MEC Gets No Pressure From Mutharika Government- MEC Commission

Mutharika shaking hands with Mbendera

The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has publicly said it has never received any pressure from Government in its operations since ascendancy to power of President Peter Mutharika and has since applauded the State President for ensuring that the Electoral body operates freely as well training Commissioners so that they are well versed with matters of elections.

MEC Chairperson, Justice Maxon Mbendera was speaking during MEC Commissioners audience with President Peter Mutharika at Kamuzu Palace on Tuesday 12th January 2015 where the commission made a formal presentation of 2014 Tripartite Election Report. 

Before handing over the report, Mbendera emphasised that the Commission is enjoying working with the President and his Government. 

“Unlike in other jurisdictions, Your Excellency, does not, and has never interfered with the work of the Commission. Your Excellency has ensured that You Sir give us the space to work independently in fulfillment of our mandate.” Said Mbendera adding that he never got a phone call from the President, directing him what the commission ought to do

Commissioners were meeting with the President for the first time since 2014 Tripartite Elections because they failed to meet the first citizen last year due to his tight schedule. Although the report was sent out to all political parties long time ago but the Commission needed to meet the president since under section 6 of the Electoral Commission Act, the Commission is obliged to present the report to the President. 

MEC Chair’s speech dwelled much on highlighting some of the major activities and achievements the commission has registered since Mutharika’s ascendancy to power.

Some of the achievements mentioned include by-elections for the seats that fell vacant for various reasons after the 2014 Tripartite Elections and capacity building programmes for both Commissioners and staff at MEC. 

Mbendera said the Commission conducted three sets of by-elections; in October 2014, August 2015 and 22nd December 2015. And thanked Mutharika Government for providing financial support for conducting these by-elections and described such gesture as a “Commitment” to the “democratization process of this country” to ensure that the people are represented at all times.

He further noted with appreciation of capacity building programmes which he said has enabled Commissioners to be well versed in matters of elections as they prepare for 2019 elections.

Mbendera said the Commissioners have been exposed to various capacity building programes including; civic education, logistics, voter registration, conflict management, and that recently, the Commissioners and Staff have been capacitated to carry out a very critical function of demarcation with excellence. 

“In short your Excellency, I want to underscore the fact that Commissioners are well prepared to undertake the tasks that lie ahead. You can be assured that they will perform their duties with professionalism.

We wish to assure Your Excellency, that with kind of training we have been receiving over the years, we shall deliver quality elections in the country. It is a desire of the Commissioners to make the Malawi Electoral Commission a centre of Excellence in Elections Management.” He said 

Mbendera further thanked president Mutharika’s Government for providing funds for ongoing demarcation programme and current budget of the Commission.

“Your Excellency, with this support, Malawins are assured of having quality services from the Commission. On our part, we shall continue to serve the nation without fear or favour.” Said Mbendera

Among others, Mbendera said in 2015 and 2016 financial Year, the Commission has lined up plans including, demarcation of wards and constituencies, voter registration exercise and has also supported electoral reforms process. The Commissioners also reminded the President of the expiry of their first term of office in May 2016 and in of Chairman coming to an end in October , 2016.

In his remarks president Peter Mutharika, appreciated the Commission for organizing and managing the 2014 tripartite elections as well as subsequent by-elections.

“Mr. Chairman, the conduct of the recent bye-elections does indeed show that your Commission has come of age and has acquired the relevant experience in managing elections. 

I would therefore like to assure you that my Government is ready and willing to offer the support to your Commission in the discharge of its legal mandate.” Said President Mutharika 

He also informed the president that the term of their office for Commissioners comes to an end in May this year while his terms ends in October this year.

A Mine Collapse Kills Wife, Husband Left With Multiple Bruises In Salima

A wife has been killed as husband survives with multiple bruises in the whole body during a mine collapse in Salima district.

The fatal incident happened when the upper cavity of a tunnel collapsed while the family was inside searching for precious stones.

Police Public Relations Officer in the district, Sub Inspector Gift Chitowe says Police in the district have identified the deceased as a 36 year old Elinati Mkaundu of Fuse village T/A Kalonga in the district.

Chitowe says the two got trapped inside of the tunnel which they are suspected to have been extracting Granite stones.

"On 8th January the deceased together with her husband left their home to Sadzu village where they wanted to try their luck in search of precious Granite stones and upon arrival at the site they went straight to the pit and started searching for those stones.

But all over a sudden, the earth of that pit fell on them and the deceased died on the spot while her husband was left with multiple bruises in the whole body." Explains Chitowe

He also indicated that Salima Distict Hospital confirmed that the death was caused by suffocation.

This is not the first time that illegal small scale miners in the same village, Sadzu, have been reported killed while extracting precious stones, a new hot business in the area which is attracting people from Lilongwe, Dowa and Salima districts.

On Christmas day in 2014, three people were killed while two others survived mine collapse as they were extracting Gemstones. Two men aged 24 and 25 and a 2 year old girl were killed in the accident while the mother of the girl and another man were admitted at Salima district hospital for sustained serious injuries.

Man Aged 41 Gets 10 Yrs Imprisonment For Defiling 8 Year Girl In Dowa

41 year old Man in Dowa district has been sentenced to serve 10 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling 8 year old girl.

The man identified as Harold Vanison from Chioko village T/A Nkukula in the district was convicted after pleading guilty to defilement charge.

According to Dowa Police Public Relations Officer, Sergeant Richard Kaponda the Dowa First Grade Magistrate Curt heard that the convict has been sexually abusing the little girl for several times until this year on 4th January when her mother suspected her daughter's limp walking. 

Kaponda said the court was told that after assaulting the girl the convict used to give the victim some sweets and fresh maize as a way of keeping her mouth shut.

The Dowa district police Publicist said during court appearance on Friday 8th January the convict after pleading guilty he asked the court to exercise leniency on him saying that a lengthy custodial sentence will bring suffering to his family because he is the bread winner and further asked for time to be let go home to apply fertilizer in his garden since it is a farming season.

But Sergeant Kaponda said Police Prosecutor, sub inspector Beston Chimbenenga prayed for stiffer sentence which may deter other would be offenders.

Sergeant Kaponda said at last, First Grade Magistrate His Worship Emulani Phiri agreed with the police prosecutor saying the convict needed stiffer punishment to deter other would be offenders because cases of defilement are common in Dowa district then passed the verdict of 10 years Imprisonment with Hard Labour.

Morgan Heritage Live To The Promise; Performing Again In Malawi On 30th April With Full Band

Not only these three men again, but the full band
is coming (Born Afrikan Second from left)

Born Afrikan manager for Born Afrikan Productions has just announced today on his Facebook page of the coming back to Malawi, The Royal Family of Reggae, Morgan Heritage.

DAPP Malawi Mobilize Communities To Plant 38,000 Trees In Three Districts

Members of community taking part in
Tree planting 

As rainy season continues, DAPP Malawi has already planted a total of 38,000 trees in Mzimba, Chiradzulu and Blantyre districts.

DAPP Malawi Project managers and project leaders in the three districts mobilized the community and planted 38,000 trees in order to combat climate change and improve agricultural yields by improving soil fertility.

“The tree planting exercise was done together with community members in the areas that DAPP Malawi has projects which in turn create structures that care for the trees.” said DAPP Malawi Partnership Manager Charlotte Danckert

The institution has since encouraged Malawians to plant trees this rainy season because at the moment the landscape in Malawi has experienced a vast rate of deforestation mainly due to population growth. 

“The population has increased pressure on the environment as the demand for wood for construction of houses, fuel for energy and business infrastructure. So in order to achieve the targets in the initiative our project managers and leaders also sensitized community on the dangers of climate change and how it is affecting their agricultural yields.” Said Danckert

According to Danckert the organization supports with extension services micro committees to monitor the implementation of the project.

Sekumana Investments Promotes Hospital Births During Festive Season Donation At Area 25 Health Centre

Edwin Mauluka presenting gifts to women at
Area 25 Maternity wing 

Lilongwe based business, Sekumana Investments, donated food items and other gifts to women in the Maternity Wing at Area 25 Health Centre in Lilongwe as part of commemorating Christmas and New Year festive season on Saturday, and made a strong message that women should go against the culture and deliver in hospitals.

Mphwiyo Shooting Case: Kasambara Former Chauffer Contradicts Housemaid Testimony

Chauffer of then Justice Minister, Raphael Kasambara testimony before Lilongwe High Court on Tuesday, denys’ witness of a former housemaid of Kasambara on events that took place a day after Paul Mphwiyo was shot.

The driver, Fostino Chimwaza told the court that in the morning of 14th September 2013, went to Kasambara’s house and found Mercedez Benz silver in color parked in front of Kasambara’s house contradicting last year testimony of Jessie Mussa, former housemaid of Kasambara who informed court that the very same day, that vehicle was hidden parked behind Servant Quarters and it had its number plates removed. 

The former driver also told court that that morning he drove wife of Kasambara to Kasungu opposed to former housemaid claim that on that day she was with Kasambara’s wife at Lilongwe Golf Club and that while there, Kasambara’s wife told her that the man she saw at home the previous day evening is Paul Mphwiyo and has been shot.

However, the driver’s testimony indicates that with Kasambara’s wife he spent whole day in Kasungu attending burial of nephew to the country’s then First Gentleman, Richard Banda (husband to former president Dr. Joyce Banda). 

He said, they arrived back in Lilongwe around 6 pm and that it could have not been possible for Kasambara’s wife to go to Lilongwe Golf Club with her child and the housemaid.

Former Justice minister, Raphael Kasambara is answering charge of conspiracy of attempted murder of former budget director Paul Mphwiyo on 13th September 2013. While Pika Manondo and McDonald Kumwembe are answering the same charge together with the charge of attempted murder.

The former housemaid was also on record in her last year testimony that she saw on 13th September 2013 the man who was later revealed to her as Paul Mphwiyo arriving at Kasambara’s house with a bag which contained huge sums of money.

She further told court that she was unceremoniously fired by Kasambara and while on her way home, she got a phone call from Kasambara’s wife warning to zip her mouth on what she saw at Kasambara’s house and anything related to Paul Mphwiyo shooting because Kasambara was not involved in the shooting.


Arms Deal And Government Plot Against Kasambara

Dauka (in black shirt and drinking water)

Earlier the court heard astounding testimony from Dauka Manondo who was acquited in the case saying the Paul Mphwiyo shooting is related to arms deal and that the interest of Government in the case is only to bay for blood of Raphael Kasambara.

Dauka disclosed to Lilongwe High court that his brother Pika Manondo together with Paul Mphwiyo had a deal of supplying ammunition to the Malawi Defense Force. He said his brother travelled together with Mphwiyo to South Africa on 6th September and came back on 10th September 2013 (according to Pika travel documents) for the said arms deal and he returned three days before the shooting.

He explained during examination by his brother Pika who is representing himself that on 14th September 2013 him (Dauka) called his brother Pika if he knows who might be the shooter and possible reason.

"I asked you (Pika) who do you think has shot Paul Mphwiyo, you answered that this was probably the issue related to the arms deal and that the person had wanted money." Said Dauka

Paul Mphwiyo was shot at the gate of his house in area 43 around midnight of 13th September 2013.

Dauka explained that him as close friend to Paul Mphwiyo is aware of security cameras at Paul Mphwiyo residence which were functional and could have captured the shooting incident at his gate.

But when Pika asked Dauka if during his arrest he ever tried to tell Police to check on security cameras Dauka replied  he did and was told that "they were only interested in financier of the shooting as they already knew who shot" and about CCTV they just laughed before saying "they know it" and disclosed that this was said by the police officer named Maurice Makwinja.

He then disclosed that after his bail, he was called to Kanengo police, by Maurice Makwinja. He said Makwinja told him, that, then Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Bruno Kalemba wanted to meet him but he refused "because I was so bitter with my arrests"

He then said he was told that "I will and you (Pika) suffer because we are not cooperative to be state witness against Kasambara who Kalemba was after for"

During questioning by Kasambara, Dauka repeated that he refused to meet Bruno Kalemba because he was very bitter, since Kalemba "wanted me to be witness to testify against you and convince Pika to testify against you as they said you were the main target"