Albino Grouping Urge Parliament To Allocate Resources, Review Necessary Laws For Fight Against Albino Killings

Bonface Massah

Association of Persons with Albinism in Malawi (APAM) stresses that the ongoing Budget Meeting of the National Assembly should allocate resources for the fight against dreadful attacks and killings of persons with albinism.

President for the association, Bonface Massah said resources are needed to fight the criminals who are adept in the attacks and added that relevant legislations also be reviewed in this Meeting of National Assembly to support the prosecution of cases of albino attacks.

Massah was speaking at the press briefing in Lilongwe on Wednesday, when the National Technical Committee on Abuse of Persons with Albinism in Malawi chaired by Dr. Hetherwick Ntaba was providing details of progress and action plan for response to the abductions, killings and exhumation of the remains of persons with albinism.

He warned that if the Parliamentarians will spend time in the House without addressing the problem then “They are killing us”

He stressed that the response to the problem should not only be the word of mouth but with resources and that “Investigations must be urgent” as well.

On Tuesday, Malawi has recorded a fresh brutal murder in Ntcheu district of a male albino aged 38 who has been identified by police as Fletcher Masina picture found here He was attacked while in his garden and attackers chopped off his arms, legs and private parts.

Referring to this case, Massah said even him as person championing the rights of persons with albinism is not safe and that without concrete efforts to curb the situation, persons with albinism will all die. 

He also called for speedy prosecution involving albino attacks.

Later in an interview, Massah said “Government has accepted that this is a crisis and that is why we are calling Parliament to also address this with a crisis response. Normally parliament has mandate to allocate resources when we have crisis or disasters in our country and this is one clear a crisis that we are experiencing in Malawi that needs urgent attention by our parliament.” 

He said adequate budgetary allocation should be channeled to the Ministry of Health in order to address the health needs of people with albinism, to Ministry of Home Affairs for Police investigations and police trainings on how to tackle the problem.

“Parliament must ensure that each budget that they are passing this year must have clear response to our needs and even setting aside special funds that will really respond to the current crisis that we are experiencing like to deal with altitudes and special needs that people with albinism have.” He stressed

He also explained that apart from resources, people with albinism wants the House to review weak laws that Malawians have been highlighting as one of the contributing factor to the lighter sentences that courts have been handing to convicted criminals. 

“That is also a key role that Parliament must play to support the response that has been taken by various stakeholders.” He emphasized

Technical Committee’s Work Progress

Ntaba

Chairperson for the Committee, Hetherwick Ntaba announced that short term actions have been identified by his committee and there is progress in terms of implementation.

“The mapping exercise to identify the population of person with albinism across the country for targeted interventions has started and is being coordinated by the Ministry of Local Government. The ministry will involve the TAs (Traditional Authorities), Group Village Heads and Village Heads in this task” disclosed Ntaba expressing hope that this will make it possible to reach many of the persons with albinism 

He outlined that there will be continued awareness campaigns on albinism issues to stop attacks, speedy investigations and prosecutions of criminal suspects, investigative and intelligence research to establish loot cause of attacks, regulation of traditional healers since the attacks are allegedly perpetrated by myth that body parts of albinos can bring fortunes when used in magic.

On health related needs for persons with albinism Ntaba said the Ministry of Health shall provide sunscreen lotions, supply of protective clothing including hats and sunglasses to persons with albinism. 

“They will also alert their clinicians to look out for possible skin cancer complications in patients with albinism at the clinics” he added

Mr. Ntaba further mentioned that Ministry of Education will also put into Boarding Schools with appropriate security arrangements all children who are failing to go to school for fear of being attacked.

Ntaba also hinted that there are mid- and long-term plans lined up for implementation and would like to have the National Response Plan on attacks of persons with albinism fully implemented. He mentioned that the plan will among other things trainings for magistrates, police prosecutors and investigators, and address health needs for the persons with albinism.

Ntaba also noted that although the committee does not have resources, a lot can be done without finances because this is a human issue that requires collect efforts by being each brother’s keeper. However, he said resources are necessary but “let not lack of resources stop us from protecting persons with albinism”

Persons with albinism in Malawi are being attacked, killed and even their remains exhumed due to the disbelief that their body parts can grant benefits such as wealth. 

On 5th May 2016, President Peter Mutharika instituted the National Technical Committee on Abuse of Persons with Albinism in Malawi with mandate of discussing and reach agreements with all stakeholders and oversee implementation of agreements, initiatives and strategies with an aim of ending increased and gross violation of human rights of persons with albinism. 

The multi-sectoral committee comprises institution such as Office of President and Cabinet, Line Ministries of Information, Gender, Justice, Health, Home Affairs, Local Government and Education. It also included Malawi Police Service, the Judiciary, The Association of People with Albinism, Association of Traditional Healers, and Citizens Alliance representing civil society organizations in Malawi. There are also stakeholders from the donor community.

Win K5 million In Airtel Malawi Tayale Tayale Promo

Francis Matseketsa

Airtel Malawi has unveiled yet another exciting promotion dubbed Tayale- Tayale promotion.

The promotion which will run for a period of three months, ending in August, 2016 this an Airtel Money’s mobile money portfolio and that one lucky customer will at the end of the promotion win a grand prize of a whooping K5 million preluded by 2 lucky subscribers who each month will win K1 million each.

When unveiling the promotion in Lilongwe, Airtel Money Country Director Francis Matseketsa said Tayale-Tayale promotion is Airtel’s mission to innovate, grow and continue being the people’s brands of choice.

Matseketsa said through this promotion

“We are encouraging customers to come on board to Airtel money and also come out of pillow and mattress kind of banking and use their mobile phones to transact as banking in their pocket.”

He therefore encouraged Airtel customers who are not yet on Airtel Mobile Money to get registered and start transact and win the prizes in the promotion.

The promotion will run until August 31, 2016 and the company is giving away a total prize money worth K25 million.

Mr. Matseketsa indicated that on daily basis, 100 people will win K2 thousand each throughout the period of promotion and that these daily winners will be determined by selecting the first 10 customers who pay bills on Airtel Money every hour between 8 am and 6 pm every day.

In terms of eligibility for the competition, he said only Airtel Money registered customers who transact on Airtel Money via bill payments, grocery purchases or sending money to family and friends within Malawi with minimum transaction amount of K2 thousand will qualify to enter the promotion.

“Customers will also be able to check their numbers of entry by dialing *727#” He said adding that draws will be conducted at the end of every month.

Don't Just "Be At The Receiving End"- Chakwera

Lazarus Chakwera titled his speech
'Dzukani A Malawi'

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) President and Leader of Opposition in Parliament has said it all why he is calling Malawians to Rise Up.

Chakwera says time to be a mare listener of leaders is over and Malawians should begin to have a say in issues happening in the country for the country to move forward.

He was speaking in an interview to highlight more on the meaning behind naming of his speech, Dzukani A Malawi, a response to State of National Address.

MCP leader, also said the ongoing exercise by Legal Affairs Committee of enhancing the Standing Orders to incorporate Constitutional provision which requires the President to take questions from legislators immediately after delivering State of National Address, will be a significant step of making Presidents answerable to Malawians.

“Malawians its high time to take the responsibility over the decisions we make. Its not right to just be at the receiving end of those we think they know more than we do." cautions Chakwera

"Every Malawian has a right to have a say in what happens in this country." He said 

He sadly observed that Malawi has developed a community and society where "we think" certain intellectuals or certain experts or certain leaders which includes politicians can say something and then "we say, Oh! father is always right, when in fact majority of our people have never been quotientised and educated enough to be able to make decisions that will make this country move forward." 

"We cannot have a large population in the rural areas depending on elite that continues to swindle them by prosing them Heaven when actually they live in Hell.” He said

Asked if he is sticking to his question to President which he reserved last Meeting of National Assembly until President Mutharika finds time to come to Parliament, he responded, “This is a constitutional issue. It has nothing to do whether I ask questions or not so other people might want to ask questions like we did. 

But when these standing orders are in place and we know the modalities that could be used in order for us to have the Head of Government then we will see how to proceed.”

PP Wants House To Approve Appointees Dismisals

Uladi

Peoples Party (PP) says Parliament must approve dismissal of all officers serving in positions that require Parliament approval when appointed by Presidet, in order to protect them from politically motivated firings.

The comment comes from the wake of President Mutharika’s statement that some officers in foreign missions will be recalled and replaced by new ones.

President Peter Mutharika in his state of Nation Address informed the House that during the 2016/17 fiscal year, Government plans to rationalize its foreign missions in order to make them lean and efficient with the right numbers of personnel with requisite competences. He then mentioned that Government will also recall individuals who, in some cases have stayed in these missions for up to 10 or 15 years.

However, PP acting President Uladi Mussa reacted that this is very unfortunate because Government wants to replace officers with their own party supporters or relatives.

“Mr. Speaker Sir, we in the PP continue to wonder whether it is necessary to recall everybody from our various embassies outside, just because we want to replace them with relatives of DPP supporters.” he said when presenting PP's response to the State of Nation Address

“It is very unfortunate, Malawi is one Mr. Speaker Sir. Malawi is one." He repeated "And no culture and no tribe is superior to another culture and tribe in this country.”

Later in an interview said this is a tendency which is costing Government alot of money and it must stop.

Mussa then suggested that the Parliamentary Committee on Appointment needs to check on this issue and must have a say whenever the Ambassadors and High Commissioners are being recalled.

“We need to find out” he said “because we are only interested in entry point but when they are exiting parliament has shown lack of interest.” he observed

“Even other appointments of positions like Inspector General of Police. They are approved here but when it comes to firing we seem not to be concerned so these are issue that we need to look at. We have to consider both hiring and firing”

Legislatures Wants Pres. Mutharika Back To House To Take Questions

Kamlepo

Some legislatures on Monday vent their anger out to Speaker, Richard Msowoya for letting President Peter Mutharika leave the Parliament Chamber without taking questions from members.

Legislatures argued that it is constitution requirement that after president present State of Nation Address, members are supposed to put questions to president which was not the case on Friday last week.

However, Speaker, Richard Msowoya clarified that the Business Committee agreed and resolved that such requirement will be practiced in the House once Committee on Legal Affairs consolidate the provision into the Parliamentary Standing Orders.

He further informed the House that his office has requested the Legal Affairs Committee to act quickly in coming up with the provision into the Standing Orders.

Rumphi East Legislature, Kamlepo Kalua was the first to ask the Speaker why Mutharika walked out freely without being asked on several issues after delivering his State of National Address.

Uladi Mussa Acting President and Leader of PP in Parliament stood to confirm to the House that indeed him as PP leader who was in the Business Committee agreed with the rest of members of the Committee and made it clear that the member [Kamlepo] who is also from PP was informed about this development, however, the member was free to ask because by Constitution the member "is entiled to his own opinion”

Rising for the second time on Point of Order, Rumphi East, Kamlepo Kalua noted that he had earlier on advanced on the constitutional issue and that the Speaker made clarification. But he said looking at the supremacy of the Constitution and “uniqueness of our Constitution” he feel that the constitution cannot be substituted by any act of law or standing order of anything.

Quoting section 5 of Constitution Kamlepo said “Any Act of Government or any Law that is in consistent with the provision of this constitution shall, to the extent of such in constituency be invalid and for me to be told and to be part of raping the constitution I want to make my case clear that this should be respected and at all cost this should be a driving force of our democracy in this country.”

Responding speaker said himself and not anybody or committee has in any way substituted the constitution in this case “All that is required is that constitutional provisions in way of operationalising this house we do require procedures, and, that come in form of Standing Orders and that is what I explained."

But the Kasungu South East, legislature Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda came in to emphasize that this issue is a constitutional requirement and does not require that the provision should be in the Standing Orders.

Listening to this, Speaker directed members not satisfied with  reponse provided earlier, to consult their party Leaderships who form Business Committee.

“I am in no way protecting the president. I understand it as a constitutional matter. All am saying is if it is the a greement of the House that the President Comes here as provided for in the Constitution let us agree on the modalities of how that happens.  I have no problem.” said Msowoya

Later in an interview, Kasungu South East, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda quoted section 89, Subsection 3 which outline three things that President shall address Parliament on State of National Address which happened on Friday, then report on policies of the previous year and to respond to questions.

“The President is supposed to do three things and these three things” stressed Kandondo

She said this requirement is not appearing in Parliamentary Standing Orders because it is already provided for in the Constitution which is a supreme document.

She then said issue of following Standing Orders which Committee on Legal Affairs is working on can come in through section 4 which talks about inviting President into the House after resolution of the House.

“But what we are saying now is part of what he [President] was supposed to be doing according to constitution” she said 

“What we are saying basically is, Mr. President you are supposed to do three things, but you have just addressed one of them can he come back and do the rest of them. And that is to articulate on previous polices from previous year and then answer questions. That is all.” emphasized Kandodo

She said the issue will continue 

“We do not have a choice we go by this constitution, this is what guides every Malawian even this House and this House is not above this [constitution] so we will continue reminding each other and definitely this is not the end of the issue.”

PP Tells Govt To Save Albinos Now

Uladi

Peoples Party (PP) says plans set by Government to end abductions and killings of people with albinism will begin to bear fruits years after all albinos are killed and called Government to implement immediate plans. 

PP acting President and the party’s leader in Parliament, Uladi Mussa pointed out that plans to train personnel and sending representatives to Tanzania to learn best practices leaves room for criminals to continue with attacks and killings, but registering all albinos and guarding them by community policing will solve the problem.

Mussa was speaking in the National Assembly on Monday evening when responding to State of the National Address delivered by President Peter Mutharika on Friday.

He said this when highlighting number of security issues which he said PP is of the view that the country is in the security breakdown.

“There is complete security breakdown in this country.” He said mentioning the abductions and killings of people with albinism, gruesome robbery killings, rampant cart thefts, mob justice, killings of elderly persons who are suspected of witchcraft, random killings of innocent people, theft of drugs in hospitals and health centers making people feel insecure

“The idea of training of 250 personnel or having case studies in Tanzania, as the President has suggested, will not offer immediate solution to the current plight of people with albinism in the Country.” He noted saying PP view this as “a long term plan whose impact is likely to come long after all people with albinism have all been killed”

“When fire breakout, the immediate solution is not to build a Fire Station but, to stop the fire!” stressed the PP leader

“This being the case, the Peoples Party would like to suggest that total protection be provided forthwith to people with albinism by registering them in all the district assemblies we have in this country and providing them with adequate security either through police officers or community policing.” Mussa said and continued “In this regard I would like to inform the Minister of Home Affairs that in addition to police officers, we can use community policing, so that people can guard them here and there throughout the country but after knowing where they are staying.” He emphasized

PP acting President mentioned that there was need to mention short term plans that may protect the people with albinism and end the killings now.

“What will be happening? Will these criminals wait for that long term plan, because training them going to Tanzania, having case study, will these criminals wait for them? That is why we are saying we need to come up with protective measures.” He wondered later in an interview

Commenting on agriculture and hunger Uladi Mussa said Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Government has not taken the Agriculture sector as a priority particularly because it is failing to allocate more resources to irrigation in order to eradicate hunger in this country.

He even recalled that President Mutharika's address only indicated of providing funds to ADMARC but failed to disclose amount of money allocated to ADMARC for buying food.

He futher mentioned that there are signs of poor Governance and that State of National Address failed to cover key areas that affect ordinary Malawians.

He also called for decisive plans to take Malawi to road to recovery and also take blames and not shifting it to natural calamities all the time and remined the Government that “The longer we dwell on our misfortunes, the greater is the power to harm us.”

Mussa even described the President Speech as “hotchpotch (Nansanganya) of operational reports hurriedly thrown together with no attempt at establishing overall strategic direction or policy linkages across the sectors.”

He among other things said 3 years since the DPP Government was voted into power the problems continue to get out of hand “and our people are angry, bitter and impatient.” He said people want action and not ideas only

“We cannot continue to have a Government that simply joins in to lament together with the people as if it has no tools to normalize the situation.” Said Mussa

Mussa in his remarks said there is no impact to the budgets that the House continue to pass which now for a period of 2 years it amounts to K1.7 trillion (2014/2015 – K760 billion and 2015/2016 – K906 billion).

“Dress Traditional On Friday” Idea Goes To Parliament: Business Committee In Consultations

The President Peter Mutharika’s idea to dress traditional every Friday has now made its way through the National Assmbly doors but it may stay on hold until consultations are finalised and approved.

Speaker, Richard Msowoya announced today that the idea was brought into the recent meeting of Business Committee that legislators should also start to wear local clothes every Friday.

Mutharika made directive during the launch of Best Buy Malawi Strategy that Malawians should start to put on the traditional attire every Friday as one way of promoting local fashion industry.

Mutharika himself, senior Government officials and others in civil service now follows this directive.

Men are allowed to dress this way in Parliament 

Every Friday they will be seen dressing
completely different 

However, this idea may possibly take long to make it into chambers of Parliament because tradition and practice require all Members, male or female, to dress in contemporary business attire that is; male Members wear a jacket, shirt and tie as standard dress.

So this is possibly why the Business Committee has resolved to consult before allowing members to put on African dresses in the House.

“I wish to inform the House that the Business Committee resolved that there was need for the National Assembly to consult further on the matter.” Noted Speaker, Richard Msowoya in part of his announcement about the development, “In this regard it was resolved that meanwhile the dress code as prescribed by our standing orders should be maintained”

Most Female legislators like Hon. Nyalonje 
have been putting on traditional dresses

Female MPs in this picture shows they are already 
into Buy Malawi idea unlike male Legislators

If this will be allowed, Men will basically be the ones to be asked to put on local designs on Friday's because although female legislators adhere to Parliamentary dress code, their dresses are mostly local designs.

Assented Bills and Business For the Budget Meeting 

Metrology, Appropriation Bills Assented By President Mutharika

Speaker of the National Assembly has informed the House today that two bills that were passed during the last Meeting of the National Assembly were assented by President Peter Mutharika last months.

"The bills were assented by State President Professor Peter Mutharika on 24th April 2016 and were published in the Gazette on 29th April 2016, effectively making them to be Acts of Parliament” he said 

He said the bills are Bill No. 2 of 2015 - Metrology which has been published as an Act No. 10 of 2016 and Bill No. 13 of 2016 - Appropriation Amendment which has been published as an Act of No. 11 of 2016.

The speaker continued to announce the resolutions of the Business Committee which met on Thursday 19th May, 2016 on the Business for the program for the 2016/2017 Budget Meeting of Parliament.

He said starting this week 1 of the meeting, from Monday 23rd May, 2016 to Friday 27th May, 2016 the House will spend five days debating on the motion on State of National Address which President Mutharika delivered when opening the meeting and on Friday at 10:45 hours the debate will be curtailed with winding up remarks by the legislator [Lilongwe City South East, Bentley Namasasu] who moved the motion today. 

Then on Tuesday, (tomorrow) Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development will present a Ministerial Statement on the Food Situation.

“Immediately after winding up debate on the President Speech, the House will be suspended and will reconvene at 2 O’clock in the afternoon for the Budget Presentation by Minister of Finance in this House. This means that the Minister of Finance will present his budget statement on Friday, 27th May from 2 o’clock in the afternoon.” Confirmed the Speaker

He said second and third weeks that is from Monday 30th May, 2016 to Friday 10th June 216 will be a Committee work for Budged Scrutiny. While from week four and five, from Monday 13th June, 2016 to Friday 24th June 2016 Opposition Spokespersons on Finance and Chairperson of Budget Committee will make their responses to the Budget. Debate on budget will be curtailed 24th June for the minister to wind up the debate. But the questions for oral replies will start on 14th June and bills and all other businesses including reports will be discussed during the same period. 

Week 6 from Monday 27th June to Friday 1st July 2016 the House will commence the Committee of Supply and it is being planned that the budget will be passed on Thursday 30th June, 2016 while on Friday 1st July will be passing of all budget related bills.

The seventh week which is the final week of the meeting, from Monday 4th July to Friday 8th July the House will deliberate on all remaining businesses such as bills and statements and reports and on Friday the House will adjourn Sine Die.