Mphwiyo Shooting Case: Kumwembe Sent To 4 Months In Prison for Sarcasm Letter

McDonald Kumwembe suspected to be a shooter in Paul Mphwiyo attempted murder case has been sentenced to 4 months imprisonment for contempt of court. 

Presiding judge Michael Mtambo found Kumwembe in contempt of court following his letter which the judge described Kumwembe as being sarcastic, rude and demeaning the judge. 

Kumwembe made an application for Judge recusal for the possibility of bias. But in his letter the judge said Kumwembe had at one point likened the judge to a thief. 

"You are the modern day Robin Hood" said Kumwembe in his appication

A former Malawi Defense Force, Kumwembe who is representing himself in the present case, accepted his offense when the court had asked him if he accepts that his letter was sarcastic. 

He also failed to cite a close which defends him from being sent to prison for six months. He also pleaded for leniency saying this was his first time to offend the court.

The Lilongwe High Court is continuing with hearing on Kumwembe application for judge recusal where the state is accusing Kumwembe of following the judge and that his application was not his but he is being used by Ralph And Arnold's Associate. 

The state is also accusing Kumwembe of bleaching Judge's privacy by distributing judge CV which Kumwembe claims he got it from a well wisher. 

Kumwembe is being accused together with Raphael Kasambara,  and Pika Manondo

More updates on this issue very soon 

Airtel Tisanje Promotion Airtime Bonus Caused Congestion

Airtel Tisanje Draw numbers 

Airtel Malawi says it has stopped giving out airtime bonuses to customers through ongoing ‘Tisanje Promotion’ in a move to prevent network congestion.

The Malawi’s mobile premier, is running Tisanje Promotion where customers are entering the competition once they recharge their phones including sending and receiving Airtel money. But on top of the recharge customers were also getting airtime bonus.

However, customers were surprised since last weekend, receiving text messages from the company announcing “no airtime bonuses in Tisanje Promotion with immediate effect on 1st September 2015”

Masiye Mazaza 

But speaking in an interview, Airtel Malawi defends its decision saying the company wants to maintain quality service and listen to customers.

Airtel Money Marketing Manager Masiye Mazaza, said their call centre was overwhelmed with number of queries on network congestion particularly from customers that are not participating in Tisanje.

“With overwhelming response of over 600 thousand entries in a day, we actually foreseen more of this beyond our expectation and we do not want to have a situation where quality of service is compromised for the customer because of the bonus we are giving.” Said Mazaza

“Other customers that are not participating had raised complaints that these bonuses may be they will congest the network.” He disclosed

He then explained that since the bonuses expires in a day, customers were trying to finish their bonuses even if they do not have an important call, which in the end affected quality of service especially to someone making an important call.

“We do not want to compromise the quality of service which touches on everybody; those that are participating in the promotion and those that are not participating. Each one of them must still have a quality service at the end of the day.” He said

“So, as a listening brand we would want to make sure that we please our customers. We maintain the quality of the service but without changing the entry mechanics for the promotion because for one to enter they simply need to do the recharge and they will still earn the points that we promised.” Said Mazaza

Then Mazaza assured customers that though the company has decided to remove the bonuses for the Tisanje, this will not affect customers from earning their points once they recharge their phones.

“The bonus was just a token of appreciation on top of entry, for a customer to win in this promotion it just takes them to recharge and also to send and to receive money.

Though he mentioned that the company still has capacity to contain the problem even if it arises, but emphasized that it was necessary to listen to customers at the same time preventing possible occurrence.

When Aitel was launching Tisanje Promotion on 31st July 2015, Airtel Money Country Director, Francis Matseketsa assured customers that the company had already looked into issues of network congestion.

Airtel Tisanje Promotion Winner Rescued On School Fees For His Children

One of the weekly winners in Airtel Tisanje Promotion, Langson Chipezeyani says Airtel has assisted him greatly as the prize money has become another source for school fees for his children.

Chipezeyani from Lilongwe in area 24, earns a living as a bricklayer and won K50 thousand prize money from the promotion during last week draw.

Tisanje 3rd Draw 

“I am very happy!” Chipezeyani shared his excitement in interview after being presented with symbolic cheque on Tuesday, during 3rd Draw of the promotion.

“I never expected to be one of the winners in this promotion” he added

But he explained that one of the most important part his win brought into his life is “school fees” for his children and said the money won from the promotion will go a long way.

“Am very happy mainly because, winning this money, Airtel has assisted me to pay school fees for my two children who are at secondary school. 

They are both in private secondary school. Each term am required to pay K15, 000 (Fifteen Thousand Kwacha) for each (translating to K30,000 per each term for his two children)” he said

Not only that, Chipezeyani also said, part of the prize money will be used to assist his parents.

The Mobile company, Airtel, has on Tuesday presented him with a symbolic cheque of K50,000 (Fifty Thousand Kwacha) together with another winner Pilirani Nthanga from Area 49 in Lilongwe.

Masiye Mazaza 

Speaking about the promotion, Masiye Mazaza, Airtel Money Marketing Manager, said the promotion aims at helping to grow Airtel’s bond with its customer base.

He also disclosed that the promotion is registering success following increase in number of people that are participating.

“There is overwhelming response in the number of entries that are coming through in this promotion. In excess of 600 thousand of entries, people recharging their phones using Zachangu, Scratch cards and Airtel money.” Said Mazaza

He added; “There are also entries through Airtel Money; which is sending and receiving money using Airtel Money. This overwhelming response is a manifestation that customers have received the promotion and they would like to win one of the prizes that we are giving out.”

Mazaza, is also mentioned that Tisanje promotion is also attracting new subscribers on the network.

During Tuesday’s draw, 56 customers walked away with K100, 000 each, two from each district. And the mobile company says following Tuesday draw, number of winners pocketing K50 thousand reaches 90.

There is 30 weekly winners of K50 thousand but the ultimate three winners in the promotion will each pocket a whooping K5 million. 

PDC Colors Kaliati’s SADC Gender Award

Nankhumwa presenting gift to Kaliati

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Patriotic Cadets (known as PDC), celebrates with Honorable Patricia Kaliati for her outstanding achievement of winning SADC Gender Protocol Award.

Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Patricia Kaliati won an award of excellence for her involvement in the acceleration of gender protocols in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) region.

Kaliati posing with other members (left Cecilia
Chazama)

To show their happiness, PDC members organized a special party for hon Kalitati landmark recognition in the SADC region.

The event which took place in Lilongwe on Sunday, included gift presentation to hon Kaliati.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Kondwani Nankhumwa said Kaliati deserve such an award because of her efforts in mainstreaming gender issues in the country.

He said, receiving an award from SADC is a clear testimony of her great achievements

"You haven't achieved this on silver platter, but it also took your listening ear to advices from President Mutharika" added Nankhumwa

Hon Nankhumwa further asked hon. Kaliati to continue working hard in promoting issues of gender.

Speaking earlier, chairperson for the organizing committee for the event, Andrew Chapola also commended hon Patricia Kaliati for her relentless efforts in promotion of gender in the country especially on making sure that women are not looked down in society.

"We are very proud of you!" said Chapola, "you have done us proud and you are a role model" he added

The event brought together PDC members from all regions across the country including, Principle Secretary for the Presidential Initiative on Safe Motherhood, Chimwemwe Chipungu, Deputy Secretary General for DPP, Hon Cecilia Chazama and Special Assistant to President, Dr. Ben Phiri.

Mphwiyo Shooting Case: Kumwembe Names Former President Joyce Banda As Witness

Lilongwe High Court 

McDonald Kumwembe names Joyce Banda and seven other persons as his witnesses for the case of attempted murder and conspiracy to kill former Budget Director Paul Mphwiyo. 

Kumwembe and Pika Manondo were found with case to answer on conspiracy and attempted murder of Paul Mphwiyo, while Former Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister Raphael Kasambara was found with case to answer on conspiracy to commit murder. 

South Africa's Lira To Headline Blue Mingoli Music Concert

South Africa’s award winning singer Lira to headline this year’s Standard Bank inaugural ‘Blue Mingoli’ music concert scheduled for 24th October, 2015 in Lilongwe.

Lerato Molapo better known by her stage name as Lira, is South Africa’s award winning vocalists whose music is a fusion of soul, funk and Afro-jazz.

Margaret Kubwalo at Chameleon

“The main act for this year’s Standard Bank Blue Mingoli is Lira!” unveiled Margaret Chaika Kubwalo, the Bank’s Head of Personal and Business Banking

Chaika unveiled Lira on Sunday night at Chameleon bar in Lilongwe during a curtain-raiser show where Lulu was the main act supported by Eunice (from Mizu Band) and Nesnes. 

Lulu perfoming Jazz at
Chameleon Pre-show
for Lira 

“Lira is a talented musician who is on top of her game in contemporary music in South Africa. Standard Bank is proud to host her for this year’s concert. And She will share the stage with our own local artist Lulu.” Said Chaika

Chaika: we felt Malawians
would relate to Lira

Speaking in an interview of Lira choice, Chaika said “We looked around, and we felt that Malawian crowd would relate more with Lira for this year”

“Lulu will also curtain raise for her because we want to keep the show locally relevant” added Kubwalo

Lulu playing guitar: to
share stage with Lira

She said Standard bank is focusing on Jazz music because it is a music genre that attracts people across all ages.

At the curtain raiser show, Standard Bank also played a video which Lira speaks to her fans in Malawi. Lira says she looks forward to her performance.

“This is Lira. I am so excited to be performing at this year’s Blue Mingoli concert on the 24th of October. I have heard a lot about the warm heart of Africa and what it has to offer and I’m truly honoured to be invited to headline this event. 

I would also like to take this opportunity to wish all the supporting acts all of the best for the 24th. I am confident that together we are going to give you unforgettable show. See you there!” she said.

Standard Bank has since assured people that preparations for the main show are at an advanced stage and promises more fun from pre-shows lined up for Lilongwe and Blantyre.

Lulu&Eunice perfoming at
Chameleon: they will be
curtain raise Lira show 

The Bank says the pre-show venues will only be in selected entertainment places that resonate well with type of people expected to come for the main show.

Prevailing Economic Hardships Opportunity For Malawians

The Malawi Investment Trade Centre (MITC) says the prevailing economic downward spiral offer Malawians more opportunities and that if well utilized may result into growth of businesses and the whole economy.

Kumbemba 

Chief Executive Officer for MITC Clement Kumbemba observed that Malawians are failing to see opportunities the prevailing situation has and instead, the foreign investors are the ones making good use of it.

He emphasized that the country’s economy will grow and possibly end some of the problems if the local private sector take advantage of the weakening Kwacha and many other current hurdles through increased production, exports and investments.

“Well, let me say that this is a perfect time for Malawi to fiercely market its opportunities. Many countries in the world developed through private sector capital, and in Malawi most of what you see as gaps are in fact opportunities.” He said

“People talk about the sliding of kwacha and the best way to stabilize Kwacha is basically to pop up production in Malawi, let’s produce so that we are able to export. And the more we export taking advantage of the weakening Kwacha the economy will grow.” Said Kumbemba

In Energy for example, he said “We are seeing more expression of interest in energy by foreign investors because there is a gap and this country has many energy sites. So some of what we see as Malawians hurdles may in fact be what investors are coming here for.”