Man Found With Government Drugs in Salima

Police in Salima District have arrested a man for being found in possession of medical drugs believed to be property of the Malawi Government.

Julius Maliyusi Simfoliano aged 42 from Chagontha village of T/A Kachindamoto in Dedza district is behind bars when caught red handed with medical drugs on Wednesday evening when Salima Police Traffic Personnel were in their usual checks along Salima- Nkhotakota road, but this time around near Salima Secondary School.

Salima Police Public Relations Officer, Sub Inspector Gift Chitowe said the man was found with 436 Bristers of LA (Lumefantrine Artemether) used for the treatment of malaria.

Chitowe says the man was in minibus from Benga in Nkhotakota on his way to Golomoti when police stopped the vehicle and found the drugs.

Sub Inspector Chitowe said the suspect told police that he bought the drugs at Benga trading centre in Nkhota-kota which led police to suspect that drugs must have been bought at Alinafe Mission Hospital at Benga. However such suspicions were dropped when police were informed by the Administrator for the hospital that drug stocks were intact. 

Now, police suspects that the ‘government property drug deader’, Julius Maliyusi Simfoliano must have bought the drugs at one of the hospitals in the town of Nkhota-kota. 

The suspect, Mr Simfoliano is expected to appear before Salima First Grade Magistrate Court soon to answer charges of being found in possession of medical drugs without license.

In a related development in Salima

Police in Salima district, Chipoka have arrested Tamandani Mchepa commonly known as T-Man, aged 35 for being found in possession of Marijuana (Indian Hemp).

The man was arrest when police received a tip that the suspect was travelling along Salima-Balaka road in a vehicle from Salima heading Mangochi direction while in possession of 4 bags of Marijuana, says Salima Police Public Relations Officer Sub Inspector Gift Chitowe.

Chitowe said the suspect got arrested at Chipoka Trading Centre and each bag of the illicit drug weighs 50 Kgs and will appear in court soon to answer charges of found in possession of Indian Hemp. 

Tamandani Mchepa (T- Man) hails from Bitchayi village of T/A Maganga in Salima district.

CMST Hopes To Find Solutions Through Its AGM

The Central Medical Stores Trust (CMST) sees ray of hope that its first ever Annual General Meeting (AGM) will enhance its operations and help to end numerous bottlenecks in its work of procurement and supply of medical drugs.

On Thursday, CMST held its first AGM in the capital city Lilongwe where stakeholders had an opportunity to hear and digest the CMST past activity reports.

Itimu

According to CMST Board Chairperson Evelyn Itimu holding the AGM offer them an opportunity to get views from stakeholders on how they can work together and attain unenterrupted medical supplies in the country's hospitals.

“We have never interacted with the stakeholders" said Itimu, "We have been in operation with all struggles this long and we have never had feedback or input from these stakeholders” 

Then she said the AGM was also a right platform to tackle some of the challenges facing the institution on funding in particular “We are still looking at the issue of recapitalization because we don’t seem to have enough cash flow to operate the trust as a result we are being faced with the challenge of insuffient funds to procure drugs and sometimes when we supply the drugs it takes time to receive the payment.”

Some of the medical supplies showcased at the
AGM

To effectively acquire all medical supplies to last a year, Itimu says CMST requires K40 billion but with prevailing conditions on funding it can not meet that.

However, she said several strategies have been put in place to secure enough funding so that the Trust procure and has more stocks available for the list of the most "must have drugs"

Pharmanova also showcased at the AGM

The CMST Board Chairperson also said that currently, one of the strategies is to cement its partnership with African Development Bank (ADB) who are supporting the Trust with finance and DFID supporting the institution with drug supplies.

New SMS, Data, Internet Tax A Need For Quality Service Says CAMA

As debate on the imposed 10% tax for SMS, Data and Internet, continue being criticized as ‘retrogressive’, the Consumers Association of Malawi (CAMA) eyes beyond the tax.

Gondwe: anunced the tax increment 

Minister of Finance when presenting the Budget statement in the National Assembly, announced the tax increase on SMS, data and internet. Hon Goodall Gondwe argued that Malawians have now access to communication mobile devices at a fordable rates hence imposing 10% tax would be a rights source for government revenue.



However, the decision has been heavily criticised as people still feel Malawi has one of the most expensive mobile communication services whose services are poor.

CAMA says this is also a moment to highlight the need for proper frameworks and legislations for MACRA in the regulation of mobile service providers to improve their services. 

John Kapito

CAMA Executive Director Mr. John Kapito agrees that the new tax on mobile services adds insult to a wound, as already mobile services reap Malawians with high priced poor services. 

But Kapito highlighted that people (ICT Consumers) should now push that Malawi Communication Regulatory Authority (MACRA) implement improved relevant policy frameworks and legislations to enforce service providers help people get high quality affordable services.

Though acknowledging that MACRA has now taken a right path in terms of engaging with consumers, he emphasized that implementation of policy frameworks and legislations that makes MACRA responsive regulatory body and considers views and concerns of the public on mobile service providers would be necessary to end mess in the mobile telecommunication sector.

“Normally issues of Tax government does not consult anybody, government is trying to raise money from wherever it can raise. And they will decide and pounce on any product that they think they can raise money on. So the idea that they went on to the mobile services is an education that they decided to do so, and is something that may be they are now regretting that they did and we are hoping that because they are the listening government they might want to reverse that because it is not helpful at all and not is progressive but retrogressive in nature.”

“So am positive that let’s not get worried about that tax alone there are so many issues in communication that we should be worried than 10%.” He said 

He therefore mentioned the strengthening of regulatory body Malawi Communication Regulatory Authority (MACRA) as the best remedy in the trashing out the mess in the communication sector which is reaping much its customer.

“Once we have done that with the regulator and the regulator being able to monitor and influence change it can help a lot than just 10% increment but that tax is retrogressive.” 

“The key one is improving the policy frame work that MACRA has and their piece of legislation we need to make sure that their act is clear of what they can do. And it has all the frameworks to make them do the work that they are doing."

But Kapito has hailed MACRA for introducing initiatives that makes it stay closer to the public. He said that is a step forward that must be encouraged and seen also happening in the policy framework.

Govt Promise to Improve MDF Infrastructure, Welfare

President Peter Mutharika pose with Army
Officials

Government has assured to improve the welfare of the Malawi Defense Force (MDF) officers as well as their infrastructure.

President Professor Peter Mutharika made the remarks at Kamuzu Barracks home of Second Battalion Malawi Rifles in the Capital City Lilongwe where he was on familiarization tour.

The Malawi leader who said the visit was his opportunity to appreciate newest achievements and challenges experienced by MDF noted that the MDF is facing numerous challenges due to the “prevailing economic conditions”

Then reiterated his government continued support in ensuring the improved welfare of men and women in uniform.

“My government has plans to improve housing and road infrastructure in all Malawi Defense Force establishments in addition to the current projects being implemented”

President Mutharika: Hails army 

The President and also the Commander In chief of the Armed Forces mentioned Changalume Barracks in Zomba as an example where the road project has been completed and that there is ongoing project by Southern Region Water Board connecting water supply to ease water challenges being faced there.

President Mutharika also hailed MDF for the great job which he said has made Malawi proud in many respects here in Malawi and abroad.  He said through peacekeeping missions MDF troops have put Malawian on the map as one of the most disciplined defense force and that their dedication and professionalism has earned medals to some officers and for Malawi as a country.

“Apart from usual defense and security programmes MDF continues to offer civil assistance such as construction bridges and distribution of examination papers as well as election related operations.” He said

“MDF also played a critical role when Malawi faced its worst disaster in the recent floods in the 15 districts of this country.” He said as some of the services that MDF renders in the Malawi while acknowledging also that MDF is greatly contributing to Malawi success stories in managing environment as it is involved in protecting forest reserves such as Dzalanyama and Thuma forest.

Before leaving the Barracks, President Mutharika together with the First Lady handed a K5 million cheque donation to Women Welfare Fund towards the building of the nursery school there and K10 million donation to the Junior Officers Fund which support junior officers with loans.

Mutharika and Commander of MDF

Earlier, Commander of Malawi Defense Force, General Ignacio Maulana hailed the visit describing it as ‘demonstration to commitment of improving the welfare of Malawi troops.’

Maulana also hailed support the MDF gets from government and the general public. He said this has helped MDF to be recognized as a one of the most highly trained and professional military force both within and outside the country.

“I therefore wish to assure you your Excellency that Malawi Defense Force shall continue to perform its tasks in upholding the constitution of Malawi in a unique and resourceful way as it has always done” he said and further promised that MDF shall strive to continue upholding its values that includes high standard of discipline, Military professionalism and patriotism.

He also requested government to support the MDF because it is facing a lot of challenges some of which president Mutharika has seen for himself during inspection tour of the barracks and briefs.

Judge Recusal Application by Kasambara Refused

The High Court in Lilongwe has refused an application to force Justice Michael Mtambo Recuse himself from presiding attempted and conspiracy to commit murder case of former budget director Paul Mphwiyo in 2013.

Application made by Raphael Kasambara, a lawyer and accused in the conspiracy to commit murder has been refused and ruling details to be made this Friday.

Mtambo said he has no reason to recuse himself placing confidence in his ability to remain impartial adding that he did not find reasonable grounds on which to base the perception by Kasambara that he will be bias.

Immediately the judge refused the application, Kasambara expressed interest to challenge the decision to the Supreme Court of Appeal.

This further brought an argument where the state had position that the matter is not at appoint that defense should appeal to Supreme Court as the decision was not final order while Kasambara argued that there are authority cases to prove that what the judge had pronounced was a final order.

Both state and defense have submitted their position and the ruling is expected this Friday.

Come Friday, Judge Michael Mtambo will make two rulling, on full detailed reasons for the court Dismissal of refusal of recusal and then on whether the judge ruling is an order which can be appealed against or not.

On Wednesday Michael Mtambo also dismissed stay application made by Kasambara as he takes the matter to the Supreme Court.

Kasambara wants judge Michael Mtambo to recuse himself from the case citing that the the ruling on case to answer, the judge had predetermined issues that should have been decided at the end of judgement of the case, a development which according to the accused fears that the judge may use the same during final judgement.

During last court session Kasambara further mentioned that there is apparent bias and that Judge Mtambo is too involved siding with prosecution.

Kasambara says Mtambo for introduced “extraneous judicial information” such as Cashgate and predetermining the guilt of the accused persons without evidence during his ruling on whether the accused had a case to answer. Kasambara also wondered where the judge got evidence that there was ‘Cashgate’ between the two when Mphwiyo, in his testimony, had denied any involvement in Cashgate and that his role as budget director did not put him directly responsible for making payments.

Kasambara answering conspiracy to commit murder is in the case together with two other persons McDonald Kumwembe and Pika Manondo are answering attempted murder charges and the case is in defense trials.

The state also made its submissions that there cannot be an appeal in this matter on the recusal because what the judge pronounced was not a final judgement. But Kasambara maintains no saying the state position that this is not a final judgement is wrong, there are authorities that he knows which say that his is final order.

MACRA, CAMA ASKS Consumers To Demand Rights

Malawians have been urged to demand their consumer rights and protest against any market abuses and social injustices.

Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) Director General Andrew Kumbatira made the call in Lilongwe Tuesday morning during the Media and Civil Society Organization Workshop on consumer protection. The call has also been echoed by consumer Association of Malawi (CAMA).

Andrew Kumbatira 

Kumbatira observed that it is disheartening that in the face of abuses at the hands of various operators in Malawi's growing communication sector, consumers remain unacceptably quite.

He said only few individual rights campaigners including Consumer Association of Malawi (CAMA) and few CSOs have been vocal in demanding consumer rights.

"Let me remind each one of you to be assertive. Some of the operators in our communications sector get away with market abuses as a result of our silence. If we collectively speak up we are going to force them to take a notice of the myriad challenges that we are experiencing" Kumbatira urged while emphasise full utilisation of all available channels that MACRA opened up across the country.

He said MACRA is serious in consumer protection issues as now it has among others embark on various initiatives to protect the consumer including the setting up a dedicated Consumer Unit, revising laws to incorporate consumer protection and enhancing monitoring of quality service.

He even assured the communications (ICT) consumer (one using telecommunication services offered by service providers licensed by MACRA for personal use like Access, Airtel, MTL and TNM) that dropping calls and network congestion will be a thing of the past since, MACRA was cleared by the Supreme Court last year to start implementing the Consolidated ICT Regulatory Management System (CIRMS) which among others can monitor quality of service in the sector including assessing the levels of network congestion and dropped calls.

Adding to Kumbatira's call, MACRA Deputy Director of Consumer Affairs, Miss Thokozani Chimbe said everyone has a role to play on demanding consumer rights.

Miss Chimbe said collective voice from consumer themselves demanding their rights from service providers carries more weight than leaving the task to few individuals and CSOs.

The workshop in Lilongwe seeks to build partnership of CSOs, Media and Macra on promoting basic rights of all consumers to demand those rights are respected and protected and to protest against any market abuses and social injustices which undermine those rights. And it is part of MACRAs consumer awareness campaign which was launched in March this year.

These calls comes amid observation that a lot of Malawians do not demand or protest for their rights and in most cases, they leave it in hands of few individuals and civil society to speak on their behalf.

But in reaction to consumer silence in the country, the Consumers Association of Malawi (CAMA) says time has come for Malawians to wake up and begin to demand for their rights whenever they feel that service providers have infringed their rights.

John Kapito

John Kapito CAMA Executive Director says consumer’s needs to utilize all available channels to complain on any infringements of rights.

He also encouraged CSO’s Media and everyone to raise awareness and education of the consumer rights saying this will enable service providers to enhance their service provision.

“I think the issue about demanding the rights is another process that requires a lot of awareness and education and we need to make sure that we are moving with the people in trying to do so. People find demanding rights as something that is useless or is a waste of time. But I think let us inculcate that spirit in people to make sure that when they go out there and their rights have been abused they must continuously demand for them. And once you begin demanding for these rights you find that service provision becomes very good as well.” said Kapito

He hoped that with consistence of messaging at different levels people will begin demanding their rights as consumers.

“Malawians have been on receiving end, but we are saying that can we please stop being on the receiving end, go out there and demand. Challenge the service providers, once you have done that you will find that services that we are talking now to be poor will be better and there will be some change on the market.”

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Low Budget To Affect Infrastructure Rehabilitation Projects

Broken bridge requiring rehabilitation 

Transport and Public Infrastructure programmes would face critical resource challenge this 2015/2016 financial year, there is a meargre allocation to the Ministry of Transport and Public Infrastructure.

Finance Minister Goodall Gondwe announced K901.6 billion budget but transport and public infrastructure ministry has only received K9 billion. 

Transport and Public Infrastructure Committee of Parliament which is scruitnisig the budget predicts great challange in the implementation of some promised critical infrastructure and rehabilitation projects like schools, roads and bridges damaged by this year's floods. 

In an interview the Chairperson for the Committee hon. Victor Mbewe says the committee wants the ministry to have budget allocation of K15 billion for it to fulfil its mandate.

Hon Victor Mbewe

Hon. Mbewe says he committee will push for an upward adjustment to the allocated vote.

Public infrastructure rehabilitation has been one of the government priority this year mainly focusing on the rebuilding of the most affected infrastructure following this years flood. 

“Ministry of transport needs a lot of money its got a lot of projects lined up and new projects as well including the recent floods which devastated our infrastructure which needs rehabilitation”. Said hon. Mbewe

In adequate funding will fail to rehabilitate
Damaged schools 

“Whatever they have allocated to them is not enough they have a lot of challenges and if not enough funds are allocated to them it means their operations will be crippled and we as a committee we would like to make sure that this ministry receive enough money”

Though he said the committee to some degree, understands the rationale behind such allocation which is obviously constraints in the budget, but emphasized that K9 billion is not enough for rehabilitation of stalled projects like Dowa Lumbazi Road Chezi, Nkhufi Msulira Nkhotakota road, Chileka airport rehabilitation, Kamuzu International Airport including other new projects particularly for the aftermonths of floods

“We will continue lobby the treasury to allocate more funds to this ministry to around K15 billion" he said  

He however mentioned that the committee is satisfied with the allocation to Other Recurent Transactions (ORT) for the ministry