternoon at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe, where in his succinct speech he has condemned the act in strongest terms and described albino killings as “in human and barbaric acts”

“As commander In Chief of Malawi Defense Force and the Malawi Police Services, my message to those perpetrating this is that, we will hunt you down and not relent until apprehended and justice takes full course on you” he said and send his and the First Lady’s message of condolence to families that lost their beloved ones through such “inhuman acts”

President Mutharika while expressing shock of the widespread reports from media of attacks, abductions and killings of albino, he said attacks of people with albinism is evil and threat to human right to life for all human beings enshrined in the republican constitution.

He said he has made a directive to Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Inspector General of Police and all security agencies to be on “high alert” and arrest all people responsible for attacks, abductions and killings of albino.

“I have further directed the Minister, Inspector General and all security agencies to provide maximum protection to our brothers and sisters with albinism”

The Malawi leader has called upon Judiciary to speedup trials for all suspects arrested in connection with attacks and killings of albino so that they move in one direction as government in stopping this vice.

President Mutharika further appealed to all people of good will to cooperate with security agents in reporting all suspected people involved in such barbaric acts. He has assured the nation that he will not allow people born with albinism to live in fear of losing their lives because of their condition following some peoples “unreasonable beliefs”  

Suspected Robber Dies, 1 Survive From Car Accident in Dowa; Two Others At Large

• The accident happened when their driver failed to negotiate a corner

• They were coming from a robbery mission

Unidentified man has died while the other is admitted at Dowa District Hospital after Toyota Stout pickup truck they were travelling in over turned three times in Dowa.

Police in the district says there were four passengers in the vehicle but, are being suspected to have been robbers who were returning from a village where they stole three cattle’s. 

Dowa Police Public Relations Officer Sergeant Richard Kaponda said two other men runaway immediately after the accident happened but one of the passengers who survived the accident is receiving treatment at Dowa Hospital for sustained serious injuries. The survivor has since been identified as Isaac Zakeyu Gwembere aged 32 of Sitole village from T/A Mzuma in Mulanje district. 

The police officer said beef meat was also found in the Toyota Stout pickup truck which its registration number is BJ 3813.

Sgt. Kaponda who said investigation are under way to arrest the two suspects currently on the run, indicated that the four suspected robbers were coming from Chibazi area where they stole three heads of cattle and slaughtered them. He said, they were going to the Capital city Lilongwe via Dzaleka when their driver failed to negotiate a corner and lost control before it over turned thrice. The deceased died on the spot due to head injuries. 

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.”