EU, Pump in €5 Million to Malawi, Madagascar, Mozambique for Disaster Recovery

The European Union (EU) announces increase humanitarian aid for flood victims.

The European Commission is giving an additional EUR 5 million to Madagascar, Malawi and Mozambique following the floods that ravaged the countries earlier this year.

The aid is aimed at supporting the early recovery process in all three states and comes on top of the EUR 3 million of emergency aid initially released in February.

"The floods that hit Malawi, Mozambique and Madagascar a few months ago were devastating for a region that is already extremely fragile. Months later, the local

populations are still suffering from the consequences and need our help", said EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides. "The aid that we provide today will give much needed relief to the most vulnerable and help them rebuild their lives."

The new funding will help respond to primary needs in the countries, such as food security, agricultural recovery, rehabilitation of shelter and vital infrastructure, water and sanitation, as well as primary health/epidemics prevention.

Malawi CSOs, Parliamentarians Plan For Injunction On MSB Sale

Leaders for the last week Friday 15th May demonstrations against government decision to sale Malawi Savings Bank (MSB), says they will soon seek another alternative of halting the ongoing sale process.

Billy Mayaya a human rights activist says members of Civil Society Organisations together with some Members of Parliament are planning to obtain an injunction restraining government from proceeding with sale of MSB until Malawians understands what is happening on the matter.

He said the injunction will help to stop government from continuing with selling plans and their injunction shall add to last week stay order which others took in Blantyre.

Mayaya has further warned that if all avenues fail to stop government from continuing with the process of selling the bank, people will continue with vigils and demonstrations across the country.

Last Friday, Mayaya led Concerned Malawians to the National Assembly with petition asking legislature to stop government from continuing with MSB sale. However, parliament has recently failed to stop government on the matter through motion passed in February which restrain the sale of MSB pending Budget and Finance Committee to scrutinize the matter and make recommendations.

But, Mayaya says the petition to the National Assembly was a first step in demanding transparency and accountability.

Man, 26, Committed Sodomy to An Epileptic Man in Ntcheu

A 26 year old man in Ntcheu district is spending time in police custody after it was learnt that he had an anal sex with an epileptic man aged 20.

It is not known if the man did the act for magic charm or he is one of the homosexual.

Mr Tokha Nasoni from Ngalande village of T/A Njolomole, in Ntcheu district allegedly committed sodomy with Mr Pilirani Thomson of same village says police in the district.

Hastings Chigalu, Ntcheu Police Public Relations Officer says the victim who suffers from epilepsy was dragged into the house of the accused during the night of 9-10 May 2015.

The victim was forced to sleep with the accused said Chigalu who indicated that the suspect had taken advantage of the victims mental problem.

"Sodomy was realised when the victim had innocently tried to demonstrate to his brother of what he did with the suspect. The development alarmed the relatives of the victim who immediately took the matter to police." Said Chigalu and further indicate that Medical examination at Ntcheu District hospital indicated the man was sodomised.

The accused has since appeared in court answering a case of Buggery (Sodomy) contrary to Section 153 sub section A of the Penal Code which attracts a maximum sentence of 14 years Imprisonment with Hard Labour if found guilty.

Dzaleka Refugees, Communities Improves on Human Rights Awareness-Plan Malawi

Dzaleka Refugee Camp 

Plan Malawi says the project being implemented at Dzaleka Refugee Camp focusing on three thematic areas of human rights, child protection and sexual gender based violence has managed increase rights awareness among the refugees and communities around the camp.

Plan Malawi began the project in 2014 in partnership with UNHCR to enable people recognise, report and fight forms of abuse.

Tiwonge Kamfose Plan Malawi

Tiwonge Kamfose, Project Coordinator for Plan Malawi at Dzaleka Refugee Camp says since last year the project was rolled out, has seen the rise of women and children reporting cases of abuse at the same reduction in cases of sexual gender based violence and child abuse around the camp compared to previous years.

“We are happy now that both people in the camp including children and women and the people from the surrounding communities are able to know their rights and feel free to report any abuse and violence whenever they fall victim. And more importantly, they are able to know relevant institutions to report them.” said Tiwonge Kamfose

“Unlike before where people used to hide sexual gender violence in their respective families and child abuse particularly among the refugees, now after we taught them of their rights as foreigners and respect of Malawi laws, we are now registering positive changes as many people are able to report any form of abuse" said Kamfose who further assured that such rights campaigns have enhanced coexistence between refugees  and members of Dzaleka communities  who are also benefiting from the programme.

She however noted that the project is facing challenges mainly when trying to convince the diverse community to accept issues of child protection and rights due to differing views and cultural background.

“You understand that people living at this camp are from different countries and from different cultures as well. So for them to understand the concept that Plan Malawi is working on where we embrace the issue of Child protection and rights, some thinks we are going agaist their cultural norms. That is our main challenge but through our campaigns such mindset and thinking is fading away and they are taking in and understand what we are talking about.”explained Kamfose

Owen 

Dzaleka Camp Administrator Mr. Owen Nyasulu has commended Plan Malawi project saying it has assisted in raising awareness of refugees rights as well as instill peace with members of communities around Dzaleka camp

“The first thing when it comes to human rights, the person you are targeting with assistance, you need to empower him and give him information and get his views whenever you are planning and managing things. Secondly the host community needs to be empowered with information and knowledge of issues about refugees.”

Nyasulu then said "So plan Malawi project has managed to look into such areas and this is why we are happy that since the initiative was implemented last year, we have  observed change in knowledge of their rights as well as good relationships with surrounding communities."

Father Murder His Daughter In Fight With Wife

A 23 year man is in police custody in Salima district for murder of five months old daughter during a fierce fight with his wife.

The man, has been identified by police as Madalitso Malowa of Kambwiri village T/A Kambwiri from Salima district and was fighting with his wife who had at the time carrying the baby on her back on Sunday, 17th May 2015.

According to Salima Police Public Relations Officer, Sub Inspector Gift Chitowe, Madalitso Malowa's punch which missed his wife, landed on the head of his five month old daughter who fainted on the spot.

Sub Inspector Chitowe says the child was rushed to Salima District hospital where she was pronounced dead.

The officer says medical officials said the child died due to head injuries.

The suspect will appear in court soon to answer murder charges says Chitowe.

Still in the same district

Police in Salima have embarked on a campaign on revamping community policing structures as one way of strengthening the security within Salima District.

Police Public Relations Officer for Salima district, Sub Inspector Gift Chitowe says, police in the district has put in on going programmes of revamping community policing structures, strengthening the weak as well as train the personnel on how they can effectively and efficiently conduct their duties.

Chitowe said when addressing the Station Executive Committee members over the weekend, Officer In Charge for Salima Police Mr. James Bwela who is also a Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police urged the public to work in collaboration with the police by reporting any suspected persons to police so that such criminals should face the law.

Malawians Say ‘No’ to MSB Sale In Petition to Parliament, Finance Minister

• Petition was sent to Parliament and Minister of Finance asking government to stop plans to sell MSB

• Warns of series of national wide demonstrations and call for early elections if demands are not met in 60 days 

Petitioners (Bright Kampaundi in front)

Malawians against the sale of Malawi Savings Bank (MSB) have asked government to halt the ongoing process of selling the bank pending input from ordinary Malawians through National Assembly.

Government is insisting to sale MSB for financial problems the bank is going through and that it has debt amounting to K6 billion.

Rhino Chiphiko listening petitioners 

The petition from concerned Malawians has been presented Friday afternoon to the National Assembly then to Minister of Finance and Secretary to the Treasury.

The letter has warned that once the demands never met in 60 days people shall have no choice but continue with series of civil disobedience events that shall include; holding vigils at all MSB Branches and at Parliament building. 

Hon Chiphiko receiving petition
From Billy Mayaya

The petition also says people shall call for fresh elections to usher in a crop of new leaders who will serve people’s interests as citizens of Malawi.

When reading out petition, Billy Mayaya said Malawians are against the sale of MSB which they own because its assists them well since it has branches across the country.

Petitioners singing before petition
was handed to Parliament 

“We, people of Malawi, have come here to deliver the strong message to members of Parliament that Malawians say ‘No’ to the sale of Malawi Savings Bank (MSB)” he said

He mentioned that the plan to sale the bank without consulting Malawians is bleach of trust people placed in government because that is contravention to Constitutional fundamental principles which states that all powers of the state come from the people and that all people responsible for the exercise of power do so based on the trust of the people of Malawi through open, accountable and transparent government.

“The decision to sale MSB is ill conceived because we the people of Malawi have not been consulted on the matter. Malawi Savings Bank runs on our hard earned taxpayer money and yet our voices are being silenced.” Said Mayaya and asked government to halt any process to sell the bank pending the National Assembly to fully discuss the matter on people’s behalf in a transparent and accountable manner.

While the petition is claiming that plan to sale MSB is tantamount to Cashgate it also indicates that it is government move to push burden to taxpayer to pay off loans that businessmen with political connections owes the bank citing Muli Brothers who owe the bank up to K4 billion.

The petition demands that National Assembly debates and approve the recapitalization of MSB as well as summon Minister of Finance, Secretary to the Treasury and Public Private Partnership.

Petitioners at Civic Offices 

It further asks the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to investigate the matter and that all politicians and businessmen who took the loans repay them failing which their assets must be seized forthwith.

At parliament Building, Chairperson for Budget and Finance Committee of Parliament, Honorable Rhino Chiphiko received the petition on behalf of Speaker while at Lilongwe Civic Offices, spokesperson for the ministry of Finance, Mr. Nations Msowoya received the letter on behalf of the Minister and Secretary to Treasury.

Nations Msowoya (right)

In his remarks, Hon Rhino Chiphiko welcomed the decision to present the petition to the National Assembly “Your coming here, shows that parliament is very important and has jurisdiction of these matter.”

Chiphiko said next week his committee is to be present the report in the house on the same issue following the 26th February 2015, motion moved by Dowa West legislature which placed Budget and Finance Committee to oversee the matter and make recommendations.

Fryson Chodzi reading out names of businessmen
who owe MSB

A total of five human rights activists have signed the petition namely; Gift Trapence of Centre for the Development of People (Cedep), Timothy Mtambo of Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR), Billy Mayaya a Human Rights Defender, Fryson Chodzi of Forum for National Development (FND) and Bright Kampaundi of Youth and Childrens Rights Shield (YCRS).

83 Nabbed In Sweeping Exercise, 5 For Marijuana Smuggling in Kasungu

Police in Kasungu district nabbed 83 people during a sweeping exercise in the night of 12 to 13 May2015 at Nkhamenya, Bua and Mtunthama trading centres.

The exercise, according to Kasungu Police Deputy Public Relations Officer Edna Mzingwitsa was done with an aim to smoke out criminals.

The police officer said 6 women age ranges from 18 to 24 were were arrested together with 77 men of age range 20 to 35.

Mzingwitsa says all suspects will appear in court soon to answer charges of rogue and vagabond, idle and disorderly as well as earning a living through prostitution.

In the same district

Police have arrested five people for being found with thirteen bags of Marijuana packed in 50kg bags.

Deputy Public Relations Officer for Kasungu Police Edna Mzingwitsa says the suspects whose ages range from 20 to 38 includes a female suspect, were arrested on 12 May 2015, as were travelling with the illegal substance from Nkhamenya to Lilongwe.

The suspects have been identified as; John Maselino 29 year old from Lilongwe, Ken Machemba aged 21 from Lilongwe, Innocent Banda aged 20 from Mchinji district, Bertha Zigona aged 22 from Kasungu district and Andiseni Mwale aged 38 from Kasungu district

Mzingwitsa says before arrest the suspects made an attempt of running away from Chisazima roadblock but the well wishers tipped the police about the suspicious vehicle  they were using and when police follow up the tipoff, managed to arrest them within Chisadzima village.

The suspects are still in Police custody and they will appear before court soon to the charge of being found in possession of Cannabis Sativa says Police officer.