President Mutharika Meets CMD Members; Advocates For Interparty Dialogue As Cornerstone Of Development

President Peter Mutharika says Malawi will move forward if all political parties embrace tolerance and dialogue.

The Malawi leader, was speaking at Kamuzu Palace on Thursday, evening during his meeting with members of Center for Multiparty Democracy (CMD).

“I would like to assure you the members of CMD, that Government will do all it can to support the noble cause that you have. We need dialogue in order to work together. We have one Malawi, and its development is the responsibility of all of us.” Said Mutharika

He also appealed to CMD and all Political Parties to promote Patriotism, Integrity and hard work.

Mutharika also expressed his profound appreciation with developments taking place at CMD. He mentioned that he was happy to hear number of important issues that have been discussed in CMD relating to the general principle for the regulation of political parties; the political independence of registrar of political parties; process of registering and de-registering political party’s; transparency and accountability of political parties among others.

“This is interesting and commendable” he added

The CMD meeting with President was first of its kind because there has never been a meeting between the grouping and sitting President. 

CMD executive director, Kizito Tenthani indicated that the institution was through the engagement introducing board members and Political Party’s bill to president as well updated him of number of activities that were carried out by the institution.

At the end of the closed meeting with the president, Tenthani said president Mutharika has given a nod to the proposed Political Parties Bill, “He has said that he will try to see to it that the bill runs though its necessary process and he agreed that it was important for the country to have effective political parties and one of the ways he said is to look at the legal regulations of political parties.”

The bill which has been endorsed by all political parties, seeks political parties to be exercise accountability and transparency on their source of financing, internal democracy in political parties as well as making sure that political parties have legal personality so that political parties can sue or be sued. The bill further encourages effectiveness of the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties.

Tenthani also indicated that President Mutharika has asked CMD look for other sustainable sources of funding for the institution as well as consider issues of safeguarding independence of CMD after the institution had requested the President to be assisted financially by the Government.

Tenthani further mentioned that the president also has welcomed the idea of establishing Leaders of Political Parties Forum but “he did not make a commitment because he noted that we didn’t have enough time to engage on other things but on principle he seemed to have no problem”

Currently there are seven political parties that are members for CMD and the board comprises of Political Party Secretary Generals.

Malawi To Enact ATI Bill Once Inconsistencies Are Corrected-President Mutharika

President Peter Mutharika maintains that his Government is going to enact Access to Information Bill (ATI) after all inconsistencies in the bill are resolved. 

He was speaking during the meeting with Media Council of Malawi and Media Owners at Kamuzu Palace in the capital city, Lilongwe on Thursday who engaged him on the progress of ATI Bill.

The bill was previously rejected by cabinet after noting some inconsistencies and was referred to Cabinet Committee on Legal Constitution to resolve the problem. Meanwhile Minister of Justice and Constitution Affairs, Samuel Tembenu says the bill has been finalized and will be taken to back to cabinet soon.

When responding to media plea that the bill needs to be enacted, President Mutharika reiterated that it is his wish to see the bill enacted. But he repeated sentiments made last year, that two major inconsistencies in the bill, Sections such as: 6(2) and 3(1) are most problematic areas that were being resolved so that, once enacted, the bill should be free of inconsistencies. 

Mutharika said Section 6(2) which reads “Any law enacted after the commencement of this Act which restricts the rights and obligations provided for in this Act, shall have no effect.” actually restricts future parliament from repealing the law and said this is against sovereignty of the parliament of repealing and passing any law.

Section 3(1) reads; “This Act shall apply to information in the custody or under the control of any public body, relevant private body or other information holders listed in the Schedule hereto regardless of whether such information came into existence before the commencement of this Act.”

On this section, President Mutharika explained that the provision is retrogressive because it seeks to obtain information which originated back before the existence of the bill. He said this is against principle of common law (ex post facto law) which prohibits application of the legislation to things that happened it was adopted. 

“There is no way” he emphasized “and I cannot accept to assent the bill which its sections are inconsistence with the principle of common law.” 

Without specifying dates he said cabinet is meeting where the bill will be discussed and after approval it will be taken to National Assembly for tabling but he underlined that enactment of the bill will not be as the result of pressure from anybody or conditionality of donor aid from development partners. 

“This Government will not accept ultimatums, no more ultimatums. Let’s act in fair and respectful manner” said Mutharika

“Should your Cabinet gloss over inconsistencies in the intended Law just because everyone is pressurising us? Will you not be the first people to say we made a bad law when the problems begin to surface? Should we overlook addressing the anticipated challenges that will face implementation because the media fraternity and donors are giving the Government of Malawi ultimatums” inquires Mutharika

Earlier, Media Council of Malawi Chairperson, Wiseman Chijere Chirwa noted the importance of the bill to both media and all Malawians.

Chirwa, said Government needs to enact the bill in order to help media to easily access to information from Government. 

The Media Council chairperson, underlined that failure to enact the bill will fuel unfavorable costs which includes creation of an environment for corruption, lack of accountability as well as lack of public trust into public officers.

President Mutharika rejected Media Council proposal that using his executive powers, the President should reject “adulterated” Bill which went to Cabinet, instead approve the “original” version of the bill which was formulated through duly consultative process. Mutharika argued that him alone cannot change “collective decisions” made by cabinet.

After the meeting, Chijere Chirwa said media council was happy that they finally met president and were explained in detail why the bill is facing delays but was quick to mention that media council is waiting to see how Government will reconcile media concerns and the problems raised by President.

During the meeting, Minister of Justice and Constitution Affairs, Samuel Tembenu assured the media that the bill before cabinet is not adulterated document but they are only trying to sort out problems with some provisions and further promised that the refined bill will be the best law in Africa.

Manet+ Epress Worry Over Mw Govt Failure To Meet Abuja Declaration Targets

Safari Mbewe

An ambrella body of people living with HIVMalawi Network of People Living with HIV (Manet+), says Malawi seems to be far from meeting agreed target of allocating 15% of the total national budget to the health sector.

The body has expressed its concern during the stakeholder Meeting aiming at strategizing as CSOs on what they can do to help Government meet its commitment made in 2001 on Abuja Declaration.

In 2001 African Governments including Malawi  committed to allocate at least 15% of total annual budget to the health sector, However, records indicates that in 2012/2013 budget, Malawi allocated 12%, in 2013/2014 it was 8.3% while in 2014/2016 budget the allocation was 9.7%.

Safari Mbewe, executive Director for Manet+ said Malawi Government failure to fulfill its commitment to allocate 15% of national budget towards health sector is a worrisome development looking at how at the moment the health sector is continuously struggling to provide services.

“We are concerned on issues of sustainable financing especially when we reflect back on the commitment that our own Government made and this is in line with 2001 Abuja Declaration where our government committed to contribute at least 15% of the domestic resources towards health.”

And we see that that commitment is not being fulfilled and especially when we see the challenges that are facing our health delivery system”

Daniel Mkandawire, Mary Mount Catholic Secondary School Crowned Best In Old Mutual Maths Olympiad

Daniel Mkandawire of Nkhotakota Secondary School emerged as the best student and Mary Mount Catholic Secondary as the best school, during secondary school Mathematics competition dubbed “Old Mutual Maths Olympiad”

This year’s (2016) Old Mutual Mathematics Olympiad National Competition attracted 167 participants from 58 schools across the country representing 18 districts and drew to a close on Thursday.

This year, each school was allowed to send a maximum of three participants and out of the 167 participants, 64 were female and 103 were male.

As part of its corporate responsibility, Old Mutual—a long-term savings, protection and investment Group which provides life assurance, asset management and unit trusts in the country—sponsors the competition as a way of promoting interest in Mathematics among secondary school students in the country. This highly competitive competition is done in partnership with Mzuzu University’s department of Mathematics.  

Secondary school students across the country sit for a number of Mathematics examination papers aiming at identifying the 'crème de la crème' of Mathematics in the competition. 

After gruelling three examinations, Daniel Mkandawire of Nkhotakota emerged as the best student and was awarded K70, 000 cash prize together with a scientific calculator, while other 24 best students also walked home with cash prize, a scientific calculator and a certificate.

The competition had three stages. All students took a preliminary exam on Monday, 11th January.  A total of 75 qualified for semi final examinations which were written on Tuesday, 12th January. Out of these, 54 were male and 21 were female.

The top 25 students wrote the final exam on Wednesday, 13th January. 8 females made it into the final against 17 boys. 

This year, the Department of Mathematics also ranked the best Mathematics schools. This was dependent on the performance of their students. The score obtained by a school was the total score obtained by its representatives at all stages of the competition.

The best three schools this year were Mary Mount Catholic Secondary School, St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School, Kasungu Secondary School, Chaminade Secondary School and Mzuzu Government Secondary School.

Two Men Arrested For Stealing Gun Belonging To Mw Evangelist Shadreck Wame

Police in Salima are keeping in lawful custody two young men for stealing Greener rifle (gun) which belongs to Malawi's renown Evangelist, Shadreck Wame. 

Police in the district have identified the two as Sayenera Chisomo aged 20 and Michael Esau aged 22 who were working as tenants at Pastor's estate located at Chifuniro village, T/A Kalonga in Salima.

"On the night of 26th December 2015 the two broke into the house of their master while the owner was away and stole a Greener rifle(gun) together with 17 rounds of ammunitions and escaped an arrest." Says Sub Inspector Gift Chitowe, Salima District Police Public Relations Officer

He went on, "When the owner had returned from where he went, he was surprised to see that his rifle was missing and his tenants also were nowhere to be traced."

Chitowe said the suspects were arrested following man hunt operation launched by police after receiving several leads to their whereabouts.

Sub Inspector Chitowe said the  first suspect was apprehended at his home village of Kamwana T/A Mponela in Dowa district who revealed that the rifle was with the his accomplice, who was also at his home village of Godi, T/A Kabudula in Lilongwe district where the rifle was recovered together with the amunitions.

The two suspects will appear in court soon where they will be answering to Burglary and Theft charges.

Ntchisi ADMARC Official In Maize, Fertilizer Theft; Police Officer Involved

• Admarc official was arrested on after stealing Maize worth close to a Million Kwacha after customer logged complaints about fertilizer 
• Few hours after arrest police were tipped that last night he diverted 300 bags of fertiliser subsidy with help of Police Officer 

Police officer was also involved in fertilizer theft

Police in Ntchisi have arrested Unit Marketing Officer for Msumba ADMARC for allegedly stealing maize valued close to a Million Kwacha and few hours after his arrest, police stumbled upon information connecting him to the missing 300 bags of subsidy fertiliser in Ntchisi district.

Police have identified the suspect as George Kambwiri, aged 56, of Nankhako village in the area of Traditional Authority Ntema in Lilongwe.

Ntchisi Police Public Relations Officer Sergeant Gladson M'bumpha says his arrest on maize allegations came following complaints from customers around Msumba ADMARC depot that the officer had tricked them to pay money for fertilizer but was unable to give them the commodity in return.

M'bumpha says "The complaints reached ADMARC officials at Mponela who reacted by sending an internal auditor supervisor, Prince George Kambwiri to follow up the matter but upon carrying out  maize and fertilizer stock inspection at the depot, it was discovered that bags of maize in quantities of 50kgs worth K787, 930 (Seven Hundred and Eighty Seven Thousand Kwacha, Nine Hundred and Thirty Kwacha), were found missing."

M'bumpha says police arrested the Unit Marketing Officer on charges of Theft by Servant immediately when the incident was reported to Ntchisi Police Station on 15th January, 2016.

He further indicated that, police in the district are investigating other complaints related to the matter and in the mean time, no single bag of maize has been recovered.

Fertilizer Scandal Involving Police Officer 

As police are continuing with the maize investigations, have also leveled new charge to George Kambwiri on Official Corruption after coming across information that the maize suspect, was involved together with three other individuals among them a police officer, in fertiliser theft which occurred night before his arrest.

Sergeant M'bumpha has disclosed that Kambwiri is currently in police custody together with the three accomplices suspected to be responsible of the missing 300 bags of 50kgs containing Urea fertilizer meant for Nsinda and Mzandu ADMARC depots in Ntchisi.

Three other suspects have been identified as Dalitso Chafika, a driver aged 36, business man, Chikondi Kalulu aged 34, and a police officer, Sub Inspector Stephen Katundu working at VIP Branch in Lilongwe. 

"The motor vehicle registration number BU 3009 for Apita Investment carrying subsidy fertilizer from Kanengo to Mzandu and Nsinda ADMARC selling points in Ntchisi under police escort of Sub Inspector Stephen Katundu was diverted to Msumba ADMARC selling point (where Kambwiri worked as Unit Marketing Officer) where 200 bags were offloaded and the remaining 100 bags were sold to a vendor at Ntchisi Trading Centre" explains M'bumpha

Police Public Relations Officer for Ntchisi district, Sergeant Gladson M'bumpha says the  fertiliser of Urea type was under Government program, Farm Input Subsidy Programme (FISP) being sold to smallholder farmers.

According to M'bumpha police have established that business man, Chikondi Kalulu bribed the Unit Marketing Officer with K175, 000, the driver with K130, 000, the Police officer with K50,000 and assistant driver with K20,000.

"The Unit Marketing Officer (George Kambwiri) admitted to have been bribed." confirmed M'bumpha

Driver, Dalitso Chafika comes from Chizumba village, Traditional Authority Ntema in Lilongwe, while business man, Chikondi Kalulu comes from Ndendere village, Traditional Authority Chikho in Ntchisi and Sub Inspector Stephen Katundu works at VIP Branch in Lilongwe.

Man, 49, Admits Having Anal Sex With 15 Year Old Boy: Sentenced To 9 Years Imprisonment

Girls kissing 

A male security guard has been sentenced to 9 years imprisonment after admitting having forced anal sex with his junior, a 15 year old boy, between September and October 2015.

The convict Epharaim Kangandula aged 49 who hails from Njalam’mano village of T/A Saimoni in Mneno district had anal sex with the boy in two separate occasions when both were on night duty.

Lilongwe Senior Resident Magistrate Court heard on Wednesday 13th January 2016 that both the convict and the victim were employees for Maka Security Company in the capital, city Lilongwe, and that the convict was a Security Supervisor.

Court heard from Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Daiton Phiri that in two separate occasions between 30th September and 5th October 2015, Mr. Kangandula had sexual acts with his male junior and these incidences happened at their office premises.

The prosecutor, explained in court that on the first occasion, just like it happened on the second day, the convict told the victim that they will work together at the office during the night. But in the middle of the night, the convict invited the young man into a dark room and switched off his torch when the boy entered the room.

Court heard that in both occasions, Mr. Kangandula, would lay on his back naked, ordering his junior to perform foreplay on his genitals. Then, he would order the boy to remove his pants while he stands in a bend position and have anal sex afterwards.

The prosecutor, Daiton Phiri, said, in all occasions, the young man was warned not to reveal the sexual ordeal to anybody and that if he does he will be killed.

Court was further told that, few days after the two separate incidences, the boy had abnormal stomach pains while at work and was sobbing  incessantly and was given pain killers by the convict. However, the pain never stopped and was forced to privately disclosed about the sexual encounter with his supervisor to his trusted workmate who took the matter to Area 36 Police Unit.

Kamuzu Central Hospital examination proved that there was canal knowledge.

On Wednesday, the convict asked court during mitigation that he wants leniency because he is old.

However, the Police prosecutor, Daiton Phiri prayed for stiffer punishment “This practice is unacceptable; in our laws, even in our cultures and our religious groups. More unfortunate thing is that this has happened to a young boy who is now traumatized by this incident. We pray for a stiffer sentence to deter the would be offenders”

In his verdict, Senior Resident Magistrate Paul Chiotcha said such acts are criminal in the country and agreed with prosecutor that it was sad that the incident happened to a young man. 

Before sentencing the man to 9 years imprisonment, Chiotcha also asked for good protection of young male victims in these incidences.