Police File Details Death of An Officer Shot By Armed Robbers

Though Malawi Police Service decline to reveal the identity of a police officer shot dead and two others injure by armed robbers Monday morning, the social media had in the same day evening shared file believed to be the police report sourced from police.

The report includes names of both victims and suspected robbers as well as detailed events of the shooting.

This is a file being shared on the social media

MURDER / ARMED ROBBERY

DECEASED: NO: A5517 SGT. ANTHONY MKOKHO

Occurred today the 8th June 2015 near Cashbuild roundabout Lilongwe at about 0900hrs.

Brief Facts are that on this date No. A5517 Sgt Mkokho, Vge; Manyamba, T/A; Tchena, District; Mulanje, C/O PMS C Division  and No. B3060 Const James Clifford; Village; Chizuma, T/A; Mphoma, District: Nkhotakota C/O PMS C Division were on escort duties of Petroda Money in a Minibus BQ 3472 Toyota Hiace Driven by Mr Wilson Chikweya, age: 33 years, Village; Mtekateka, T/A; Mponela, District; Dowa, C/O Petroda Malawi and accompanied by an Accountant Mr. Hassan Ali, Aged: 44years, Kenyan National, C/O Petroda Malawi Limited.

They collected the money approx K46.4 million kwacha sales from various filling stations to petroda Headquarters in area 4 filling station near kamuzu Central Hospital Roundabout. At this time they were proceeding to FMB Bank.

When they reached near Cash build roundabout unknown criminals using BS 6189 Nissan Tilda Saloon (stolen from area 9 but belonging to Isaland Investment Real  Real Number MJ 7494 Nissan Tilda)

The criminals blocked the Minibus, the police officers consequently fired one bullet to scare away the criminals. The criminals came out from their vehicle and started shooting at the Minibus.

In the process No. A5517 Sgt. Anthony Mkokho was killed on the scene while while No. B3060 Constable James Clifford was shot in the head and he is critically injured noe admitted at Kamuzu Central Hospital. The criminals run away with a bag of money amounting to K46.4 Million.

After the incident at cash build the criminals took the road to crossroads roundabout into Chitukuko road direction. Upon reaching Chitukuko, they attacked a Nissan Bongo Minibus MH 6100  driven by by Mr Gerald Tsogolani, C/O Mr Innocent Meja PSI Malawi, Box 30133, Lilongwe 3. They shot some bullets to scare passengers and subsequently hijacked the Minibus.
Fortunately Zone 2 under supervision of Insp Duncan Duncan Kamanga of Lingadzi Police who were in area 47 sector 2, reacted quickly to the scene.

On the scene,  BS 6189 Nissan Tilda Saloon a vehicle used criminals,  K2C rifle serial No. K007376 with with 5 rounds of ammunitions snatched from Police Officers were recovered. One K2C rifle serial No. K0078147 has been stolen. However the criminals used two bullets from Police firearm and have gone away with 3 rounds of live ammunitions.
Follow up minibus MH 6100 Nissan Bongo was recovered near Majesty Lodge in area 47. Currently investigations to trace and arrest the criminals have been  intensified.

However information from well wishers indicate that Ex Police Officers Mr Richard Tsotsi Phiri who was dismissed from PMS, Mr. Makina a known Armed Robber, Mr. Fred Juma and Benson Harawa (whose driving license and ATM Card were found in the car used by these criminals are the people who were also  involved in area 47 Robberies) are the main suspects.

Mphwiyo Shooting Case: Am Impartial Justice Mtambo Tell Kasambara

Justice Michael Mtambo has explained reasons why he refused to grant Raphael Kasambara an application that the judge hearing the case of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder of former budget director Paul Mphwiyo, recuse himself from hearing the case.

Kasambara found with case to answer and self represented lawyer in the case made an application that judge Justice Michael Mtambo should recuse himself from hearing the case.

He cited that Mtambo in his ruling on case to answer or no case to answer had brought issues that were not testified by the witnesses. He added that the judgment which saw three others being acquitted from the case had predetermined issues that would make the judge use in his final judgment and the judge seem to be siding with the prosecution.

However, justice Mtambo said, he remains professional and that he cannot take side. Mtambo also mentioned that his judgment of case to answer or no case to answer Kasambara was favored as the judge dropped him from the case of attempted murder. 

The case has been adjourned to 24th July 2015 following defense application that the court produce court records of the witnesses to enable them ably prepare for the defense.

On House Keeping, the court also agreed that the same date the defense shall tell the court if the accused are going to testify or remain silent. If they are going to testify the defense shall also be expected to inform the court if they are going to testify alone or are calling witnesses (This is in the view of the law which requires that it is not automatic that the person accused in the crime would testify in defense (right to remain silence))

Raphael Kasambara is one of the suspects in the case together with McDonal Kumwembe and Pika Manondo answering attempted murder of Paul Mphwiyo. Three others; Dauka Manondo, Robert Kadzuwa and Oswald Lutepo were acquitted after being found with no case to answer.

“No Panic” Says Police As Malawians Are Shocked with Death of Police Officer

Hon Atupele Muluzi& Lexten Kachama

Malawi Police Service says Malawians should not panic, as the death of police officer shot by armed criminals shock the nation.

Inspector General (IG) of Malawi Police Service Lexten Kachama made the remarks Monday evening in Lilongwe when giving an update of the armed robbery leading to the death of one police officer and serious injury of another officer and an official from Petroda filling station.

The two survivors are receiving treatment at Kamuzu Central Hospital after being attacked on Monday morning at around 10:00 hours near Cash build in the Capital city, Lilongwe by unidentified armed robbers. 

The three were in a police escort taking Petroda filling station money to the bank using Petroda minibus registration number BQ 3422. But unexpectedly, armed robbers fired shots at the bus killing one officer and injured the two before going away with the cash. 

No arrest has been made but police have managed to recover the attacked minibus and the vehicle used in the crime together with a pistol stolen from the officer killed in the action.

The Police IG, Kachama who was with the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security honorable Atupele Muluzi at the briefing declined to disclose particulars of the victims saying police will reveal them once communication is passed on to their family members. 

Kachama said Malawi police is deeply saddened with the death and critical injury of another officer and has condemned the incident calling it “barbaric unbecoming practice” 

“Police is however assuring the members of the general public not to panic and live in fear” he said, “Police are on the ground day and night living no stone unturned to arrest those involved in the commission of the crime”

He said roadblocks have been mounted across the country, intensive foot and vehicle patrols are being conducted and that civilian clothed police officers are on the ground to investigate the incident.

Kachama however, appealed to general public to tip police and that those who witnessed the crime should help police with information to be treated with confidentiality.

The Police IG also asked police officers not to be discouraged with this incident. While asking Malawians to work together with police Kachama also assured the nation that police shall wake and fight crime according to the laws of Malawi and will use all possible means. 

Muluzi and Kachama

Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Hon Atupele Muluzi who sent his sympathy to the victims, has described the deceased officer as a “brave officer that lost his life today during his line of duty” 

Hon Muluzi mentioned that issues of safety and security of citizens and investors is high priority for government. He said this incident is one of the unusual incidences and promised that the matter will handled very seriously. 

“I would like to join the Inspector of Police to assure the general public that we are taking these incidences very, very seriously indeed. Perpetrators will be caught” he assured, and repeated “Perpetrators will be caught and put behind bars where ever they may be.”

The Minister also echoed Kachama remarks that Malawi police is geared to take a decisive action to send strong message to criminals and appealed that Malawians should share with police any information of whereabouts of these criminals. 

During the press briefing the Inspector General of Police indicated that about five criminals were at the scene during the shooting and that more than sixteen bullets were shot. 

Kachama who described the situation as “Pathetic” having lost a life of a police officer on his line of duty also said it is apparent that the two officers were in a terrible situation which he hopes they were taken by surprise.

Malawians Welcome Suspension of MSB Sale

Demonstrators against MSB sale 

Malawians welcome President Mutharika decision to suspend the sale of Malawi Savings Bank and pave way for the public debate. 

On Wednesday evening President Mutharika announced the suspension of the sale having listened to both opposing and supporting views.

Recently some concerned Malawians and Civil Society Organisations protested against the sale of MSB 

President Mutharika in a statement did not hide to mention that though a lot spoke with one voice, but those who have ventured to do so have mostly spoken from a partisan point of view or without full knowledge or proper information. As a result, the real and actual financial status of Malawi Savings Bank has been blurred.

President Mutharika 

In a statement President Mutharika says though the fact remains that MSB has serious liquidity problems which financial experts maintains the disposal of the bank, it is clear that the reasons for opposition are political for some people and sentimental for others

Mutharika has called upon everyone to approach this matter with an open mind.

Mutharika has further invited all those who have spoken on this matter including the Members of Parliament, civil society organizations and the experts to come up with reasonable proposals covering all the aspects of the transaction so that they map the way forward and further appeals to all sides of the debate to speak about this matter in a manner which is fair, objective and non-partisan.

In the streets people have welcomed the decision to suspend the sale arguing that MSB is a public asset and decision made by few individuals was wrong and hopes  that the process will be done in a transparent  manner

Some said there is no need to sell the bank as the decision will not benefit Malawians.

Going forward others says wide consultation is necessary.

Get President Mutharika speech Read or download

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.