World Wildlife Day: Malawi Govt Postpone Burning of Ivory

The Government of Malawi has postponed plans to burn 4 tonnes of seized ivory as part of this year’s commemoration of the World Wildlife Day.

The day being commemorated under the theme ‘Time to Get Out with Wildlife Crime’ was to be marked by torching of 4 tons of seized ivory in demonstrating to the world that Malawi is determined to eradicate wildlife crime and prevent seized ivory from getting back into hands of illicit wildlife traders.

President Mutharika has been expected to set to light the stock pile of ivory equated to roughly 500 elephants at Parliament buildings after solidarity walk from Capital Hotel roundabout.

However, a statement signed by, Hon Kondwani Nankhumwa, Minister of Information, Tourism and Culture, says this postponement is due to a slight change in the programme of the event as a consequence of new information that has emerged.

"The commemorations will proceed as planned. But the burning of the ivory has been postponed because Government has been advised that another 2.6 tonnes of ivory is still in the system as exhibits awaiting conclusion of cases which are pending in the courts." Says Nankhumwa

"Once these cases are concluded, all 6.6 tonnes of the ivory will be destroyed all together at a time and date to be announced in future." He continued 

"While Government remains committed to fight wildlife crime, including protection of iconic species of elephants and rhinos, which are key for tourism promotion in Malawi, it is important that the entire stockpile of ivory is destroyed once and for all." Further reads the statement 

Shot Suspect Die At Hospital, 1 in Police Custody for Robbery

A male suspected robber, Mada Soniala whose full details are not yet known and was shot on Wednesday morning by Kanengo Police officers has died at Kamuzu Central Hospital while receiving treatment. However, fellow suspect Jacob Ngwira aged 31 from Mponda village  T/A Nsamala in Balaka is under police custody for robbery says police.

Kanengo Police Station says the two were among the group of criminals who attacked the house of Mr. Rodrick Langwe, an Assistant District Registrar of National Registration Bureau during the night of 31 March 2015. 

Sergeant Esther Mkwanda, Kanengo Police Public Relations Officer said thieves armed with pangas invaded the house and wounded the owner before they went away with vehicle, Suzuki Swift registration number NN 637, cash, laptops, home appliances and beddings, among others.

Sgt Mkwanda said police were informed on Wednesday morning of the incident and began their investigations which resulted in the arrest of Jacob Ngwira and Mada Soniala.

The police officer said detectives found the vehicle abandoned in Chilinde and that other reported stolen items were recovered when the arrest was made.

Sergeant Esther Mkwanda however, explained that Mada Soniyala was shot Wednesday morning hours at the house of fellow suspect, Jacob Ngwira in area 25 as police were at the home trying to recover some stolen property that the two and others had stolen Tuesday night.

“Mada and our detectives were at Jacob Ngwira’s house to recover some of the suspected stolen property. However, Mada tried to snatch the rifle from one of the officers hand, in the process the gun was fired and shot him on the leg.”

“Unfortunately, Mada has died at Kamuzu Central Hospital in the afternoon on Wednesday while receiving treatment” confirmed Sgt Mkwanda

“We have arrested these criminals through our investigations and we are expecting to arrest the remaining suspects” added the Kanengo PRO

“Our immediate arrest of these two only shows that police are serious and committed to do their work of combating crime. This is also our message to the public that whenever we receive information we don’t hesitate but to react" said Sgt Mkwanda

The Kanengo Police PRO, further urged members of the general public to continue tipping police with information of criminals found in their areas. 

No Elephant Poaching, Protect Wildlife Animals- Malawi Wildlife Campaigners

President Mutharika Burning Ivory this Thursday

Malawians have been asked to protect and conserve Wildlife animals as the country joins the rest of the world in commemorating the World Wildlife Day this Thursday.

The day being commemorated under the theme ‘Time to Get Out with Wildlife Crime’ is to be marked by torching of 4 tons of seized ivory in demonstrating to the world that Malawi is determined to eradicate wildlife crime and prevent seized ivory from getting back into hands of illicit wildlife traders.

President Mutharika is expected to set to light the stock pile of ivory equated to roughly 500 elephants at Parliament buildings after solidarity walk from Capital Hotel roundabout.

According to Lilongwe Wildlife Trust, the seized ivory is believed to have originated not only from Malawi but also from variety of sources including neighboring countries of Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique.

Speaking at a Press briefing in Lilongwe on Wednesday, Lilongwe Wildlife Trust Marketing Manager Victoria Mopiwa said “Our message to Malawian people is that our wildlife is declining, so we need to protect our wildlife” and urged people to stop wildlife crime like poaching into protected areas (national parks), illegal wildlife trade and illegal stock of pet and wildlife animals.

Burning of ivory this Thursday, Malawi would be the eleventh country to publicly destroy ivory stockpiles in the last 21 months and first country to do so in Southern Africa since Zambia in 1992.

It is highly alleged that Malawi is just being targeted as a transit route by traffickers particularly from neighboring countries moving over 500kg at a time as records indicate, 2.6 tonnes of ivory were confiscated in May 2013 by Malawi Revenue Authority in Mzuzu and in the past 4 years there have been 40 cases of ivory trafficking at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) alone. 

However, Lilongwe Wildlife Trust says current population of elephants are estimated around 1500 which is a major decline. Records also indicates that some protected areas like Kasungu National Park, elephants have declined by over 50% in recent years that is from 2000 in early 1990’s. Besides, half of reintroduced rhino at Liwonde National Park has been lost as a result of illegal killing.

Poaching levels are reaching alarming levels and the annual economic losses due from poaching to Malawi has been calculated to be the order of K1.2 billion (US $8.4 million) (Government of Malawi (2011) Economic Evaluation of sustainable natural resource use in Malawi. 

In a video documentary of about 8 minutes and 20 seconds shown to members of press, produced for the Stop Wildlife Crime and features music artists, Lawi and Sally Nyundo as Wildlife Activists, a man is heard in the background asking children probably spotted at a Wildlife centre if any of their friends, relatives or they know anyone ever seen elephant. But the children reply is ‘no’. 

The documentary indicates, 71% of elephants declined in Malawi from 2002 to 2006, and Dixie Makwale, Senior parks Officer in the Department of National Parks and Wildlife therein has emphasized that if people don’t stop poaching elephants then in a decade Elephants existence in Malawians shall be history. 

Director in Department of Tourism, Patricia Liabuba has also in the documentary, asked Malawians to protect wildlife animals because are very significant for Malawi tourism and job creation which may contribute to economic growth and poverty reduction.

The ‘Stop Wildlife Crime. Protect Malawi’s Wildlife’ campaign, was launched on World Wildlife Day in March 2014 as joint initiative between Lilongwe Wildlife Trust and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife. It among others aim at raise awareness about the seriousness of wildlife crime and importance of protecting natural heritage as well as reporting wildlife crime and pushing wildlife conservation issues onto agenda of decision makers.

Last year the campaign involved petition which asked government to say not to ivory and burn the confiscated ivory.

This year, the campaign is highlighting elephant poaching and ivory trafficking as serious wildlife crimes along with many other crimes including illegal logging which could soon lead to extinction of the Mulanje cedar and pet and bushmeat trades which impact wildlife welfare.

Currently, Malawi is also trying to tighten its controls by initiating a 10 year National Elephant Action Plan which aims under Elephant Protection Initiative (EPI) to secure its funding necessary to protect elephants and strengthen its efforts to crack down on traffickers who have seen Malawi as a soft target to export ivory from the country.

Yao Ethnic Group Register’s ‘Chiwanja Cha A Yao’

The Yao ethnic group in Malawi has a unified heritage ‘Chiwanja Cha a Yao’ which seeks to promote their cultural aspects.

Chiwanja Cha a Yao has since been registered following consultation meetings with Yao chiefs and leaders of other Yao groupings, says interim chairperson for Chiwanja Cha a Yao, Dr. Allan Chilimba.

Yao ethnic group had several groupings including Chiwanja Cha Umo Wa Yao, Likuga Lya a Yao, Ndamo Sya a Yao and other splinter groups.

For example, said Chilimba “We can assist Ministry of Health in promoting all health issues like on HIV Aids because we are able to understand our own culture.” He continued, “Even on environmental degradation civic education, we can do that by incorporating our own education system of Jando, Litiwo and Nsondo, we can do a lot of work with government.”

The group has made it clear that Chaiwanja Cha a Yao is non-political as it observes individual rights to freely; belong to, participate or support any political party and ideologies.

Some of the interim members of Chiwanja Cha a Yao include; Rev. McDonald Sembereka, Publicity Secretary; Ronnex Issa, Secretary; Khadija Paseli, Treasurer and Alhaji Twaibu Lawe as vice chairperson.

“During the consultations there was consensus that one heritage be formed and others deregistered” said Dr. Allan Chilimba, “The chiefs were instrumental in this process and we agreed that the Yao heritage group should be named Chiwanja Cha a Yao”

The interim chair said, every person born Yao is automatic member for the group. However, he mentioned that everyone expressing interest to attend and be elected in the National Executive Committee during the upcoming General Meeting must get registered through various interim committee members found in their nearest districts.

Dr. Chilimba further indicated that, the group has opened a bank account with First Merchant Bank (FMB) with; name, Chiwanja Cha Ayao; Account number, 5263943333; and branch, Capital City. He therefore requested that, all Yao’s should make financial contributions towards the launch of Chiwanja Cha A Yao in September this year.

Speaking of the impact that Chiwanja Cha a Yao would bring to Malawi, Dr. Allan Chilimba said “You will note that the Yao tribe is one of the largest ethnic group and has over 60 Traditional Authority (T/A’s) in the country and if the group is not well organized it will be difficult for government to contact them. But if we have strong organization of Yao people, then it will be easy for Yao’s to assist the government to achieve some of the developments in the country because it will be easy for government to contact them and initiate various development projects in their areas.”

For example, said Chilimba “We can assist Ministry of Health in promoting all health issues like on HIV Aids because we are able to understand our own culture.” He continued, “Even on environmental degradation civic education, we can do that by incorporating our own education system of Jando, Litiwo and Nsondo, we can do a lot of work with government.”

The group has made it clear that Chaiwanja Cha a Yao is non-political as it observes individual rights to freely; belong to, participate or support any political party and ideologies. 

Some of the interim members of Chiwanja Cha a Yao include; Rev. McDonald Sembereka, Publicity Secretary; Ronnex Issa, Secretary; Khadija Paseli, Treasurer and Alhaji Twaibu Lawe as vice chairperson.

Malawians Enjoyed Luciano’s Show; Luciano Urge Malawi Artist to Remain Original

Luciano "Jah Messenger" did not give fans a dull performance Saturday night at Silver Stadium in the Capital Lilongwe. Some of those who patronized the show say Luciano performance was lively and he indeed made his lovely music come to life.

Luciano who appeared on stage at around 23:00 hours, was dressed in a Rastafarian pale cool brown khaki jacket and camouflage pair of trouser with military boot. He also had put on a conical hat while holding a Rastafarian walking stick on his left hand.

 

The ‘Jah Messenger’ remembered to great fans in Chichewa and could often times say “Zikomo!” (Tank you). Apart from his impressive dancing moves he did not forget to mention "Malawi" in almost more than 20 songs he performed.

Luciano did some somersault as he sings some of his unforgettable songs from various albums and in two occasions, he jumped out of stage to hug fans but with a block formed by security personnel’s they could not easily touch him.


With quality crystal clear sound system, Luciano was supported by South African Group in performing songs among them, Ulterior Motive, Lord Give Me Strength, Sweep Over My Soul, Who Could It Be and Knocking on Heavens Door.



In an interview immediately he finished his outstanding performance, Luciano asked Malawi artists to be original, “Write your own Music and be true” He added, “Aim for the sky, because sky has no limit”

Asked if he plans to collaborate with Malawian or African Artists Luciano replied, “Honestly I respect all Born Afrikan work and I really appreciate. Collaborating with that man on stage was a great vibes. It’s like a home coming for me, its family vibes really. I don’t feel like when am in Europe, I now feel like one with my people. Am going to share stage and productions along with this man, feeling the vibes”

 

About his coming he said “Oooh! It has been a great feeling man, it’s been long awaited and well anticipated. As people kept waiting for me I have been waiting also. So its anticipation from all side”

 

His last year decision to cancel the show following Ebola outbreak in Africa, Luciano said “It was not just Malawi it was an African tour that we had to postpone. We didn’t cancel it, because if we had canceled it we wouldn’t be here today. We postpone for a later date because, at the same time there was Ebola problem there was Chikungunya outbreak in Jamaica. And I caught Chikungunya, I had pain all over my joints.

 

He expressed strong desire to be back in Malawi just to have time with fellow Rastafarian Nyahbinghi’s, saying “I belong to something here”

Born Afrika performing

Born Afrikan owner of Born Afrikan productions has since expressed gratitude for support he is receiving from both Malawians and people from other countries who always participate in music shows he brings to Malawi.

“Am Happy with the turnout and support, I can’t ask for more” he said, “if there is more, then more will come”

“Look I don’t stay in Malawi and I can’t forget what Malawi is all about, I know Malawians love reggae as much as they love other genres of music, I bring them Reggae and am happy with the support”




 However, he said Born Afrikan Productions company will not be restricted in organizing only Reggae shows and bringing artists from Jamaica, but will also promote all genres of music whether Hip hop or House, “As much as Reggae is the core foundation for my company and being an artist, we will also give attention to promoting other types of music.”

Last year in December, Born African Productions also brought Fantan Mojah to Malawi.

Kandoje Spends Four Nights in Custody as Bail Hearing Expected on Monday at High Court

• The case has been committed to High Court and defense Lawyer was denied bail hearing by Senior Resident Magistrate Court 

• Kandoje charged with two counts is expected to apply for bail on Monday

The Malawi's Former Accountant General David Bill Kandoje will spend four nights in police custody as his lawyer failed to convince Lilongwe Senior Resident Magistrate Court to hear the bail application after the case had already been committed to High court.  

Kandoje, who was arrested on Thursday 26th March, 205 worked as Malawi Accountant General, appeared this Friday evening before Senior Resident Magistrate Patrick Chirwa for formal charge.

Immediately the court had read out his charges and understood by the defendant, the state prosecutor Imrani Saidi prayed that the case be committed to High Court arguing that circumstances and nature of the offense would be better in jurisdiction of the constitutional court.

Successfully, Senior Resident Magistrate Chirwa accepted the application by issuing a certificate of referring the matter to High Court.

However, defense counsel Khumbo Bonzo Soko asked the court to hear bail application. But Snr Patrick Chirwa while acknowledging that it is everyone’s right to apply for a bail but was quick to mention that having committed the case to proceed in High Court puts the lower court in a tricky situation and therefore could not hear bail application until such a time when the high court will make determination in such circumstances.

In an interview, the defense said would commence with bail application on Monday at the High Court.

David Bill Kandoje has been formally charged with two counts of Abuse of Public Office contrary to section 25B (1) of Corrupt Practices Act and Theft by Person Contrary to Section 283 (1) of the Penal Code.

The first charge particulars are that “David Kandoje in or around August 2013, being a public officer named Accountant General abused his office or position status authority as public officer by signing a cheque numbered 016148 containing the sum of K244 Million and another cheque numbered 016149 containing the sum of K255 property of Malawi government to his personal advantage and for the advantage of Stanford Mpoola the registered owner of Staddal Building Contractors when said Stanford Mpoola had not through his company provided any goods or rendered any services to government.

The particulars of second charge reads, “David Kandoje being person employed in the public service namely Accountant General stored K500 million property of Malawi government and that happened under his controlling custody.”

Kandoje was arrested on Thursday 26th July by Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).

In a statement, the bureau said on 12th September, 2013, the Anti-Corruption Bureau received a complaint alleging that Government Officers at Capital Hill were making illegal entries in the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS). But investigations by te bureau established that Mr. David Kandoje, the then Accountant General authorised payment of two cheques amounting to MK500m payable to Staddal Building Contractors without appropriate supporting documents.

The bureau further indicated that it was likely to charge him wit; One count of abuse of public office contrary to Section 25 B (1) of the Corrupt Practices Act; One count of procuring of a person for the improper payment of public money contrary to Section 88 g (1) of the Public Finance Management Act; and One count of theft contrary to Section 178 as read with Section 21 of the Penal Code.

Malawi Benefits From Disaster Risk Reduction UN Conference

The Malawi government is certain that the level of harm caused by this year’s worst flash floods would be significantly reduced if similar floods happen again anytime in future.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation hon Dr. George Chaponda has uttered the comment following his return from Japan where he attended the Third UN Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction where among other things he said, Malawi has learn a lot from other countries that had similar experience of floods.

The conference, reviewed progress made in the implementation of Hyogo Framework of Action (HFA) and to consider and adopt its successor, Post-2015 Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. 

Speaking on Thursday evening at a Press Conference at Capital Hill, Chaponda emphasized that it was necessary for Malawi to attend the summit following recent experience of floods which has left over 230 thousand people displaced as well as damages on property, crops and infrastructure.

“It became necessary to see what we would learn from this UN conference and also share experience with other countries that have been experiencing these issues.” He said, and assured that “It was a good learning experience”

“Agreement from the frameworks will help us to develop resilient measures so that when similar disaster happens again, we should not experience deaths and other serious damages” said Chaponda

The Foreign Affairs Minister, explained that the UN summit has given Malawi an opportunity to among others adopt new techniques on building good houses that can withstand flooding water, measures in dealing with affected people and use of modern metrological technologies that can detect and give early warnings of disaster occurrences.

He added that through JAICA, the Japanese government plans to assist Malawi in dealing with issues of water movements particularly in some parts of Lower Shire which are frequent with floods.

According to Chaponda, the conference also adopted the first major agreement of the Post-2015 Development Agenda, a far-reaching new framework for disaster risk reduction with seven targets which if successfully implemented, countries will achieve a substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods and health.

Some of the targets are a substantial reduction in; global disaster mortality, numbers of affected people, damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services; increased access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster information and assessments as well as enhanced international cooperation.

After attending the conference, Chaponda had several meetings with companies and governments where he invited them to assist and invest in Malawi.

After finishing his business in Japan, the Minister went to Namibia where he attended inauguration ceremony of President Hage Geingob.