EU Pumps in K3.5 bn for 2025 Elections Preps
The European Union (EU) says it will provide 3 million euros (approximately K3.5 billion) towards the 2025 elections basket fund through its flagship Malawi Democratic Governance Programme.
EU ambassador to Malawi Rune Skinnebach told journalists in Lilongwe Thursday that the funds will be used to strengthen the capacity of Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), Malawi Police Service and civil society organizations to ably engage with stakeholders and the electorate in the electoral process.
Skinnebach says this is in a bid that Malawi should have a well-managed, inclusive and transparent electoral process.
“The EU wishes to support peaceful elections, reduce tensions and potential disputes regarding the electoral process by strengthening existing mechanisms contributing to conflict prevention and mitigation,” said Skinnebach.
He added that the EU will also support the participation of women, youths and persons with disabilities in the electoral process.
According to Skinnebach, the donor funds are only complementing the huge budget that the Malawi government will set aside for elections. He therefore called on the government to give MEC enough resources in preparations towards the forthcoming election.
“For the successful conduct of the 2025 tripartite elections, it is imperative that the government allocates sufficient financial resources to MEC in a timely manner, so that it can proceed with electoral preparations as needed."
The EU ambassador also disclosed that they will also continue to support other broader democratic governance initiatives including the National Registration Bureau (NRB) and Ministry of Local Government under its “Boma lathu programme”.
The NRB, he said, will receive 3 million euros through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to develop and roll out the first civil registration system while the Directorate of Civic Education in the Ministry of Local Government will also get 3 million euros to support civic education and increase public participation.
Recently, the UK Government also unveiled a contribution of 2 million pounds (approximately K2.5 billion) towards the Malawi Electoral Support Project to assist in the preparation for the forthcoming elections to be free, fair and credible.
64 Hectares of Chitakale Pine Plantation Destroyed Within 2 Years
Political Tension Nearly Disrupts Late Gondwe’s Burial Ceremony
The body of iconic economist cum politician Goodall Gondwe was buried yesterday and all the eulogies at the burial ceremony centered on celebrating his personal, educational, and political achievements.
Scores of people from within and abroad attended the sorrowful ceremony which earlier was threatened by rising political tension amongst political parties, but CCAP Synod of Livingstonia, family, former Vice President Khumbo Kachali, and Vice President Saulos Chilima emphasized that Gondwe deserved a proper send-off.
“Time for politicking is coming and we all know that. Let’s all of us keep in mind that we have come here to bury the great son of Malawi and he deserves a befitting send-off,” said Chilima before reading his eulogy.
Added Chilima: “When we go back to Lilongwe government will organize a conference where economists will review some of Gondwe's works, it is instrumental for the country.
“Goodall was a true definition of a good man. He was our father and mentor. Whenever you wanted him for advice, he was there.”
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) president Peter Mutharika described the late Gondwe as a great son of Malawi, after serving the country and international organizations including the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
“I met Goodall in 1959 at school. Since that time we have been together and worked closely in various setups. Family and the party have lost a great man,” said Mutharika.
Goodall Goodall was DPP’s vice president for the northern region.
Group Village Headman Kayiwononga told hundreds that gathered at the ceremony that their father, meaning late Gondwe, taught Kayiwonanga Village three things which included the promotion of unity, love and also having a spirit of hard work.
This was echoed by his daughter Tiwonge who spoke on behalf of her two brothers.
Born Goodall Edward Gondwe on 1 December 1936 in Mzimba, he breathed his last on 8 August 2023.
MALGA, CSAT Want District Council Chairpersons' Tenure Extended
The Malawi Local Government Association (MALGA) and Centre for Social Accountability (CSAT) have recommended for the extension of tenure of district council chairpersons to two and half, arguing one year is not enough to change things.
Luchenza Municipal Council Takes Court Route on Ground Rates Defaulters
The Luchenza municipal council in Thyolo has resolved to drag to court some ground rate defaulters owing it K32 million.
Umodzi Day Preparations Underway-Govt
The Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture, says preparations are underway to hold the 2023 national cultural celebration called Umodzi Day, aimed at uniting Malawians divided in tribal and political lines.
Communities Raise Hunger Fears in Chikwawa
Some communities in Chikwawa mainly from the areas of Group Village Headmen Masanduko and Mwananjobvu in the district have raised hunger fears indicating the situation has reached worrisome levels in their areas.
ICON Properties PLC Posts K16.7 Billion Profit
A construction company, Icon Properties PLC has announced posting K16.7 billion after tax profit in 2022 with a final total dividend of K1.6 billion to be given to shareholders.
MBC Resumes Entertainers of the Year Awards
Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) says it has re-introduced Entertainers of the Year Annual Awards after a break of 18 years.
Sycamore Drills CDH Investment Bank Staff in Finance Management
Sycamore Consult Limited has trained staff of the CDH Investment Bank on how well they can manage their personal finances.
Eleven People Arrested for Buying Fuel in Jerrycans
By Henderson Charles Msusa
At least eleven people have been arrested for allegedly buying fuel using jerrrycans in Dowa District.
Dowa Police Spokesperson Alice Sitima says people were arrested Saturday August 13, 2023 during a special operation which the law enforcement officers conducted at Dzaleka Refugee Camp in the district.
"During the operation we also managed to confiscate about 70 liters of fuel and 30 empty jerrycans," she said.
Sitima says the suspect, who are of ages between 20 and 47, will appear in court soon.
Recently, Kamuzu Central Hospital complained of increased cases of fire accidents, a development it said is putting a stain on limited resources.
In under two weeks, five have died while three others are nursing injuries, this according to a statement by the hospital.
Government Moves 15 Senior Agriculture Officers
Government has ring changes in some district council's agriculture department moving about 15 senior officers.
In the transfer instruction Zodiak has seen, directors, principals and chief agriculture officers have been moved to other districts.
Local Government Service Commission executive secretary, Berlings Kumpata says there is nothing unusual with the transfers.
"These are just normal transfers in the government," he said.
The transfer of Thyolo Chief Agriculture Officer, Mirriam Kumwenda Ndhlovu has coincide with protests which some agriculture staff made, requesting her immediate transfer over alleged maladministration.
A social and political commentator Victor Chipofya hopes government has followed procedures.
"If procedures in the labour Act were followed, then government is justified. I hope there is no political play, that someone wants to score a political mileage," he said.
Last week, government also transferred some chief and principal environmental health officers in some district councils, including for Thyolo.
Six-Year-Old Boy Dies in a Road Accident
A 6-year-old boy identified as Shadreck Robert was killed in a road accident yesterday morning.
Mulanje Police Spokesperson Sergeant Innocent Moses told Zodiak Online that the boy was hit by a vehicle driven by Alex Mangoni, at Chitakale Tea Plantation in the district, along the Limbe-Muloza road.
"Mangoni was driving a Toyota Ractis registration number NN 6103 from the direction of Muloza heading Chitakale, with five passengers on board and upon arrival at Chitakale Tea Plantation he hit the boy who was crossing the road,' said Moses.
He said Robert sustained multiple head injuries, and fractured ribs on the right side and was rushed to Mulanje District Hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
"We have arrested the driver and charged him," added Moses.
The driver and the passengers in the vehicle were not hurt. The boy hailed from Mangani Village in the area of Traditional Authority Chikumbu in Mulanje District.
Luchenza Bottle Stores, Liquor Shops Operating Without Licenses
It has emerged that a number of bottle stores and liquor shops in Luchenza municipality in Thyolo have been operating without licenses.
The traders attribute this to delays by council authorities to issue the licenses.
Chairperson of Luchenza station executive committee, Philip Nyoni, says for the past four months no license renewals have been taking place, and the committee engaged the municipal council and it attributed this to funding challenges.
"Everyone is now selling beer. Police cannot make arrests because the council itself is to blame," he said.
Speaking to Zodiak Online yesterday, the council's mayor Syze Simeji disputed the assertions, saying it is only a few liquor sellers that are yet to get the licenses.
"Many liquor shops in Luchenza have licenses and if there are some without licenses they are doing this against the law. We have delayed issuing the licences because of some logistical issues," Simeji said.
According to the liquor act, annually, the district and city or municipal councils in the country are required to assess and approve liquor shops and bottle stores before issuing new licenses.
Eight More Suspects Netted Over Chapananga Fracas
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Police in Chikwawa have arrested eight more people for allegedly setting ablaze Chapananga Police Unit and stealing property belonging to police officers stationed at the facility.
District police publicist, Sergeant Dickson Matemba told Zodiak last night that the eight suspects were apprehended during a joint operation conducted by Chikwawa Police and Mitole PMS Officers on the night of August 12th and 13th, 2023.
This brings the total number of netted suspects to 10, as two were arrested on the same day of the incident.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Yesaya Chipangula (20) and David Andrea (22) from Galonga Village, Tafuleni Yonasi (20), Malita Ephraim (49), Ephraim Halmiton (68), and Winnie Majonanga (20) from Mafazika Village, Maria Kelias (18) from Gagatambo Village, and Baziwel Matete (18) from Phwazi Village.They all hail from Traditional Authority Chapananga in Chikwawa District.
Matemba said the suspects are expected to face charges of arson, malicious damage, and theft in court soon.
Meanwhile, investigations are still underway to arrest additional individuals involved and the police are assuring the community that everyone connected to the incident will be held accountable.
Chapananga Police Unit was set ablaze on July 25th, 2023, by irate community members seeking retribution for a murder suspect who was in custody.
The police unit was shut down immediately after the incident, and all the six police officers were transferred to Chikwawa police station after the angry mob ransacked their houses.
Man Commits Suicide in Chiradzulu Over K50, 000 Loan
A 20-year-old man has taken his own life in Chiradzulu after his sister allegedly failed to give him back his K50 thousand she owed him.