Malawi National Assembly Passes Trafficking in Persons Bill

Malawi National Assembly Passes Trafficking in Persons Bill

The Malawi National Assembly on Wednesday afternoon passed Trafficking in Persons Bill.

Passing of the bill gives Malawians hope of an end or reduction of cases of human trafficking which have been on the increase due to lack of specific legislation to curb such illegal practice and porous borders . 

Recent media reports indicate not long ago this year, 13 children the youngest being 6 years old were trafficked from Zomba to Mozambique. And in Phalombe district, Police have been involved in rescue operations with Mozambican authorities where more than 124 children have been rescued and it is alleged that some of these had their genitals mutilated.

A lot of children and girls in Malawi have been vulnerable to trafficking due to poverty, domestic violence and child-headed homes as well as lack of economic opportunities. Such trafficked children have been experiencing various forms of exploitation including forced labour, forced prostitution, domestic slavery and body organs.

Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Hon. Paul Chibingu when presenting the Bill in the House emphasized that the bill will address number of issues that emerged due to lack of proper law. He said the Bill seeks to protect and promote rights of vulnerable people especially children and girls who are the most target of traffickers who uses deception or force for the purpose of exploitation.

Hon Chibingu indicated that the legislation has several stiffer penalties including imprisonment sentences which some of the longest ones are more than 20 years of imprisonment. He said such penalties will effectively protect children of Malawi from being trafficked as it has been the case. 

Since Malawi was the only country in the SADC region without proper legislation on Trafficking, the Minister further said when the bill is enacted into law there will be a better collaboration between Malawi and its neighboring countries in combating trafficking as well as in prosecution of such cases.

“This bill will assist the country especially in our courts, they have been having problems in dealing with human trafficking cases just because we had no proper law of governing courts in terms of passing sentences” said Chibingu “But this time around, once this bill becomes a law our courts will have a uniform way of discharging the justice and imposing penalties for to be offenders.”

Spokespersons for political parties in the House, from Malawi Congress Party (MCP), People’s Party (PP) and United Democratic Front (UDF) all supported the bill.

During the general debate some members while supporting the bill they also raised a number of issues among them on the need to strengthen security in all border districts where human trafficking is rampant and that issuing of national identification cards is necessary.

But the Internal Security Minister has assured parliamentarians that government is making sure that security is tight in all the districts and that before end of 2015 government will commence issuing national identity cards as another way of preventing human trafficking.

Goodall Optimistic of Uninterrupted Service Delivery in Government As National Assembly Passes 2014/2015 Supplementary Budget

Goodall Optimistic of Uninterrupted Service Delivery in Government As National Assembly Passes 2014/2015 Supplementary Budget

Gondwe

Minister of Finance Economic Planning and Development hon. Goodall Gondwe is certain that passing of the 2014/2015 Supplementary Budget on Tuesday will enable government Ministries and Departments to work effectively

In an interview immediately after the National Assembly passed Supplementary Appropriation bill of 2014/2015 financial year, excited Gondwe said passing of this bill has served some of the ministries and departments that were almost runout of funds.

 "If we didn't have it there would have been problems, because there are some votes which are very important but did not have enough money therefore it means that they would not have been performing."

He said "Now that they have money every ministry should be able to perform, they cannot say they are unable to perform because the money is not available."

The finance minister, added that his two months labour has finally paid off.

The National Assembly has authorized the government to use total sum of sum of K769.2 billion following passing of the Supplementary Appropriation Bill of 2014/2015 financial year.

In the just passed Supplementary budget, government was seeking an additional resources amounting to K32 billion.

Allocations to Directorate of Public Prosecution and State Advocate (DPP office) and Legal Aid have been passed with amendment while Road Fund Administration vote which was deferred on Friday has been passed without any alteration.

The adjustment made by the Minister of Finance on the votes was to maintain the resource allocation as approved in the budget.  Therefore resources for DPP office have been sustained to K495.7 million and not revised K536 million while Legal Affairs Department vote has been retained as approved provision of K227.3 million and not revised K210.4 million.

The amendment has been reached upon following member's from opposition benches proposal that the two institutions be sufficiently funded for the effective prosecution of the ongoing cases particularly of Cashgate and enabling less privileged Malawians to access to justice.

National Assembly Passes 2014/2015 Supplementary Budget: Two Amendment made to DPP, Legal Aid Votes

National Assembly Passes 2014/2015 Supplementary Budget: Two Amendment made to DPP, Legal Aid Votes

The National Assembly has authorized the government to use total sum of sum of K769.2 billion following passing of the Supplementary Appropriation Bill of 2014/2015 financial year.

In the just passed Supplementary budget, government was seeking an additional resources amounting to K32 billion.

Allocations to Directorate of Public Prosecution and State Advocate (DPP office) and Legal Aid have been passed with amendment while Road Fund Administration vote which was deferred on Friday has been passed without any alteration.

The adjustment made by the Minister of Finance on the votes was to maintain the resource allocation as approved in the budget.  Therefore resources for DPP office have been sustained to K495.7 million and not revised K536 million while Legal Affairs Department vote has been retained as approved provision of K227.3 million and not revised K210.4 million.

The amendment has been reached upon following member’s from opposition benches proposal that the two institutions be sufficiently funded for the effective prosecution of the ongoing cases particularly of Cashgate and enabling less privileged Malawians to access to justice.

Excited Goodall Gondwe in an interview said his two months labour has finally paid off. He said passing of this bill will help government to be effective 

“If we didn’t have it there would have been problems, because there are some votes which are very important but did not have enough money therefore it means that they would not have been performing. Now that they have money every ministry should be able to perform, they cannot say they are unable to perform because the money is not available.”

Blantyre City-Central Legislature Themba Mkandawire Manhandles An Usher in Parliament Chambers

Blantyre City-Central Legislature Themba Mkandawire Manhandles An Usher in Parliament Chambers 

The National Assembly was on the afternoon of Tuesday turned into a torture camp when an Honorable Member for Blantyre City-Central Constituency, Themba Mkandawire physically manhandled a helpless Head of Usher’s in parliament.

The assault of a man identified as Jones Sabola who began work in 1989 as a Parliamentary Usher (Person responsible in delivering documents and passing quick notes for legislatures inside parliament), followed misunderstanding over distribution of calendars which the Usher together with his colleagues was distributing to members in the House immediately when the House was suspended for a lunch break.

According to eye witness and the victim himself, Hon. Mkandawire was insisting to get two calendars from already allocated one calendar per parliamentarian. Usher’s declined to give Mkandawire another calendar for fear that accepting his demand will deprive other parliamentarians of getting their calendar. 

Unfortunately, Usher’s explanation proved to be futile as Hon Mkandawire launched an attack at Sabola by pulling his necktie and strangled him in the process. The charged parliamentarian then sent several punches in defenseless Sabola’s stomach and headbutted him.

“The combination of the heavy punches and headbutt, sent me down on the floor and I smashed against the chair in the process.” lamented Sabola whose claim was also approved by his several other colleagues who eye witnessed the event.

As I was speaking to the victim who was yet to go to the hospital complained much about headache and stomach pains.

One of the Usher’s said “We respect and treat everyone (members of parliament) with their dignity but we wondered how this parliamentarian mistreated our leader”, and continued “This is the first time in the history of Malawi parliament and we are very unhappy” 

It was an apology and assurance that such a practice was uncalled-for from Leader of House in the National Assembly Hon Francis Lazaro Kasaila on behalf of government that calmed down Parliamentary Usher’s who were about to go on strike. 

When approached to comment over his conduct, Mkandawire neither admitted nor denied to have beaten up the Usher and instead queried on who had told this reporter that he had done what he was being asked about. Before he could get any reply, he angrily walked away towards the exit, murmuring that he was too bored to remain within parliament for the remainder of the afternoon.

Parliament has taken up the matter and Usher’s have been assured of their safety and respect by every legislator.

“We will follow it up and make sure that something of this sought never happens again. The honorable speaker will take up the matter with the concerned member. But as government we have taken note of it we are going to find out what exactly happened and from there we will make sure that our colleague is properly cautioned that, that is not the way we want members to behave in as far as taking care of Parliament staff is concerned.” Said Kasaila

“We value their contribution, without them our work would have been very difficult so it is a very unfortunate incident and regrettable, but let me assure the nation that the appropriate action will be taken and this incident will not happen again” said Kasaila who explained that the disciplinary action will be handled by the Speaker. 

He added that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) which Mkandawire belongs to, will also take its appropriate measure on his misconduct, “As government we are concerned and we are going to take it up” 

Kabwira

When the house convened after short suspension for a tea break Honorable member for Salima North West Jessie Kabwira took the matter into the chamber. While condemning the act, Kabwira asked the House to assure Usher’s of their protection as they carry out duties inside the chamber.

But Leader of House hon. Kasaila repeated that government was serious about the incident and will not condone the behavior of the member and appropriate measure will be taken.

Later, Hon. Vitus Dzoole Mwale a Lilongwe Msozi South legislator said “This is a very serious issue, as honorable house can the name of this member be announced here for people in his constituency to know what he is doing here?”

However, guidance from the First Deputy Speaker Hon. Esther Mcheka Chilenje and the Leader of house blocked continuation of the issue when the explanation was made that the Speaker of National Assembly is handling the matter.


(Munthu Wakuda Leo contributed part of the information in this story)

National Assembly Approves K769.2 billion:

Appropriation Bill Expected This Afternoon

The Malawi National Assembly’s Committee of Supply has approved the Supplementary Budget of 2014/2015 Financial Year which the governement was seeking additional resources amounting to K32 billion.

The house in the morning of Tuesday has approved sum of K769.2 billion to be part of the Consolidated Recurrent and Capital Accounts for the purpose set out in the Revised Recurrent and Capital Estimates.

Afternoon of the day the house will convene to pass the Supplementary Appropriation Bill of 2014-2015 financial year.

The house approved 57 votes with two amendments on votes which were deferred on Monday; Directorate of Public Prosecution and State Advocate (DPP office) and Legal Aid Department. This follows a reversal of what Finance Minister said on Monday evening that he is not going to change figures for the deferred votes. However, The Road Fund Administration vote which was deferred on last week Friday has been passed with same figures which members had protested against.

Before passing the two amended votes, some parliamentarians expressed dissatisfaction that the Minister of Finance had announced the change without providing the House with Supplementary Order Paper to indicate the changes that were made.

This subsequently saw the Lilongwe Mapuyu-South Parliamentarian, Hon. Joseph Njobvuyalema and Former vice President of The Republic of Malawi who is also the legislature for Mzimba South-West, Khumbo Kachali standing on point of order, expressing that government has flouted procedure.

In an interview, Njobvu yalema said: “Fortunately government has admitted that indeed that, it flouted  procedure of Section 57 of the constitution, which states that, any amendment of to the budget figures or activities has to be in writing by the Minister of Finance himself”

“This time around he did not do it and am not happy that the Minister did flout the procedure.”

Njobvuyalema said, since the decision to continue with the verbal approval of the budget resources was a consensus of the whole house, which “is supreme” he is impatiently waiting to see that the Appropriation Bill to be presented this afternoon has all the two amended votes.

 

Goodall Gondwe

“I didn’t broke procedures,” Said Gondwe, justifying that this is why the supplementary budget has been approved.

On changes made to two votes Gondwe said: “I could have said the let things stay as they are. But I found that probably we should maintain the figure for the Director of Public Prosecutions by returning it to its approved figure and not reduce it by K50 million. Similarly, the Legal Aid Department, which its allocation was being reduced by K16 million has also returned to its approved figure.

“The total amount is K67 million and I am reducing the Statutory vote of compensation by that amount and increase the K67 million on the two votes and I reduced the Compensation amount and that’s how the whole budget balances” he said.

(Munthu Wakuda Leo contributed part of the information in this story)

No Increment to Deferred Votes- Finance Minister

As Committee of Supply Deferred 2 More Votes on Monday

Finance, Economic Planning and Development Minister says he is not going to make any increment to votes being deferred by the National Assembly in the ongoing Committee of Supply.

On Monday evening the Committee of Supply has deferred two votes bringing total number of deferred votes to three following Road Fund Administration vote which was deferred on Friday for having meager allocation.

The two deferred votes are Directorate of Public Prosecution and State Advocate (DPP office) vote which has a revised allocation of K462.3 million from approved provision of K495.7 million and the Legal Aid Department vote which has been deferred by Finance Minister himself without explanation. The vote has an allocation of K210.4 million a revision from approved K227.3 million.

Goodall Gondwe

Reacting to Malawi Voice question if he is going to make some increment to the DPP office vote, Gondwe was quick to say No, no, no.., I hope to convince them some more

Gondwes response is apparent following Mondays Order Paper where Road Fund Administration vote which was deferred on Friday appeared having same figures of revised allocation of K23. 8 billion from approved provision of K25.87 billion.

The Committee of Supply on Monday deferred DPP office vote for having a reduction of up to K50 million. This prompted much debate in the house as opposition members felt the deduction could result into the interference with the work of DPP particularly on prosecution of ongoing cash gate cases.

Members of Parliament for Lilongwe Msinja South Lingson  Belekanyama, Lilongwe Mapuyu South Joseph Njobvuyalema as well as Salima South parliamentarian Uladi Mussa were among the first parliamentarians to inquire from the finance minister why DPP office has been given a meager allocation yet it is responsible in handling very important cases of Cash gate.

Uladi Mussa said the office needed more funding for its obligation of prosecuting cases and therefore allocating little resources to the office will result into inefficiency of government lawyers who may at times fail to attend court sessions for lack of resources like fuel.

Hon. Njobvuyalema at some point said allocating enough resources to DPP office is not only crucial for smooth prosecution of cash gate cases but also vital in bringing back donors confidence.

However, before deferring the vote Gondwe together with Minister of Justice and Constitution Affairs Samuel Tembenu maintained that the allocation was enough at the moment and assured that the allocated amount will not suffocate ongoing cash gate prosecution.

Gondwe said should the department say they want to have more money during the next four or five months Ministry of Finance will make money available to the department But for the time being I would not want to see money lie idle when it can be used somewhere

Only six votes are expected to be passed this Tuesday and later the committee will pass Supplementary Appropriation Bill.

Though the Committee of Supply managed to pass 14 votes on Monday, business of the committee was too slow as compared to Thursday and Friday sitting. This was because members had a lot of questions on how the Ministry of Finance arrived upon each vote allocated to government departments and ministries.

Govt Takes Golden Stance In Committee Of Supply:

37 votes passed, Road Administration Fund vote Deferred 

The adage that 'Silence is Golden' has been proven to be game by government side in the National Assembly during the two days of government business on Committee Of Supply. 

To the surprise of the opposition, when the committee of supply entered first day on Thursday,the opposition members, mainly Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and Peoples Party (PP) were continuously rising to press for clarification through in depth elaborative explanation by the minister of finance Goodall Gondwe on why a particular extra allocation of funds towards the revised budget was arrived upon. 

Likewise, during the second day on Friday the opposition continued seeking for clarification from the minister, vote by vote, without any contribution from the government side. But it was quickly noted that the opposition's surprise which was verbally expressed in the house was a failure to read the bold sign written in the air that those in government had a better understanding of the budgetary process hence their applied stance on the golden silence.

For two sittings Thursday and Friday, the ongoing Committee of Supply has passed a total of 37 votes out of a total of 57 votes. 18 votes were passed on Thursday while 19 votes on Friday. 

However, the house has differed Road Fund Administration vote which has an allocation of revised K23.8 billion from approved provision of K25.87 billion.

Members differed the vote for a reason that there is a lot of work to be done in the road sector but the resources being made available "may not be adequate" particularly now that the ongoing rains have destroyed a lot of roads across the country. 

The Finance minister Goodall Gondwe said will review the vote and bring it on Monday.  But he said the reviewed vote will reflect capacity to full utilisation of the allocated amount within the next six months and not necessarily question of allocating resources .

Among the revised votes passed to stand part of the Revised Recurrent and Development Estimates on Thursday alone, includes K651.4 million for Ministry of Youth and Sports Development a revision from approved provision of K1.07 billion and K154. 2 billion to Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development a revision from approved provision of K140. 6 billion. On Friday the house passed K82.5 million a revision from approved provision of K115 Million for the Ministry of Disability and the Elderly Affairs, and K90. 8 billion a revision from K81.68 billion for the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

The Finance Minister is seeking the house to approve additional funds amounting to K32 billion. Meanwhile, the Committee of Supply which adjourned on Friday expects to resume  on Monday afternoon.

Leader of House in the National Assembly Hon. Francis Lazaro Kasaila has since expressed hope that the remaining votes will be passed on Monday as the Committee of Supply sits in the afternoon “I believe that come Monday we will complete the Committee of Supply”

Kasaila also praised cooperation and progress made so far during the committee of Supply “During the Committee of Supply we have seen that we have done quite well questions that were being asked were pertinent it indicates that people are concerned of projects in their communities”

Speaking of the upcoming week he said “We have a lot of bills that are going to come and we hope that we have cooperation in the house as well.”

(Munthu Wakuda Leo contributed part of the information in this story)