CSOs Won’t Cancel Demonstrations If Only One Institution Return NAC Funds

CSOs Won’t Cancel Demonstrations If Only One Institution Return NAC Funds 

Plans to hold national wide demonstrations demanding Beautify Malawi Trust (BEAM) and Mulhako Wa Alhomwe to refund money accessed from National Aids Commission (NAC) can never be cancelled if only one institution refunds the money.

Burnett Chinsinga who represented ten Business persons from Blantyre and Lilongwe, on Tuesday refunded K5 million that BEAM got from NAC. Chinsinga said by raising the money hoped that CSOs will cancel their planned January 13^th demonstrations because business people are concerned that such demonstrations may affect their businesses.

Chinsinga was in the company of chairperson of the Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC), Robert Mkwezalamba, the Health Rights and Education Programme (HREP) Executive Director, Maziko Matemba, and chairperson of the Right to Food Network, Billy Mayaya,

However NAC has rejected the money saying the businesspersons did not follow procedure of returning the money which is writing NAC and send the money through Treasury.

Trapence: We will cancel demonstrations if all institutions
return the funds to NAC

Centre for Development of People (CEDEP) one of five civil society organisations planning for the Anti-Nac gate demonstrations says CSOs shall cancel demonstrations only if ‘all’ institutions return the money before 13 January 2015.

CEDEP executive director Gift Trapence in his reaction to the attempts being made by concerned business persons said even if the group successfully returns the money on behalf of BEAM, still demonstrations will be on as planned because CSOs will be asking Mulhako to return the money.

“What we want to see is all the institutions returning the money to NAC” he said. “Because we want that money used for impact based activities”

While welcoming gesture by concerned business persons and encourage Mulhako to do the same, Trapence mentioned that had business person’s return the money to NAC for BEAM, CSOs would still have demanded a receipt indicating that NAC has received the returned money.

Trapence however said CSOs will be meeting on the incident to make official stand.

Meanwhile BEAM has maintained stand that they will never return the money because it was not given out as cash. BEAM said had the business persons consulted BEAM then BEAM could have instructed them not to refund the money.

2 Killed After Thrown From Bed of Truck

2 Killed After Thrown From Bed of Truck

Two men were killed in Dowa district after they were thrown from an open back of the truck as it sped uncontrollably at a steep slope road when it developed brake failure.

According to Dowa Police Public Relations Officer Sergeant Richard Kaponda the fatal accident occurred on Tuesday involving a TATA lorry registration number DZ 3893, and 10 other passengers had serious injuries.

Sgt Kaponda: Others were rushed to KCH

“The Driver was on his way to Kachigamba from Dowa Boma with 12 passengers riding in a bed of the truck containing some building materials. Upon reaching Chimvu primary school as he was descending a slope the vehicle lost control due to brake failure.” Said Kaponda, “and it started to descend with a greater speed, passengers were thrown in the process then it stopped when it hit the wall in a verge”

Sgt Kaponda says police identified the driver as Noel Kachule aged 32 from Sapita village of T/A Chauma in Dedza. And the two deceased persons are Sinoa Yassin aged not known from M’bango village T/A Mkukula and Richard Charles aged 19 from Chinyama village T/A Chiwere both from Dowa district.

Sgt Kaponda said Sinoa died at the scene while Richard died upon arrival at Dowa district hospital.

The other passengers were rushed to Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) for sustained serious injuries.

Salima District Police Promises Tourists Tight Security

Already netted 22 men, 11 women

Police in Salima district says they have tightened security in the district in order to make tourists walk freely when enjoying Christmas and New Year festivities along Lake Malawi.

Sergeant Gift Chitowe Salima District Public Relations Officer confirmed that both uniformed and civilian police officers have already met owners of bars, security companies and lodges as well as members of community policing in the district on how they can work together during this festive season in order to reduce crime.

“We have also engaged with members of the general public on the importance of reporting all suspected persons and all crime related incidences to police” he added. He said police will be quick in responding to any given tip.

“I would like to assure any person whether in Malawi or outside the country who wants to spend their holiday in our district that security is tight and be assured of their safety.” He said

As matter of showing how serious with security issue police in the district have, he said they have already over the weekend arrested 33 people on rogue and vagabond and earning a living through prostitution offences.

Sgt Chitowe said 22 are men and 11 are women and were arrested during a sweeping exercise operation in all trading centre’s within Salima district

Pres. Mutharika Release 197 Prisoners for Christmas

"a symbol of forgiveness as the country commemorates its Christmas and New Year Celebrations"

President Professor Peter Mutharika has pardoned 197 inmates for Christmas festivities.

“The Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security wishes to to announce that it has pleased His Excellency the President, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika to Pardon 197 prisoners.” Reads press statement dated 23^rd December 2014

The statement says 197 prisoners who have been pardoned are those who have served at least half of their prison sentences, with good behaviour and were not convicted of serious offences.

“The Pardon of the 197 prisoners is a symbol of forgiveness as the country commemorates its Christmas and New Year Celebrations.”

Farm Input Subsidy Distribution Ending Without Irregularities

Farm Input Subsidy Distribution Ending Without Irregularities

The Farm Input Subsidy Programme (FISP) distribution exercise from main warehouses to ADMARC depot across the country is expected to end by month end of December which is in few days time.

As of Monday 22^nd December, 2014 the programe had reached 90.6% of distribution of this year’s 150,000 Metric Tons of Urea and NPK fertilizers from Smallholder Farmers Fertiliser Revolving Fund of Malawi (SFFRFM) Depots to all unit markets.

Deputy National Coordinator for FISP Mr. Osborne Tsoka said the distribution exercise comes to an end in few days time without cases in relation to siphoning of fertilizer bags, mixing fertilizer with sand or other challenges the programme experienced in previous years.

Tsoka attributed to the success of this year’s programme which was implemented in a short period of time due to various efforts that Ministry of Agriculture has put in place, “In previous years we could have cases of diversion of fertilizer bags, this year, what we have done is that every vehicle living the three major warehouses of SFFRFM of Chilimba Kanengo and Luwinga is being accompanied by armed police officers at the same time we have satellite tracking.”

He added that this tracking system has also prevented cases of mixing fertilizer with sand. He also mentioned that influx of fake coupons has been controlled by strengthening of security features of the FISP coupons.

He said currently the programme has also included a village buying arrangement system to reduce congestions in ADMARC depots which had in previous years resulted in fights among farmers when trying to access fertilizer.

This arrangement system has proven to be effective in some depots that were visited by the media on Monday afternoon. Officials from Mponela and Madisi ADMARC depots praised the system saying it has reduced congestion as farmers comes to buy the inputs only on the day that was specifically set for their group village head.

In 2014/2015 national budget allocated K50.4 billion for FISP targeting 1.5 million vulnerable farmers.

CSOs Angered By Pres. Mutharika Defensive Remarks at Children Christmas Party

CSOs Angered By Pres. Mutharika Defensive Remarks at Children Christmas Party

The five Civil Society Organissations (CSOs) Manet+Manelera+ MEHEN, CEDEP and CHRR are not at ease with President Professor Peter Mutharika’s recent remarks that rebuke his critics who may attempt to probe where he outsourced money used for hosting First Couples Christmas party with children from around Lilongwe on Wednesday 17^th December 2014 at Kamuzu Palace.

In a quest to inform the nation that he hosted the children Christmas party using his own together with first lady and well wishers money, President Peter Mutharika is on record cautioning any attempt to find fault from the party particularly probe where the money was sourced and make some protests out of it.

CSOs view this as direct attack to human rights activists that have vehemently vow to go on with plans for national demonstrations demanding (organizations not strategically placed in national HIV and AIDS response) First Lady’s initiative Beautify Malawi Trust (BEAM) and his tribe grouping Mulhako Wa Alhomwe to repay back the national HIV and AIDS response funds they access through dubious means from National Aids Commission (NAC).

In their statement confirming steady to go on with January 13^th 2015 demonstrations presented to the media over the weekend, CSOs have questioned motive of President Peter Mutharika’s defensive remarks on accountability of his money used for hosting the party and any attempt to make demonstrations.

In the manner the president presented the caution, CSOs suspect that the president had a hand in the recent NAC incident. CSOs are also accusing President Mutharika’s silence and failure to condemn the incident or calling for a swift investigations, “For no doubt the President’s “silence” on the matter is making a lot of noise, and to a greater extent his silence may be implied as consent to the malpractice.” Said Timoty Mtambo CHRR executive director who was together with Gift Trapence Executve director for Cedep, representing other three CSOs

 “Why is it that the DPP’s regime seemed to be more concerned or angry with the saga than even the implicated BEAM Trust and Mulhakho Wa Alhomwe?” asked Mtambo

“Why the panic? Is there something the DPP’ regime is hiding to the country on its possible role in NACGATE? If the whole of the President can stand up and say “I don’t want mawa somebody nkumati fwee fwee fwee ndipanga demonstrations and so forth there is no government money here involved”, in front of children,” Mtambo said adding that even such words were not palatable for the children at the event

“For any possible intentions by his critics to poke their nose into the source of funds for the children’s party in a context or a background of NACGATE and that the only demonstrations being talked about which are as a result of misuse of public funds are the ones related to NACGATE, then we should all be suspicious and question why the President is uttering such and his possible link to NACGATE saga? Why the guilt and anger?” said CHRR executive director

Taking his turn Cedep executive director Gift Trapence also expressed CSOs dismay on “worrisome” arguments being advanced by some executive board members of BEAM Trust who in support of NAC gesture in releasing funds to Beatify Malawi Trust (BEAM) and their position that BEAM cannot return the money are also contradicting with clarification made by NAC.

Trapence also query Mr. Maxwell Matewere a Vice Chairperson of CONGOMA and board member of First Lady Gertrude Mutharika’s BEAM Trust, if his arguments supporting NAC gesture and calling nationwide demonstrations ‘a rushed one’ were spoken on behalf of CONGOMA as a result of consultative process with members or a board member of BEAM.

Similarly, the statement by CSOs, also accuse Malawi Interfaith and Aids Alliance (MIAA) Robert Ngaiyaye for making a sweeping argument for reasons not known.

It further accuses Mr. Mavuto Bamusi (President Peter Mutharika’s Advisor on NGOs and board member of First Lady’s BEAM Trust) for alleging that CSOs are jealousy of BEAM trust and are politically motivated therefore BEAM cannot refund the money, and the CSOs should go ahead with the planned demonstrations. CSOs statement maintains that Mr. Bamusi was supposed to advise the President on the negative implications of using HIV and AIDS funds for unrelated activities.

Anti-NAC Gate Demonstrations Ready-CSO’s

'if restitution is made within the period, demonstrations will be called off' Anti-NAC Gate CSO’s

Five Civil Society Organisations demanding First Lady’s BEAM Trust and Mulhakho Wa Lhomwe to refund National Aids Commission (NAC) funds says their planned national wide demonstrations are ready on 13 January 2015, but can call them off once the involved institutions return the money before actual day of demonstrations.

BEAM Trust and Mulhakho Wa Lhomwe whose work is not directly involved in fight against HIV and AIDS are reported to have accessed NAC funds up to MK5 Million and MK9.4 Million respectively through dubious means.

However NAC maintains stand that it did not grant any money to Beautify Malawi but rather participated in the Beautify Malawi launch activities through buying dinner tables for stakeholders and advertising during the launch. And as a cultural grouping, Muhlakho wa Ahlomwe was supported through high level advocacy activities for HIV and AIDS issues.

It also set record straight that “the existing sub granting procedures provide for multiple channels of financing that include both solicited grant recipient organizations as well as demand driven applications.”

Board members for BEAM Trust have also accused CSOs for making demands on the matter out of jealousy.

But Manet+, Manelera+, Malawi Health Equity Network (MEHN), Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR0 and Centre for Development of People (CEDEP) in a statement released on Friday confirm that the day to hold demonstration is set and preparations are underway.

The joint letter bearing signatures of executive directors Safari Mbewe (MANET+), Martha Kwataine (MHEN), MacDonald Sembereka (MANERELA+), Gift Trapence (CEDEP) and Timothy Mtambo (CHRR) gives condition that if these institutions repay the money within the period, demonstrations will be called off because intention is not to do the demonstrations but making sure that the funds are paid back to NAC.

CSOs insist that “government and its agents” used their power to influence NAC to release the money while holding its dagger. They also believe that NAC clarification on this abuse of funds is a “big joke” but an attempt to shield the involved institutions from the scandal “NAC statement did not manage to address any of our concerns, if truth be told” maintains CSOs in the statement

“It is in light of the foregoing that the CSOs under the anti Nac-gate banner have stuck to our plans to stage nationwide protests on 13the January, 2014. The CSOs are more determined than ever to offer the public the platform to exercise their freedom of assembly and expression in demanding the two institutions in question to refund the NAC money, and also call for the current regime address the prevailing economic and political woes which are inhibiting Malawians from fully enjoying their human rights” reads the statement

Timothy Mtambo (CHRR0 and Gift Trapence (Cedep) told journalists in Lilongwe Friday evening that their petition is being worked on and it sets time frame of every demand and vows not to rest until restitution in full amount of the money is made.

Timothy Mtambo: We are making progress 

CHRR executive Director Timothy Mtambo said the demonstrations progress are making strides and come that day people will hold demonstrations in exercising their rights.

Gift Trapence: We will use other avenues if
our petition demands are not ment

Cedep Executive Director said “We have started the announcements, we just want to remind Malawians that this is a national demonstrations but as well that will have subsequent announcements of designated routs and districts where demonstrations will be.”

“We have a petition that we have written that we want to submit to government to make sure that they are able to comply to the demands of that petition.” He said

He made it clear that if it happens that government fail to comply to the demands by not forcing its agents (BEAM and Mulhako) to repay the money, CSOs will use other avenues “One is to do more demonstrations, but as well we will also use courts to make sure that these institutions have paid back the money.”

He noted that though court staff are on strike but once are open CSOs will “mobilize Malawians” to sue such institutions as well as NAC Board for flouting procedure of accessing NAC funds, “Even if at our local level in terms of courts system we are not helped we have so many international instruments that we can use to force these institutions to pay back the money.”

At first CSOs issued a seven day line for NIB, BEAM and Mlhakho wa Alhomwe  to repay back the money which they did not honor and upon expiry the CSOs announced January 13^th 2015 as a day to hold peaceful demonstrations. In light of these CSOs says they have still given the said institutions “so many days” to repay the money.