MCP, PP Expects Investment Based Budget

Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development is expected this afternoon to present 2015/2016 National Budget in the National Assembly.

Hon Goodall Gondwe is to present a budget statement whose estimates are approximately up to K900 billion.

Expectations from Malawi Congress Party and Peoples Party

Two major opposition parties spokesperson on finance matters in the national assembly have emphasized that government should bring budget that outlines how it intends to promote productivity and less consumption.

According to Peoples Party (PP) Spokesperson on Budget and Finance Matters in the National Assembly honorable Ralph Jooma, this year's budget has to provide not less than 30% to investment and development with minimal allocation to consumption.

"It must be investment budget otherwise we are going to continue facing a lot of problems in this country." Said Jooma

He noted that focus on investments will help Malawi to realise the growth of private sector and alleviate poverty among Malawians rather than budget which focus more on consumption. He said saving little by little will see Malawi in five year time have stable economy.

Similarly, MCP spokesman for Finance matters in parliament honorable Joseph Njobvuyalema said he expects budget which focus much on Incentives for businesses as one way of enhancing economic productivity.

He also mentioned that since government has expressed its continued focus on Subsidy Programme, this year's budget will not add up to anything if there is no clear explanation as well as effective outline of how the mess that characterised the Subsidy Programmes shall be wipeout out so that it benefits Malawians.

Hon Jobvuyalema also expects to hear how government will sort out its outstanding arrears with various companies.

Mw To Pass Access To Information Law This Year- Special Rapporteur

The Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information (ATI) in Africa has expressed hope in the Government of Malawi's assurance that it will enact Access To Information Bill before the end of this year.

An advocate for (ATI) law, Pansy Tlakula, was in Malawi since Sunday on advocacy mission to Malawi to support the initiative of adoption of ATI law and to appreciate the progress made in the enactment of this long awaited legislation. Among others she had series of meetings with ministers, Civil Society Organizations and members of parliament.

Tlakula says is convinced now that there is renewed commitment of the new government to enact the law which is in the process which is steps closer for tabling in parliament.

“We were promised that the bill will be in parliament before the end of the year." She said, "There are a number of issues that still have to be threshed out from the bill and as we speak the bill is in the hands of Minister of Justice and he will be handing it over to the minister of information who has promised us that he will convene in a week or two a meeting of the task force to look at those contentious issues that are still outstanding and to try and resolve them. And after those issues have been resolved, the bill will then be taken to parliament.”

"I know that Malawians have waited for so many years for this access to information law to be a reality but I can assure you that with engagement that I had in the past four days I leave this country with optimism that the bill will indeed see its way through to parliament" said Tlakula who further mentioned that members of parliament assured that they will overwhelmingly support the bill.

But, the special rapporteur has since encouraged Malawians to continue push further for government to live up to its promise on the law. She therefore reminded promises made by President  Professor Peter Mutharika when he campaigned and even in their manifesto of deaire to enact ATI as soon as they get back to power.

"President Mutharika also made similar undertaking when he inaugurated the parliament” she said

“So we were here to encourage him and members of his government to live up to that undertaking" said Tlakula who described her meetings with various officials as "extremely successful"

She continued “I think there is a renewed commitment from government, we have new people in government who have shown commitment to me and I believe what they are saying. I would want to believe that they cannot make these commitments so openly and not deliver on them, and really it is up to the people of this country to go back to them if they don’t deliver on those commitments and to hold them accountable.”

Policy on ATI law was finalised in January 2014 and the Drafted bill was taken to minister of Justice.

Malawi has been struggling for more than 10 years to have Access to Information law and promises were made by governments to adopt the law.

16 countries in Africa have ATI law, the latest being Mozambique

Chairperson for MISA Malawi is Now Excited

MISA Malawi chairperson Thom Khanje considers this high level advocacy mission as timely and imperative in the country’s efforts to have legislation on ATI."

The visit by the Special Rapporteur does not only add impetus to local efforts for Malawi to have legislation on ATI but also demonstrates the importance of ATI in promoting good governance and citizen participation in the democratic process." He said

Khanje also said is happy that after long struggle Malawi Government has shown commitment to enact the law. He a said the law will greatly benefit all Malawians and therefore every Malawian should take part in pushing for the law to be enacted.

The special rapporteur was appointed pursuant to a Resolution of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights as adopted at the African Commission’s 38th Ordinary Session on 5th December, 2005.

Among others, the major focus of the rapporteur’s work has been to encourage AU Member States to adopt Access to Information laws which conform to regional and international standards. To that end, the Special Rapporteur led the process for the development of a Model Law on ATI for Africa to assist Member States in the adoption of ATI Laws that are in line with international principles and standards.

The development of the Model Law was a two and a half year long process, which culminated in its adoption by the African Commission in February 2013, and was launched on April 12 during the 53 Ordinary Session of the African Commission which took place from 9 to 23 April 2013 in Banjul, Gambia.

Malawi is one of the country’s that has used the Model Law in drafting its ATI Bill.

Malawi Govt Challenge CSOs "Educate Malawians On Death Penalty, Homosexuality Before Calls On Changing Laws

Samuel Tembenu 

Malawi Government calls civil society to promote debate and conduct civic education on death penalty and homosexuality issues as it reveals her rejection of 41 recommendations that broadly concern such issues during 2nd Cycle Universal Periodic Review by United Nations on Human rights Council.

Justice and Constitution Affairs Minister, Samuel Tembenu was speaking at a Media briefing on Wednesday in Lilongwe following his return from two Sessions in Banjul and Geneva on the status of human rights in Malawi.

He said 199 recommendations were received from State Parties out of which 145 have enjoyed the support of Malawi government and 13 recommendations will need further consultations.

But said 41 recommendations on same sex relationships and death penalty were rejected because Government position is that people should be allowed to debate freely.

He said Government is therefore challenging civil society to carryout extensive civic education to enable the general populace to contribute to the ultimate decision concerning these issues.

He added that people with opposing views and those in support be given necessary tools to freely articulate their respective view points.

Currently in Malawi same sex marriages are criminal offense, however, the justice minister has assured that though there is no intention of changing the law by removing the sections that make homosexual a criminal offense, no one shall be arrested or discriminated against for being a homosexual.

In Banjul, Gambia, Malawi presented her initial and combined report on the African Charter on Human Rights and Peoples Rights to the African Commission. While in Geneva, Malawi underwent a 2nd Cycle Universal Periodic Review (UPR) by United Nations (UN), Human Rights Council.

“In responding to some of the issues raised by states and in providing clarification, Government stated that it has not received official reports with respect to the issue of Homophobia and that the constitutional guarantees of equality and non-discrimination apply to all people in Malawi without distinction on any grounds.” He said

“Government has done it by setting up a Law Commission to look at these issues like constitutional conferences that were done before where issues of same sex relationships and death penalty were discussed and Malawians said no.”

He then challenged “The current proponents of same sex relationships are the civil society organizations so the challenge we are giving to them is that go out into the village, let the ordinary man understand what you are talking about if you win him over then we should start talking about changing the law but before Malawians understand this thing we cannot change the law.”

“It will not help anybody shouting at government that you haven’t done this” he said, “Let’s take it back to the people because any law that has to be made in this country should be an expression of aspiration of the people Malawi.”

Among others, the minister mentioned that Malawi also informed UN of the various measures being implemented to address the emerging issues of attacks against persons with albinism.

He also indicated that government denied reports made to the UN on the threats to Human rights Defenders and on the issue of curtailment of the right to assembly and holding peaceful demonstrations. He said government has invited UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Rapporteur on Freedom of Assembly to Malawi to assess the situation.

Hon. Tembenu said UPR process will lead to government adopting a number of commitments through acceptance of recommendations that state parties have advanced to Malawi on continued improvement of the human rights situation.

He expressed Malawi Government commitment that, relevant laws will be enacted, continued implementation of relevant programmes and policies, ratification of relevant international human rights instruments, continued strengthening of the capacity of human rights and governance institutions and continued cooperation with United Nations mechanisms.

The Minister said Malawi has been commended in all the two sessions for making strides in the promotion of human rights in areas of gender and women rights, children rights, human rights of vulnerable categories, civil and political rights as well as economic, social and cultural rights.

Man Imprisoned to 10 Yrs For Defiling 3Yr old Girl in Kasungu

Police in Kasungu district have asked Malawians to work together with police in fight against criminal acts of defilement and rape of children.

The call follows recent conviction and sentencing of 23 year old man, George Dzonzi to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling a 3 year old girl child.

According to Kasungu Police Public Relations Officer, Inspector Edwin Kaunda, the girl was defiled when she woke up early morning and went outside to answer call of nature.

Unfortunately, the police officer said the girl met Dzonzi who dragged her in his house and got raped. He said the suspecting mother of the victim entered Dzonzi house where she found her daughter lying on a mat and had semen spots seen on her thighs. The mother reported the matter to Bua police and examination by medical officials revealed that the girl was raped.

Inspector Edwin Kaunda has since urged people to report such issues to police in order to end the problem.

“What we are saying is that we are encouraging each and every Malawian, in whatever kind of society that should they hear or have seen that someone has defiled a girl or rape a woman please they should rush to their nearest police station because that will be very important." Said Kaunda, "Be assured that once we as police receive such reports, we will react immediately, investigate and make arrest quickly”

“As you are aware that police is responsible of protecting property and lives of all people and that includes protecting rights of every person. So we are not relenting on this issue, we are going to play our part ensuring that our children are not defiled."

Inspector Kaunda has asked Malawians who are perpetrating the practice to stop saying they are ruining children's future.

"And we are urging people to refrain from such malpractice of raping, and defiling children. Children are the future of Malawi, therefore raping or defiling them is to damage future of Malawi.”

He went on, “Defilement cause permanent damage to their lives including physical and psychological damage. Let us all hold hands to protect the rights and future of our children.”

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.