Mw Govt Firm on Judiciary Demands

Mw Govt Firm on Judiciary Demands: Pushing for Further Discussions

Government says it has maintained its position regarding three demands being made by its executive arm the Judiciary.  

The judicial staff comprising of Judges and Magistrates wants their salary adjusted corresponding to the rate that has been implemented for Civil Servants, payment of housing allowance, and the purchase of new motor vehicles for judicial officers and replacement of old vehicles which have clocked 150,000km.

According to a notice dated 21^st November 2014 signed by Justice Lovemore Chikopa JA as Chairperson of the Working Committee on Terms and Conditions of Service of Judiciary addressed to Minister of Justice and Chief Secretary, threatens that all staffs in Judiciary will at the expiry of seven days from the day thereof proceed to withhold labour until their issues have been resolved to their satisfaction.

“The information that has been given to the public suggests that the Judiciary is going on strike because Government has not resolved the issues that they had raised in their communiqué dated 30^th October, 2014 which was addressed to the Attorney General” said Samuel Tembenu Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs at a press briefing in Lilongwe over the weekend when making response to the impending judicial strike.

“These matters have been a subject of discussions for the past month between representatives of the Judiciary and the Office of the President and Cabinet; Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs”

Hon Tembenu said in several engagements the judicial staff “flatly rejected” government offer to bring their salaries to that same level as those obtaining in the Civil Service and to add on top of that a 15% increment. He said they have also indicated in no uncertain terms to accept nothing less than new vehicles and that their demands should be implemented fully.

He further said in three recent meetings of which one of them lasted only 15 minutes the Judiciary refused to compromise government position and explanation that, what has happened in the Civil Service is a salary restructuring exercise and not general increment.

The minister indicated that Judicial officers and supporting staff have always had higher salaries than other officers in comparable grades within the Civil Service and because of this disparity government is now implementing a Medium Term Pay Policy (MTPP) adopted in 2005 which its objective is to implement a harmonized pay and incentive regime for the public service within an affordable wage bill.

“In any event, it is an anomaly to describe the salary restructuring and harmonization as a general increment and to be used as a basis for the current demand.” Said the minister and indicated that accommodating all judicial staff demands in full, and the current economic situation, will defeat the whole purpose of 2005 “harmonization policy”

He therefore underlined that Government is pursuing the principle of “Equal pay for work of equal value” and full implementation of the measures will require significant efforts and understanding from all executive arms of government.

On housing allowances the minister indicated that all allowances such as on housing were consolidated in the basic pay which the Principle Secretary for Human Resource Samuel Madula concurred with the Minister and reminded on the consolidation which was made some years back to ensure that wage bill is manageable following a problem of “average in salaries” which in the end Late President Bingu Wamutharika proposed to go back to old system where he said everyone benefited a lot.

Madula added “There is no need to go back on this matter to add again on housing allowance which current budget cannot absorb and it would be difficult to meet the primary objective of harmonization.”

But Hon. Tembenu warned that the decision to go on strike as an arm of Government, Judiciary is “effectively abdicating” its constitutional responsibilities a development which may also result in disturbing pursuance of cashgate cases in courts where the Judiciary is a key player in the handling of these cases.

“Therefore, the Judiciary’s stated intention to go on strike at this point is tantamount to holding the people of Malawi to ransom. In any case, it is a tragedy for a whole arm of Government to shutdown in their manner proposed and deny the people of Malawi their right to access justice.”

Hon Tembenu however, said government is still appealing to Judiciary to live up to its constitutional mandate and responsibilities in the interest of the people of Malawi.

He expressed hope that reason will prevail in resolving this impasse very soon “We cannot resolve that issue after another branch has downed its tools we need to carryon doing our work all of us in our respective areas of work”

Pop Star Madona Malawi’s Goodwill Ambassador For Child Welfare

Pop Star Madona Malawi’s Goodwill Ambassador For Child Welfare

The famous American Pop Music Queen Madonna Louise Ciccone popularly known as Madonna is now a Goodwill Ambassador for Malawi on Child Welfare.

Malawi President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has appointed Madonna who is currently raising her two Malawian adopted children David Banda and Mercy Brown.

According to a Press Statement signed on 28^th November 2014 by Chief Secretary to Government Mr. George Mkondiwa says the appointment is with immediate effect.

Government of President Mutharika few days ago also announced that it has returned VVIP status of Madonna which was revoked  by Dr. Joyce Banda administration following the disagreements Madonna had with Anjimile Oponyo Ntira sister to Joyce Banda.

It is reported that Madonna had disagreements with Anjimile over payments and project implementation some years back and Banda administration revoked the status by tagging the development that Madonna failed to fulfill her promise to build in Malawi a Girls Academy. 

NONM commend govt for fostering good relationship with nurses

NONM commend govt for fostering good relationship with nurses 

The nurses union, National Organisation of Nurses and Midwives of Malawi (NONM) says there is hope that nurses welfare and the health sector in general will continue to improve because of the healthy relationship between the organisation and Malawi government.

The Executive Director for NONM Harriet Bwanali made the remarks in Lilongwe on Friday at the opening of Biannual meeting of the organization where the Minister of Health Dr. Jean Kalirani was the guest of honor.

Bwanali said for the past two years the organization has made some positive strides in the course of improving nurse’s welfare and capacity building because the Ministry of Health has been keen to work with and listen to NONM on critical issues it has been raising to government.

She pointed out several achievements that the organization has made so far which she said are the signs of the positive relationship between the organization and the Ministry. She among others mentioned that the organization has had in several occasions meeting with Government Negotiation Team to discuss on salary adjustment for nurses where positive response was made as salary was adjusted to 34% increase and that another increment has been made recently.

The NONM Executive Director added that through such discussions several houses have been built in various health centres and currently there are nurses and midwife technicians in all Malawi Health Science colleges upgrading to state registered nurses.

“For the past two years we have seen that there is improvement, we can seat around the table.  The Ministry has been inviting us and we have been included in several technical working groups. This means we have a voice in those technical working groups and we just hope that we will continue to enjoy such type of relationship between government and ourselves as a union” said Bwanali

She added that since government began to recognize NONM such good relationship is also spreading to other professional bodies that have in the past years denied NONM to seat and look at issues together.

“In the past years when we were starting as a union other bodies looked at us as an enemy because they thought we were just cleaning our dirty linen in the public, but what we are doing now is to look at issues, sit down and discuss together and move forward”

On the importance of this Biannual meeting which is to end on Sunday 30^th November and is expected to elect its President, Bwanali said “This meeting is for us to look at issues that we can put on the agenda for lobbying and advocacy, and as we do that we are looking at improving the care that we give to the population of Malawi.”

But in her remarks Minister of Health Hon Jean Kalirani also applauded NONM for being one of the health institutions that is working hard fighting for the improvement of nurses’ welfare and their professional growth.

Kalirani said NONM efforts are assisting government in retention of nurses as well as making sure that nurses are ethical in their duty. She therefore pledged that government will work out on challenges that nurses are facing in the country including making sure that there is no interruptions in medical supplies essential for the work of nurses particularly drug stock-outs in the countries hospitals.

The minister while acknowledging the shortage of nurses in the country, she stated that government will try its best to ensure that more nurses are being trained but emphasized that nurses should be ethical and professional as they do their noble duty of treating patients.

Dowa Police urges Malawians to find proper ways of resolving family disputes

Dowa Police urges Malawians to find proper ways of resolving family disputes

Police in Dowa have urged members of the general Public to engage with relevant authorities including police whenever there is family matter fights.

This follows the suicide of a 24 year old man in the district following a family dispute.

According to Dowa Police Public Relation Officer Sergeant Richard Kaponda the deceased Anderson Petrol from Mgwadali village of T/A Msakambewa in Dowa district, hanged himself to a tree in his garden where he suffocated to death just few days ago.

Kaponda says he quarreled with his wife who refused to take K200 to use for maize mill.

Sergeant Kaponda said Police are encouraging people to resort any problem in the family to their advocates or at any nearest police station than taking one’s own life.

Ministry of Defence, Home Affairs in Joint Investigations into Zomba Shooting

Ministry of Defence, Home Affairs in Joint Investigations into Zomba Shooting

The government Ministries of Defence and Home Affairs and Internal Security have assured Malawians that they are conducting jont investigations into the death of Malawi Defence Force (MDF) soldier who was shot by three Malawi Police Service (MPS) officers who were on patrol duties.

The two ministries confirmed on the development in Lilongwe on Thursday evening when making their statement regarding the incident.

“The government Ministries of Defence and Home Affairs and Internal Security regret the shooting of  Malawi Defence Force soldier, Lance Corporal Prince Lameck in Zomba on 22^nd November 2014 at around 23:00 Hours by the three Malawi Police Service officers who were on patrol duties which resulted in his death. The two ministries are strongly condemning the act.” Said minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Hon. Paul Chibingu who was accompanied by Hon Jappie Mhango Deputy Minister of Defence

“As we are aware, both Malawi Defence Force (MDF) and Malawi Police Service (MPS) provide security in the country and it is very regrettable and unfortunate that a precious life was lost in the course of providing security.”

Honorable Chibingu said “…joint investigations by MDF and MPS are in progress. We also wish to inform the nation that the three MPS Officers involved are currently in custody awaiting findings of the joint investigations.”

The Inspector General of Police Paul Kanyama assured the nation of continued security and cordial working relationship that still exist between police and MDF. He also appealed to Police officers to be professional when carrying out duties and further advised security organizations not to take law into their own hands but to follow standard operating procedures.

“We are currently conducting meetings with all our junior members across the country to always respect one another and be disciplined so that we cool down the situation. Particularly we are asking them to avoid engaging themselves in wrangles as they could not take the nation forward but result into breakdown of security.” Said Kanyama and he added that the three officers will face the law.

According to Deputy Army Commander Lt General Griffin Phiri  said the MDF officers were met several occasions to be briefed on what is being done and the need to remain calm including respecting every institution of security.

“We are advising them to always emulate the good example set by their superiors as there is good working relationship between superiors on both sides. And we want to assure Malawians of security in this country because everything is in order” said Lt General Phiri

Health, HIV, Human Rights CSOs Demands Board Dissolution and Restitution of K57.4M NAC HIV Funds

Health, HIV, Human Rights CSOs Demands Board Dissolution and Restitution of K57.4M NAC HIV Funds

 

Civil Society Organisations in the health, HIV and human rights sector demands swift investigations into the alleged misuse of HIV and AIDS response funds at National Aids Commission (NAC) as recent media reports reveals sum of K57. 4 Million at NAC, was donated to the institutions that are not in their work involved in national HIV response.

The said organizations, Malawi First Lady’s initiative ‘Beautify Malawi Trust (BEAM) received up to K5 Million, National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) got K43 Million and Mulhako Wa Lhomwe received K9.4 Million when these institutions requested NAC to fund their activities.

The CSOs says such donation to the said institutions is a “misplaced priority” hence full restitution of the money must be made including dissolution of entire NAC Board for failure to follow procedure of accessing funds at NAC.

Five CSOs Center for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR), Centre for Development of People (Cedep), Malawi Health Equity Network (Mehen), Manet+ and Manerela+ have described procedure that led to release of such funds as dubious means adding that they are worried with the current crop at NAC Board.

At a media conference on Wednesday evening executive directors for these CSOs, Timothy Mtambo, Gift Trapence, Martha Kwataine, Safari Mbewe and Rev. McDonald Sembereka said the malpractice will compromise donor confidence in the management of national AIDS response funds considering that Malawi rely on Global Fund which supports HIV response up to 90%.

When making their statement, the CSOs questioned procedure that allowed organizations “not strategically placed anywhere in the national response” to use such huge sums of money.

“There are strategic organizations that play a critical role in the national response whose financial allocation has been decreasing recently; constraining realization of evidence based targeted impact. Thus we do not in any way find the released funds as an investment for impact” said Martha Kwataine when delivering the statement

The CSOs are convinced that government and its agents did not follow set of procedures for accessing funds at NAC but used their power to influence NAC to release the money “while holding its dagger”. They however questioned if the board did authorize the money.

CSOs says, finds these reports as a sharp contrast to President Mutharika and his party’s statements on intensifying public reforms to achieve efficiency and effectiveness.

In their joint statement CSOs are firm in demanding four main issues that must happen immediately that Country Coordinating Mechanism Committee of the Global Fund (CCM) must swiftly investigate and bring responsible individuals to book. Immediate dissolution of NAC Board and be replaced by one with sober minded individuals free from political interference.

Beneficiary institutions NIB, BEAM and Mhlako Wa Alhomwe must refund the money. And Government and its agents should demonstrate the SADC drive on mainstreaming HIV and AIDS for sustainability therefore urged First Lady’s initiative BEAM to “develop strategy for mobilizing resources specific to it needs and not interfere with established causes.”

They are also demanding President Mutharika to demonstrate actions to end abuse of public resources by ensuring that justice is done on this incident.

“What is happening is quite shameful,” said CHHR Executive Director Timothy Mtambo “the time to do childish business is over.”

 “There is nothing to do with HIV response in unaudited institutions like BEAM, NIB, and Mhlako. And those who requested this money must be held accountable and explain the basis of this”

And one of the representatives from Health Workers Living Positively said what happened at NAC is injustice considering that “not so long ago” their organization was denied to access funds at NAC on the grounds that NAC had this year received insufficient funds from Global Fund.

The CSOs have also accused Mutharika for bribing journalist during the recent media interface at Sanjika in Blantyre and said they will make sure that all their demands come to pass.

Malawi Govt Hailed on HIV Response, Urge to End Dependency

Malawi Govt Hailed on HIV Response, Urge to End Dependency

World Health Organisation (WHO) commends Malawi government for making remarkable progress in HIV and AIDS response in 2014 as compared to last year.

WHO country representative Dr. Eugene Nyarko said in an interview that the Malawi National Strategic Plan and adoption of new treatment from the old regimen are among the achievements.

Malawi still remains among countries that account for 89% of all new HIV infections but Dr. Nyarko hopes that Malawi can meet targets of Fast-Track strategy to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 if current efforts are to be intensified especially on reducing current proportion of people living with HIV who do not know their HIV status against those living positively but knows HIV status who are only 34%.

He added that and reduction of new HIV infections which is currently estimated at 34,000 per year is another crucial area that Malawi has to work on.

“I think Malawi has done quite well, the National Strategic Plan that was developed is quite comprehensive and we hope that that is going to be a good foundation for us to improve further.” Said Munyarko

“We have made progress in treatment, even though we have a lot of people on treatment now we are talking of over half a million people,” he added “but compared to last year there has been remarkable progress especially in respect to those who are on treatment at the moment.”

He however said Malawi needs to explore ways of mobilizing domestic resources to end dependency on HIV treatment from donors particularly Global Fund.

“…it is up to the government together with partners supporting it to find ways of mobilizing domestic resources. It could come through taxes or other forms” he said and emphasized that this will help the government to be able to make its own contribution particularly to Antiretroviral drugs and reduce the dependency on other donors.

“What happens is, if for other reason the donors are not able to contribute then we will have virtually little to be able to sustain the drugs we need to keep people on treatment” he said

Meanwhile, Secretary for Nutrition and HIV/AIDS in the office of President and Cabinet Edith Mkawa says it may not be easy for Malawi to mobilize its own resources because local institutions that are supposed to help government on HIV have small basket to tap into.

“The challenges that we are facing now, are that we are having dwindling resources in terms of HIV and AIDS. For treatment we only have Global Fund that helps us to buy antiretroviral drugs. And there is also need for commitment from each country now that we should be able to add a certain amount of money so that we can buy drugs and other commodities within the country. She said

“And as you know with Malawi we are struggling in terms of funds and for those funds we were supposed to work with organizations like airtel (one of the mobile telecommunications) and others that would help us. But you can also relate that airtel and Carlsberg are also bombarded with requests from other people and already they provide money to other organizations and communities in so many ways”

“So we have a small resource basket as Malawi to tap into and that is one of the major challenge” said Mkawa