NATIONAL NEWS | Zodiak Malawi OnlineZodiak Broadcasting Station. Zikachitika Mumvera kwa Ife. We are here to provide you with Breaking news, sport, TV and radio. To Educate, Inform and to Entertain you wherever you are.https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw-22024-03-28T09:16:59+00:00Joomla! - Open Source Content ManagementMLS Demand Answers On Firing Of AG2021-07-23T05:37:29+00:002021-07-23T05:37:29+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/65-news-in-central-region/3680-mls-demand-answers-on-firing-of-agAlinafe Mlambanyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/4e9a458c4df878b0926151b79ee6c997_XL.jpg" alt="Silungwe (R) fired" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>President of the Malawi Law Society Patrick Mpaka says President Lazarus Chakwera should come out clear on why he has fired Chikosa Silungwe from serving as Attorney General, despite this being a constitutional prerogative.</strong></p>
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<p>President Lazarus Chakwera exercised his constitutional right to fire attorney general Dr. Chikosa Silungwe.</p>
<p>Up to date, the nation is still left in the dark over what could have necessitated the chop. According to the Constitution, an Attorney General can serve at least 5 years and his firing can only come when there is serious evidence of incompetency, compromised performance, or incapacitation.</p>
<p>As things stand, people are still guessing on what among the three above reasons, the president might have considered.</p>
<p>The Malawi Law Society, according to its president Mpaka is also one of the stakeholders that is still in the dark over the reasons why Chakwera has fired Silungwe, of course, Minister of information Gospel Kazako was quoted by other media institutions saying that the president wants to bring a man he can work with.</p>
<p>“As much as it is a constitutional prerogative we deserve to know why the decision was made,” he said.</p>
<p>Political and good governance expert Sheriff Kaisi finds the president's decision not surprising considering what he says, how the sequence of events have been of late, but he fears huge political implications may follow.</p>
<p>“The relationship between the Chilima and Chakwera is also reflected on the number of cabinet officers, with Silungwe gone, UTM has few representatives in the cabinet,” he said.</p>
<p>Dr. Silungwe was Malawi’s 18th Attorney General, he was one of the lead councils for president Chakwera’s vice Dr. Saulos Chilima during the May 2019 presidential elections case.</p>
<p>While the nation may be eager to know the reasons for the AG’s firing, another issue of concern will now be, the issue of the new AG, this is considering how long it is taking for the president to make such decisions. It has taken almost a decade for him to find a replacement for his two cabinet ministers who died of Covid-19, let alone do a single cabinet reshuffle.</p></div><div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/4e9a458c4df878b0926151b79ee6c997_XL.jpg" alt="Silungwe (R) fired" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>President of the Malawi Law Society Patrick Mpaka says President Lazarus Chakwera should come out clear on why he has fired Chikosa Silungwe from serving as Attorney General, despite this being a constitutional prerogative.</strong></p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p>President Lazarus Chakwera exercised his constitutional right to fire attorney general Dr. Chikosa Silungwe.</p>
<p>Up to date, the nation is still left in the dark over what could have necessitated the chop. According to the Constitution, an Attorney General can serve at least 5 years and his firing can only come when there is serious evidence of incompetency, compromised performance, or incapacitation.</p>
<p>As things stand, people are still guessing on what among the three above reasons, the president might have considered.</p>
<p>The Malawi Law Society, according to its president Mpaka is also one of the stakeholders that is still in the dark over the reasons why Chakwera has fired Silungwe, of course, Minister of information Gospel Kazako was quoted by other media institutions saying that the president wants to bring a man he can work with.</p>
<p>“As much as it is a constitutional prerogative we deserve to know why the decision was made,” he said.</p>
<p>Political and good governance expert Sheriff Kaisi finds the president's decision not surprising considering what he says, how the sequence of events have been of late, but he fears huge political implications may follow.</p>
<p>“The relationship between the Chilima and Chakwera is also reflected on the number of cabinet officers, with Silungwe gone, UTM has few representatives in the cabinet,” he said.</p>
<p>Dr. Silungwe was Malawi’s 18th Attorney General, he was one of the lead councils for president Chakwera’s vice Dr. Saulos Chilima during the May 2019 presidential elections case.</p>
<p>While the nation may be eager to know the reasons for the AG’s firing, another issue of concern will now be, the issue of the new AG, this is considering how long it is taking for the president to make such decisions. It has taken almost a decade for him to find a replacement for his two cabinet ministers who died of Covid-19, let alone do a single cabinet reshuffle.</p></div>Immigration Officers Threaten To Halt Operations2021-07-23T05:31:43+00:002021-07-23T05:31:43+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/65-news-in-central-region/3679-immigration-officers-threaten-to-halt-operationsAlinafe Mlambanyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/3e5581a2991d4fd6753f636969e09def_XL.jpg" alt="Immigration Officers Threaten To Halt Operations" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>Officers from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship services have threatened to stop rendering key services if the department will not address their grievances.</strong></p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p>A leaked document addressed to the Director-General of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services, written by the Immigration department concerned staffs which is in our possession, the officers are demanding what they are terming as urgent attention from their bosses, to address their grievances.</p>
<p>On the list of the grievances, the officers are demanding urgent promotion of officers, further alleging that the minister of Homeland Security Richard Chimwendo Banda ordered that Officers from the department, be prompted by 1 July, but this has not happened yet.</p>
<p>Still, on the promotions, the officers are demanding objectivity in the manner in which they are to be carried out, based on academic and professional experience.</p>
<p>Further than that, the officers are also calling for the establishment of an Immigration department service commission and they also want to see an end to what they are calling, unstrategic transferring of officers.</p>
<p>When contacted for a response, the Director-General for the department Hannings Mlotha told Zodiak that the department is yet to get this document.<br />"My office is yet to receive the document," he said.</p>
<p>However, spokesperson for the Department Wellington Chiponde said that the officers should follow relevant channels for addressing their grievances.</p>
<p>"The officers need to understand and follow protocol in which such matters are handled," he said.</p>
<p>The officers have since threatened that they will stop rendering important services such as revenue collection should their demands not be addressed.</p></div><div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/3e5581a2991d4fd6753f636969e09def_XL.jpg" alt="Immigration Officers Threaten To Halt Operations" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>Officers from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship services have threatened to stop rendering key services if the department will not address their grievances.</strong></p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p>A leaked document addressed to the Director-General of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services, written by the Immigration department concerned staffs which is in our possession, the officers are demanding what they are terming as urgent attention from their bosses, to address their grievances.</p>
<p>On the list of the grievances, the officers are demanding urgent promotion of officers, further alleging that the minister of Homeland Security Richard Chimwendo Banda ordered that Officers from the department, be prompted by 1 July, but this has not happened yet.</p>
<p>Still, on the promotions, the officers are demanding objectivity in the manner in which they are to be carried out, based on academic and professional experience.</p>
<p>Further than that, the officers are also calling for the establishment of an Immigration department service commission and they also want to see an end to what they are calling, unstrategic transferring of officers.</p>
<p>When contacted for a response, the Director-General for the department Hannings Mlotha told Zodiak that the department is yet to get this document.<br />"My office is yet to receive the document," he said.</p>
<p>However, spokesperson for the Department Wellington Chiponde said that the officers should follow relevant channels for addressing their grievances.</p>
<p>"The officers need to understand and follow protocol in which such matters are handled," he said.</p>
<p>The officers have since threatened that they will stop rendering important services such as revenue collection should their demands not be addressed.</p></div>Local Tourists Hope For Malawi's Tourism Sector2021-07-22T06:23:08+00:002021-07-22T06:23:08+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/64-news-in-northern-region/3678-local-tourists-hope-malawi-s-tourism-sectorTowera Kumwendanyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>The Ministry of Tourism has advised Malawians to embrace local domestic tourism following a drop in foreign tourists due to the Covid-19 pandemic.</strong></p>
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<p>Regional Tourism Officer for the north, Japhet Kuweluza says the drop has resulted in at least 35 thousand people losing employment in countries sector.</p>
<p>`‘We are training and promoting local tourism, because we know that, COVID-19 will still be around. With this, we believe more domestic tourists will starting appreciating the local sites that would be safe from the pandemic.</p>
<p>About 154 business operators have been targeted.</p>
<p>The impact of Covid- 19 on the sector has also forced operators to reduce rates for their sites making them affordable for locals and this is according to Nkhakar Lodge, Manager Abron Soko.</p>
<p>‘`Rooms occupation were reaching 80 percent. But with the pandemic, it is at zero percent. What it means is, the rooms that we were charging K26, 000 are now at K5, 000“, says Soko.</p>
<p>Tour guides are amongst the tourism resource that has been hit hard. </p>
<p>Davie Kondowe from Nkhatabay indicates that they depend much on foreign tourists, but since the figures have dropped, life is now tough for them. </p>
<p>Complained Kondowe, `` I am failing to pay my workers. I have closed some of the shops since foreign tourists who give us business since they are not coming due to the pandemic.</p>
<p>Some of the tourist attraction spots in the north include the beaches of Lake Malawi, Vwaza game reserve, Nyika national park both in Rumphi to mention but a few.</p></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>The Ministry of Tourism has advised Malawians to embrace local domestic tourism following a drop in foreign tourists due to the Covid-19 pandemic.</strong></p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p>Regional Tourism Officer for the north, Japhet Kuweluza says the drop has resulted in at least 35 thousand people losing employment in countries sector.</p>
<p>`‘We are training and promoting local tourism, because we know that, COVID-19 will still be around. With this, we believe more domestic tourists will starting appreciating the local sites that would be safe from the pandemic.</p>
<p>About 154 business operators have been targeted.</p>
<p>The impact of Covid- 19 on the sector has also forced operators to reduce rates for their sites making them affordable for locals and this is according to Nkhakar Lodge, Manager Abron Soko.</p>
<p>‘`Rooms occupation were reaching 80 percent. But with the pandemic, it is at zero percent. What it means is, the rooms that we were charging K26, 000 are now at K5, 000“, says Soko.</p>
<p>Tour guides are amongst the tourism resource that has been hit hard. </p>
<p>Davie Kondowe from Nkhatabay indicates that they depend much on foreign tourists, but since the figures have dropped, life is now tough for them. </p>
<p>Complained Kondowe, `` I am failing to pay my workers. I have closed some of the shops since foreign tourists who give us business since they are not coming due to the pandemic.</p>
<p>Some of the tourist attraction spots in the north include the beaches of Lake Malawi, Vwaza game reserve, Nyika national park both in Rumphi to mention but a few.</p></div>CHRR Advocates For Open Contracting in Public Procurement2021-07-21T13:14:46+00:002021-07-21T13:14:46+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/65-news-in-central-region/3677-chrr-advocates-for-open-contracting-in-public-procurementJoseph Mazizinyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/39424dd193c06956004f95ae14d0f359_XL.jpg" alt="Baduya making a presentation" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation CHRR says there is a growing need for stakeholders to raise awareness on procurement procedures by public procurement entities if suspicion of corrupt practices in public procurement is to be curtailed.</strong></p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p>This is according to CHRR’s Programme Officer Charles Baduya who was speaking Tuesday in Salima during an interface, meeting with different stakeholders, saying members of the public are mostly denied access to information regarding bids and contracts favoring a few...</p>
<p>"We observed through a survey that was conducted between 2018 to 2019 that members of the public are still failing to find access to information in regard to procurement contracts by public procuring entities which raises suspicion of corruption," Baduya said.</p>
<p>He says now with Access to Information law in place, it is imperative for authorities to start operating in a transparent manner and giving equal opportunities to all on bidding and awarding of contracts.</p>
<p>A representative of the business community in Salima Sakina Salimu Chingomanje says most citizens are not aware of the procurement processes in councils which in return denies them access to compete for contracts.</p>
<p>"There is a huge information gap and we are worried, for example recently, the council hired people to supply masks in the free masks distribution initiative most of us were not aware we just heard that contracts have been given to people," said Chingomanje.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Director of Administration for Salima District Council Shupikai Nyirenda believes public awareness on public procurement procedures is critical.</p>
<p>"This is a good intervention by CHRR, it will also help us on our part to clear out misconception and negative attitudes towards the council, there is indeed a need for people to understand the procurement processes," she said.</p>
<p>The project by CHRR with support from William and Flora Hewlett through Africa Freedom of Information Centre AFIC will be implemented in Lilongwe and Salima to run for three years aimed at empowering citizens to question authorities on contracts and procurement.</p></div><div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/39424dd193c06956004f95ae14d0f359_XL.jpg" alt="Baduya making a presentation" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation CHRR says there is a growing need for stakeholders to raise awareness on procurement procedures by public procurement entities if suspicion of corrupt practices in public procurement is to be curtailed.</strong></p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p>This is according to CHRR’s Programme Officer Charles Baduya who was speaking Tuesday in Salima during an interface, meeting with different stakeholders, saying members of the public are mostly denied access to information regarding bids and contracts favoring a few...</p>
<p>"We observed through a survey that was conducted between 2018 to 2019 that members of the public are still failing to find access to information in regard to procurement contracts by public procuring entities which raises suspicion of corruption," Baduya said.</p>
<p>He says now with Access to Information law in place, it is imperative for authorities to start operating in a transparent manner and giving equal opportunities to all on bidding and awarding of contracts.</p>
<p>A representative of the business community in Salima Sakina Salimu Chingomanje says most citizens are not aware of the procurement processes in councils which in return denies them access to compete for contracts.</p>
<p>"There is a huge information gap and we are worried, for example recently, the council hired people to supply masks in the free masks distribution initiative most of us were not aware we just heard that contracts have been given to people," said Chingomanje.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Director of Administration for Salima District Council Shupikai Nyirenda believes public awareness on public procurement procedures is critical.</p>
<p>"This is a good intervention by CHRR, it will also help us on our part to clear out misconception and negative attitudes towards the council, there is indeed a need for people to understand the procurement processes," she said.</p>
<p>The project by CHRR with support from William and Flora Hewlett through Africa Freedom of Information Centre AFIC will be implemented in Lilongwe and Salima to run for three years aimed at empowering citizens to question authorities on contracts and procurement.</p></div>Faith, Abortion and Women’s choices2021-07-21T13:05:01+00:002021-07-21T13:05:01+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/uncensored/60-uncensored/3676-faith-abortion-and-women-s-choicesOnline Journalistnyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;">Today, we have different denominations, ministries, and sects for various reasons because religious scholars interpret sacred texts differently. The differences in interpretation emerge because sacred books such as the Bible in Christianity, the Quran in Islam, Talmud and Torah in Judaism, were written a long time ago.</p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p style="text-align: justify;"><img class="pull-left" src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/images/Malawi-Abortion-Infographic.png" alt="" width="578" height="482" hspace="10px" />Most scholars use two approaches to understand the scriptures. One method is called Exegesis, a methodology of determining what the writer of a particular text meant to convey. The other approach is hermeneutics, which is the study of the principles and methods of interpreting the text of the Bible, emphasizing a literal translation.<br />Many differences amongst believers hinge on the approaches used in the interpretation of the word of God.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">When, for example, Paul writes to the Church in Corinth: "It is shameful for a woman to speak in church. What I am writing to you is a command of the Lord" (1 Cor 14.34f). Churches that take this literally do not allow female clerics to minister in churches. However, those who look at this verse by comparing it with other verses where women played crucial roles allow female pastors to be ordained and minister in churches.<br />There are many verses in the Bible that one needs to study carefully before jumping to a conclusion. One area that needs careful study is that of sexual and reproductive health.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The story of our Lord Jesus Christ and the woman caught in adultery in John 8:1-11 offers great lessons in compassion, love and forgiveness when dealing with sex, sexuality and even reproduction.<br />I know the Bible does not mention the word abortion. However, the Bible speaks to the issue, with the most apparent passage being Exodus 21:22-25. The Bible explains the case of a pregnant woman who becomes caught up in a fight between two men and ends up having a miscarriage.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The Bible distinguishes the penalty for the loss of the fetus and injury to the woman. For the loss of the fetus, the punishment is just a fine (sum of money) determined by the husband and the judges. However, if the woman is injured or dies, "lex talionis" is applied, life for life (death sentence).</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The story makes a distinction between the woman and the fetus. The Scriptures value a woman as a person and the fetus as property. The status of the fetus is undoubtedly inferior to that of the woman. This passage gives no support to the parity argument that gives equal religious and moral worth to women and fetuses. <br />In various texts of the Scriptures, the biblical portrait of a person - does not begin with an explanation of conception. Instead, it begins with a portrayal of the creation of Adam and Eve. Thus, the biblical portrait of a person is that of a complex, many-sided creature with the God-like ability and responsibility to make choices.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The different approaches in interpreting sacred texts also emerge when people debate sexual and reproductive health and rights issues. For example, some churches allow their members to make free choices if they want to access contraceptives (family planning methods) and abortion services, while others prohibit them from accessing such services.<br />If you ask me whether a 13-year-old girl who gets pregnant after being raped should be allowed to terminate her pregnancy, my response is that people should respect the decision she and her parents or guardians make. <br />Having read the proposed Termination of Pregnancy Bill, I still do not understand why others are up in arms.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The first fact it stresses is that access to abortion in Malawi will remain illegal but will only be allowed to save the lives of pregnant women when in danger and pregnancies resulting from rape, incest, defilement, and instances of fetal abnormalities.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Surely, when we say every life is sacred, we should realise that even the life of a pregnant woman who, if forced to carry the pregnancy to term, will die is also holy.<br />The fact that 439 out of every 100,000 women die of pregnancy-related causes should worry us all. Therefore, I believe we should all join hands with the government in its efforts to reduce maternal deaths by preaching about abstinence, contraceptive use, the need for women to deliver at the hospitals and the need for the government to make policies and enact laws that can reduce maternal deaths including those contributed by unsafe abortions.<br />Dignity, bodily integrity, equality and reproductive health of church members are rights that even pastors should respect.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">That’s my opinion. And what’s your opinion?</p>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>Should churches prohibit women pastors from ministering in congregations in line with 1 Corinthians 14.34?</li>
<li>Should religious leaders stop women and girls from accessing contraceptives (family planning methods) just because the Bible in Genesis 22:17 says I will multiply your seed greatly like the stars of the heavens, and like the sand which is on the seashore?</li>
<li>Should we have laws that prohibit raped women and girls even those who do not share your religious beliefs from accessing safe abortion services in hospitals?</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>This article is produced by Centre for Solutions Journalism, a human rights media organisation. Please fill free to share your views but in case you have an opinion that is 500 to 700 words long, please email it to Centre for Solutions Journalism by email </em>:</strong> <a href="https://zodiakmalawi.com/#">editor794@gmail.com</a></p></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;">Today, we have different denominations, ministries, and sects for various reasons because religious scholars interpret sacred texts differently. The differences in interpretation emerge because sacred books such as the Bible in Christianity, the Quran in Islam, Talmud and Torah in Judaism, were written a long time ago.</p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p style="text-align: justify;"><img class="pull-left" src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/images/Malawi-Abortion-Infographic.png" alt="" width="578" height="482" hspace="10px" />Most scholars use two approaches to understand the scriptures. One method is called Exegesis, a methodology of determining what the writer of a particular text meant to convey. The other approach is hermeneutics, which is the study of the principles and methods of interpreting the text of the Bible, emphasizing a literal translation.<br />Many differences amongst believers hinge on the approaches used in the interpretation of the word of God.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">When, for example, Paul writes to the Church in Corinth: "It is shameful for a woman to speak in church. What I am writing to you is a command of the Lord" (1 Cor 14.34f). Churches that take this literally do not allow female clerics to minister in churches. However, those who look at this verse by comparing it with other verses where women played crucial roles allow female pastors to be ordained and minister in churches.<br />There are many verses in the Bible that one needs to study carefully before jumping to a conclusion. One area that needs careful study is that of sexual and reproductive health.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The story of our Lord Jesus Christ and the woman caught in adultery in John 8:1-11 offers great lessons in compassion, love and forgiveness when dealing with sex, sexuality and even reproduction.<br />I know the Bible does not mention the word abortion. However, the Bible speaks to the issue, with the most apparent passage being Exodus 21:22-25. The Bible explains the case of a pregnant woman who becomes caught up in a fight between two men and ends up having a miscarriage.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The Bible distinguishes the penalty for the loss of the fetus and injury to the woman. For the loss of the fetus, the punishment is just a fine (sum of money) determined by the husband and the judges. However, if the woman is injured or dies, "lex talionis" is applied, life for life (death sentence).</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The story makes a distinction between the woman and the fetus. The Scriptures value a woman as a person and the fetus as property. The status of the fetus is undoubtedly inferior to that of the woman. This passage gives no support to the parity argument that gives equal religious and moral worth to women and fetuses. <br />In various texts of the Scriptures, the biblical portrait of a person - does not begin with an explanation of conception. Instead, it begins with a portrayal of the creation of Adam and Eve. Thus, the biblical portrait of a person is that of a complex, many-sided creature with the God-like ability and responsibility to make choices.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The different approaches in interpreting sacred texts also emerge when people debate sexual and reproductive health and rights issues. For example, some churches allow their members to make free choices if they want to access contraceptives (family planning methods) and abortion services, while others prohibit them from accessing such services.<br />If you ask me whether a 13-year-old girl who gets pregnant after being raped should be allowed to terminate her pregnancy, my response is that people should respect the decision she and her parents or guardians make. <br />Having read the proposed Termination of Pregnancy Bill, I still do not understand why others are up in arms.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The first fact it stresses is that access to abortion in Malawi will remain illegal but will only be allowed to save the lives of pregnant women when in danger and pregnancies resulting from rape, incest, defilement, and instances of fetal abnormalities.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Surely, when we say every life is sacred, we should realise that even the life of a pregnant woman who, if forced to carry the pregnancy to term, will die is also holy.<br />The fact that 439 out of every 100,000 women die of pregnancy-related causes should worry us all. Therefore, I believe we should all join hands with the government in its efforts to reduce maternal deaths by preaching about abstinence, contraceptive use, the need for women to deliver at the hospitals and the need for the government to make policies and enact laws that can reduce maternal deaths including those contributed by unsafe abortions.<br />Dignity, bodily integrity, equality and reproductive health of church members are rights that even pastors should respect.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">That’s my opinion. And what’s your opinion?</p>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>Should churches prohibit women pastors from ministering in congregations in line with 1 Corinthians 14.34?</li>
<li>Should religious leaders stop women and girls from accessing contraceptives (family planning methods) just because the Bible in Genesis 22:17 says I will multiply your seed greatly like the stars of the heavens, and like the sand which is on the seashore?</li>
<li>Should we have laws that prohibit raped women and girls even those who do not share your religious beliefs from accessing safe abortion services in hospitals?</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>This article is produced by Centre for Solutions Journalism, a human rights media organisation. Please fill free to share your views but in case you have an opinion that is 500 to 700 words long, please email it to Centre for Solutions Journalism by email </em>:</strong> <a href="https://zodiakmalawi.com/#">editor794@gmail.com</a></p></div>Illovo Sugar Ventures Into Covid-19 Community Involvement Program2021-07-21T06:27:26+00:002021-07-21T06:27:26+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/65-news-in-central-region/3675-illovo-sugar-tips-stakeholders-on-covid-19-fightChristina Chiwothanyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/5e21d3cfd9bcc0db13ae5da246518d87_XL.jpg" alt="Katandula; Working together is key in preventing rapid spread of Covid-19" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>Illovo Sugar Malawi has tipped stakeholders in the fight against Covid-19 to always assess challenges communities are facing and provide feedback if the country is to win the fight.</strong></p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p>The company believes that the approach will also help the community to fully own Covid-19 initiatives implemented in their areas and deal with myths surrounding the pandemic.</p>
<p>Illovo Sugar Malawi Managing Director, Lekani Katandula said “We believe that if we work together with the communities we will help in preventing the rapid spread of COVID-19 through a co-creation process that allows for the community leadership to take ownership of the initiatives uniquely relevant to their needs in addressing behavioral change.”</p>
<p>The remarks come as the company has ventured into a Covid-19 community intervention project worth 75 million kwacha in two districts of Dwangwa and Nchalo.</p>
<p>Community leaders, School committees, religious leaders, and health surveillance assistants are expected to spearhead the project.</p>
<p>Katandula further said “As a business, we believe that for us to succeed we need the communities we operate in to be safe and healthy.</p>
<p>COVID-19 possess a detrimental risk to the lives of not only our employees and their families but also the communities around us.”</p>
<p>As of 20 July, the country had recorded 867 new Covid-19 cases and 11 new deaths.</p></div><div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/5e21d3cfd9bcc0db13ae5da246518d87_XL.jpg" alt="Katandula; Working together is key in preventing rapid spread of Covid-19" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>Illovo Sugar Malawi has tipped stakeholders in the fight against Covid-19 to always assess challenges communities are facing and provide feedback if the country is to win the fight.</strong></p>
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<p>The company believes that the approach will also help the community to fully own Covid-19 initiatives implemented in their areas and deal with myths surrounding the pandemic.</p>
<p>Illovo Sugar Malawi Managing Director, Lekani Katandula said “We believe that if we work together with the communities we will help in preventing the rapid spread of COVID-19 through a co-creation process that allows for the community leadership to take ownership of the initiatives uniquely relevant to their needs in addressing behavioral change.”</p>
<p>The remarks come as the company has ventured into a Covid-19 community intervention project worth 75 million kwacha in two districts of Dwangwa and Nchalo.</p>
<p>Community leaders, School committees, religious leaders, and health surveillance assistants are expected to spearhead the project.</p>
<p>Katandula further said “As a business, we believe that for us to succeed we need the communities we operate in to be safe and healthy.</p>
<p>COVID-19 possess a detrimental risk to the lives of not only our employees and their families but also the communities around us.”</p>
<p>As of 20 July, the country had recorded 867 new Covid-19 cases and 11 new deaths.</p></div>Maula Prison In Covid-19 SOS2021-07-21T06:07:50+00:002021-07-21T06:07:50+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/65-news-in-central-region/3674-maula-prison-in-a-covid-19-sosWestern Gutanyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/301a9b2311a9acc4c285b55c666d6efc_XL.jpg" alt="Khembo-Nwosu (in blue); We need to keep the prisoners safe" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>Maula Prison in Lilongwe has appealed for assistance from well-wishers to cater for 106 inmates that tested positive to Covid-19, as well as five members and staff and relations that have also been infected.</strong></p>
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<p>A visit to the facility has revealed that the inmates do not have masks, with the lone clinical officer of its isolation section Inspector Edward Nyirenda saying that with a population of more than 2 thousand, the prison needs as much assistance as can be found.</p>
<p>Last year, Maula Prison transferred to other prisons in the Central Region, female inmates to accommodate those that tested positive to Covid-19, and now the facility is holding 106 positive inmates from different prisons in the region.</p>
<p>Nyirenda says the facility needs enough assistance including disinfectants, masks, and sanitizers so that all the inmates are safe.</p>
<p>He said that so far, five officers are in isolation with some of their members of staff, signifying how unsafe inmates can be if there is inadequate or no materials.</p>
<p>“We have 106 Covid-19 positive inmates at our isolation section. Our facility holds prison and police cases across the Central Region. We are currently on mass testing to combat the pandemic, but we need adequate materials, masks, and sanitizers to contain it,” said Nyirenda.</p>
<p>He added, “The challenge is that as you have heard that we have 106 cases, they are all managed by only one person, me. Imagine only one health officer! Worse, there is no risk allowance.”</p>
<p>Executive Director of a local NGO which we found donating disinfectants Pamudzi Health Support Network Lynda Khembo-Nwosu concurred with Nyirenda that every day, the prison receives people that have been sentenced, hence the need to assist.</p>
<p>“We noted that every single day, people are convicted and committed to Maula Prison, sometimes remanded. These have the potential to spread the disease to the inmates who are safe here because they may not go out. And this is the reason we decided to bring these disinfectants, so that the whole place from the isolation section to the cells, are all disinfected, to keep the prisoners safe,” said Khembo-Nwosu.</p>
<p>According to Khembo-Nwosu, Pamudzi Health Support Network is making similar donations in other prisons like Mzinda and is on public sensitization on how to deal with the pandemic.</p>
<p>When we visited Maula Prison, we found that the inmates did not even have masks on, and had 106 Covid-19 Positive inmates, out of 7,146 active cases in the country.</p>
<p> </p></div><div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/301a9b2311a9acc4c285b55c666d6efc_XL.jpg" alt="Khembo-Nwosu (in blue); We need to keep the prisoners safe" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>Maula Prison in Lilongwe has appealed for assistance from well-wishers to cater for 106 inmates that tested positive to Covid-19, as well as five members and staff and relations that have also been infected.</strong></p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p>A visit to the facility has revealed that the inmates do not have masks, with the lone clinical officer of its isolation section Inspector Edward Nyirenda saying that with a population of more than 2 thousand, the prison needs as much assistance as can be found.</p>
<p>Last year, Maula Prison transferred to other prisons in the Central Region, female inmates to accommodate those that tested positive to Covid-19, and now the facility is holding 106 positive inmates from different prisons in the region.</p>
<p>Nyirenda says the facility needs enough assistance including disinfectants, masks, and sanitizers so that all the inmates are safe.</p>
<p>He said that so far, five officers are in isolation with some of their members of staff, signifying how unsafe inmates can be if there is inadequate or no materials.</p>
<p>“We have 106 Covid-19 positive inmates at our isolation section. Our facility holds prison and police cases across the Central Region. We are currently on mass testing to combat the pandemic, but we need adequate materials, masks, and sanitizers to contain it,” said Nyirenda.</p>
<p>He added, “The challenge is that as you have heard that we have 106 cases, they are all managed by only one person, me. Imagine only one health officer! Worse, there is no risk allowance.”</p>
<p>Executive Director of a local NGO which we found donating disinfectants Pamudzi Health Support Network Lynda Khembo-Nwosu concurred with Nyirenda that every day, the prison receives people that have been sentenced, hence the need to assist.</p>
<p>“We noted that every single day, people are convicted and committed to Maula Prison, sometimes remanded. These have the potential to spread the disease to the inmates who are safe here because they may not go out. And this is the reason we decided to bring these disinfectants, so that the whole place from the isolation section to the cells, are all disinfected, to keep the prisoners safe,” said Khembo-Nwosu.</p>
<p>According to Khembo-Nwosu, Pamudzi Health Support Network is making similar donations in other prisons like Mzinda and is on public sensitization on how to deal with the pandemic.</p>
<p>When we visited Maula Prison, we found that the inmates did not even have masks on, and had 106 Covid-19 Positive inmates, out of 7,146 active cases in the country.</p>
<p> </p></div>NGO - GCN Tackles GBV in Mzimba Through Women2021-07-20T05:29:11+00:002021-07-20T05:29:11+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/64-news-in-northern-region/3673-ngo-gcn-tackles-gbv-in-mzimba-through-womenVanani Nyirendanyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/7becad0513fa168344c9f1efebd84e3f_XL.jpg" alt="Philipina Mzumala "women forums are doing their best to end gender based violence"" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>Non-Governmental Organization - Gender Coordination Network - NGO - GCN has hailed the formation of women forums saying they are crucial in the fight against gender-based violence perpetrated against women and girls in the country.</strong></p>
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<p>Speaking in Mzimba one of the NGO - GCN member, Angel Limbani said women and girls in the country still face various forms of violence that include emotional, physical, and sexual abuses.</p>
<p>Limbani made the remarks in the area of Inkosi Chindi in Mzimba where the network facilitated discussions among women movement members.</p>
<p>She observed that women in the area are being deprived of their conjugal rights which she described as another form of violence that needs addressing as it leaves the victim emotionally affected.</p>
<p>"The women movement groups or forums are very crucial as they offer women a platform they can use to discuss ways of how they can end gender-based violence", Said Limbani.</p>
<p>Limbani said they expect the women from the forums to act as channels of change in their communities where they can teach them and advocate on what constitutes GBV and how victims can seek address.</p>
<p>Secretary for the district women movement Philipina Mzumala said through the women forums formed through facilitation of NGO gender coordination network they are working closely with male champions and traditional leaders to end gender-based violence.</p>
<p>" As women forums, we trying our best to end gender-based violence because women and girls continue to face violence like in this area a lot of young women are being divorced over trivial reasons, left with children with no support at all", said Mzumala.</p>
<p>Mzumala said the area has also been seeing a rise in defilement and rape cases where the victim is left traumatized for the rest of their lives.</p>
<p>"But now through the project being implemented by NGO gender coordination network things are changing there has been a lot of awareness campaigns and the women forums are making a difference", said Mzumala.</p>
<p>NGO Gender Coordination Network is implementing the Women movement amplify project to end gender-based violence among women and girls in six districts in the country under the Spotlight Initiative with funding from the European Union through UN women.</p>
<p> </p></div><div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/7becad0513fa168344c9f1efebd84e3f_XL.jpg" alt="Philipina Mzumala "women forums are doing their best to end gender based violence"" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>Non-Governmental Organization - Gender Coordination Network - NGO - GCN has hailed the formation of women forums saying they are crucial in the fight against gender-based violence perpetrated against women and girls in the country.</strong></p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p>Speaking in Mzimba one of the NGO - GCN member, Angel Limbani said women and girls in the country still face various forms of violence that include emotional, physical, and sexual abuses.</p>
<p>Limbani made the remarks in the area of Inkosi Chindi in Mzimba where the network facilitated discussions among women movement members.</p>
<p>She observed that women in the area are being deprived of their conjugal rights which she described as another form of violence that needs addressing as it leaves the victim emotionally affected.</p>
<p>"The women movement groups or forums are very crucial as they offer women a platform they can use to discuss ways of how they can end gender-based violence", Said Limbani.</p>
<p>Limbani said they expect the women from the forums to act as channels of change in their communities where they can teach them and advocate on what constitutes GBV and how victims can seek address.</p>
<p>Secretary for the district women movement Philipina Mzumala said through the women forums formed through facilitation of NGO gender coordination network they are working closely with male champions and traditional leaders to end gender-based violence.</p>
<p>" As women forums, we trying our best to end gender-based violence because women and girls continue to face violence like in this area a lot of young women are being divorced over trivial reasons, left with children with no support at all", said Mzumala.</p>
<p>Mzumala said the area has also been seeing a rise in defilement and rape cases where the victim is left traumatized for the rest of their lives.</p>
<p>"But now through the project being implemented by NGO gender coordination network things are changing there has been a lot of awareness campaigns and the women forums are making a difference", said Mzumala.</p>
<p>NGO Gender Coordination Network is implementing the Women movement amplify project to end gender-based violence among women and girls in six districts in the country under the Spotlight Initiative with funding from the European Union through UN women.</p>
<p> </p></div>CFTC Slap 20 Companies With A Sum Of MK11 Million2021-07-19T11:52:04+00:002021-07-19T11:52:04+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/65-news-in-central-region/3672-cftc-slap-20-companies-with-a-sum-of-mk11-millionAndrew Vianonyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/6e8a8220942a09fdc200f6e51e545a6c_XL.jpg" alt="CFTC Slap 20 Companies With A Sum Of MK11 Million" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>According to the Competition and Fair-Trading Commission (CFTC), 61 companies were investigated on allegations that they were involved in unfair trading practices.</strong></p>
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<p>Out of the 61, 20 have been found guilty and fined K500,000 each while others had varied fines and some had their cases dismissed.</p>
<p>The companies that have been fined include First Capital Bank, Kulima Gold, Castel Malawi, Speedy Foods, Blantyre Diary, Capital Foods Limited, Agora Limited, Malawi Fertilizer Company, Lime Co, Maula Pharmacy, D&T Fabrics, Dimakis Chicken Limited, Zoona Transaction Limited among others.</p>
<p>CFTC Acting Executive Director Apoche Itimu says they will continue upholding the rights of consumers.</p>
<p>“We are guided by archaic laws that need to be reviewed. The laws were implemented in the 1990s when a maximum charge of K500, 000 was indeed deterrent but not now,” said Itimu</p>
<p>On overpricing of cooking oil, Itimu says the commission will make its findings public in August.</p>
<p>“We will submit the outcome of our investigations to the Board of the Commission this August and later make them public to Malawians” added Itimu</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Consumers Association of Malawi CAMA Executive Director John Kapito says the findings are only a tip of an iceberg in as far violation of consumer rights is concerned</p>
<p>“Of late banks have had punitive deductions that inflict rights of Malawian consumers. This needs to be investigated outright and protect Malawians,” said Kapito.</p>
<p>CFTC was constituted by an act of Parliament to regulate, monitor, control, prevent acts or behaviors which are likely to adversely affect competition and fair trading.</p></div><div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/6e8a8220942a09fdc200f6e51e545a6c_XL.jpg" alt="CFTC Slap 20 Companies With A Sum Of MK11 Million" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>According to the Competition and Fair-Trading Commission (CFTC), 61 companies were investigated on allegations that they were involved in unfair trading practices.</strong></p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p>Out of the 61, 20 have been found guilty and fined K500,000 each while others had varied fines and some had their cases dismissed.</p>
<p>The companies that have been fined include First Capital Bank, Kulima Gold, Castel Malawi, Speedy Foods, Blantyre Diary, Capital Foods Limited, Agora Limited, Malawi Fertilizer Company, Lime Co, Maula Pharmacy, D&T Fabrics, Dimakis Chicken Limited, Zoona Transaction Limited among others.</p>
<p>CFTC Acting Executive Director Apoche Itimu says they will continue upholding the rights of consumers.</p>
<p>“We are guided by archaic laws that need to be reviewed. The laws were implemented in the 1990s when a maximum charge of K500, 000 was indeed deterrent but not now,” said Itimu</p>
<p>On overpricing of cooking oil, Itimu says the commission will make its findings public in August.</p>
<p>“We will submit the outcome of our investigations to the Board of the Commission this August and later make them public to Malawians” added Itimu</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Consumers Association of Malawi CAMA Executive Director John Kapito says the findings are only a tip of an iceberg in as far violation of consumer rights is concerned</p>
<p>“Of late banks have had punitive deductions that inflict rights of Malawian consumers. This needs to be investigated outright and protect Malawians,” said Kapito.</p>
<p>CFTC was constituted by an act of Parliament to regulate, monitor, control, prevent acts or behaviors which are likely to adversely affect competition and fair trading.</p></div>Oxfam Malawi and Misa Malawi for More Awareness on ATI Law2021-07-17T02:07:45+00:002021-07-17T02:07:45+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/64-news-in-northern-region/3671-oxfam-malawi-and-misa-malawi-for-more-awareness-on-ati-lawSteve Zimbanyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>Oxfam in Malawi has partnered with MISA Malawi to popularise the Access to Information Law which came in operation in September 2020.</strong></p>
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<p>Governance Program Manager at Oxfam in Malawi, Mathias Kafunda says the partnership will see Journalists who will have written stories with impact on the law awarded during the Misa Malawi Gala awards of 2021.</p>
<p> ``The feeling is that most people do not know about this legislation. We have noted that most Malawians think the law is only for journalists and other media practitioners”, says Kafunda.</p>
<p>He added that we want Malawians to take part in promoting and achieving good governance in the country.</p>
<p>Oxfam has also joined forces with Youth and Society and the Malawi Human Rights Commission to popularising the law. </p>
<p>Since 2019, Oxfam in Malawi has been supporting MISA Malawi with two awards; The Health Governance Award and the Anti - Corruption Award. </p>
<p>MISA Malawi Chairperson, Teresa Ndanga has noted that the initiative will boost quality reporting of Access to Information law.</p>
<p> Noted Ndanga, ``MISA Malawi is acknowledging the gesture by Oxfam in Malawi. WIth quality and responsible reporting, we are sure that more people will know more about law and how to use it.</p>
<p> <span style="font-family: 'calibri light', sans-serif;">President Lazarus Chakwera assented to the Access to Information Bill in September last year which will among others enable journalists, media practitioners, and citizens to have easy access to information from various public and private institutions.</span></p></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>Oxfam in Malawi has partnered with MISA Malawi to popularise the Access to Information Law which came in operation in September 2020.</strong></p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p>Governance Program Manager at Oxfam in Malawi, Mathias Kafunda says the partnership will see Journalists who will have written stories with impact on the law awarded during the Misa Malawi Gala awards of 2021.</p>
<p> ``The feeling is that most people do not know about this legislation. We have noted that most Malawians think the law is only for journalists and other media practitioners”, says Kafunda.</p>
<p>He added that we want Malawians to take part in promoting and achieving good governance in the country.</p>
<p>Oxfam has also joined forces with Youth and Society and the Malawi Human Rights Commission to popularising the law. </p>
<p>Since 2019, Oxfam in Malawi has been supporting MISA Malawi with two awards; The Health Governance Award and the Anti - Corruption Award. </p>
<p>MISA Malawi Chairperson, Teresa Ndanga has noted that the initiative will boost quality reporting of Access to Information law.</p>
<p> Noted Ndanga, ``MISA Malawi is acknowledging the gesture by Oxfam in Malawi. WIth quality and responsible reporting, we are sure that more people will know more about law and how to use it.</p>
<p> <span style="font-family: 'calibri light', sans-serif;">President Lazarus Chakwera assented to the Access to Information Bill in September last year which will among others enable journalists, media practitioners, and citizens to have easy access to information from various public and private institutions.</span></p></div>