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-22024-03-28T09:51:13+00:00Joomla! - Open Source Content ManagementRay of Hope for Sugarcane Growers In Salima2021-07-10T17:53:17+00:002021-07-10T17:53:17+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/65-news-in-central-region/3652-ray-of-hope-for-sugarcane-growers-in-salimaJoseph Mazizinyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/db179573d2c6df77acd179d6105d6700_XL.jpg" alt="A Truck Offloading Sugarcane at the Factory" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>Sugarcane growers selling their cane to Salima Sugar Company can this year at least afford a smile as the company has committed to buying 30,000 metric tonnes of Sugarcane as compared to 10,000 metric tonnes last year and fifteen thousand metric tonnes from small scale and medium scale farmers within the company estate.</strong></p>
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<p>This according to one of the Directors Bruhat Betgri, has been arrived at after discussions with the cane growers association and government and has also this year slightly adjusted upwards the buying price.</p>
<p>The company opened its factory this season on 29th June delayed with over a month due to Covid 19 as some workers were found Covid 19 positive and now are all well.</p>
<p>"We are progressing well, we have started producing, we have had discussions with farmer association that we have agreed to buy at least thirty thousand metric tonnes from the out-growers and we are expecting to produce over twenty thousand metric tonnes of Sugar this year," said Betgiri.<br /> <br />He added that downsizing of the number of expatriates this year will have an impact on production saying they wanted to bring in at least seventy eight but government allowed only forty exerting pressure on them looking at how complicated the machines are.</p>
<p>However, while commending the company for the commitment and early purchasing of cane from out-growers a representative of farmers in the task force between, government, the company, and farmers, Noel Mateyu says they will still have a deficit of 30, 000 metric tonnes of Sugarcane.</p>
<p>Mateyo says there is also an improvement in terms of time saying last year they started supplying cane very late but this year just a week after opening they have already started supplying cane.</p>
<p>"The company has to improve on the prices, they are buying at 27,000 kwacha per tonne slightly higher from last year but it is still on a lower side considering the expenses farmers are incurring with price hikes of most things," Mateyo said.</p>
<p>The Salima Sugar Company in its sixth year of production is the second sugar Producer in the Country after Illovo, creating competition on the market which is believed to be beneficial to the consumer.</p>
<p> </p></div><div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/db179573d2c6df77acd179d6105d6700_XL.jpg" alt="A Truck Offloading Sugarcane at the Factory" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>Sugarcane growers selling their cane to Salima Sugar Company can this year at least afford a smile as the company has committed to buying 30,000 metric tonnes of Sugarcane as compared to 10,000 metric tonnes last year and fifteen thousand metric tonnes from small scale and medium scale farmers within the company estate.</strong></p>
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<p>This according to one of the Directors Bruhat Betgri, has been arrived at after discussions with the cane growers association and government and has also this year slightly adjusted upwards the buying price.</p>
<p>The company opened its factory this season on 29th June delayed with over a month due to Covid 19 as some workers were found Covid 19 positive and now are all well.</p>
<p>"We are progressing well, we have started producing, we have had discussions with farmer association that we have agreed to buy at least thirty thousand metric tonnes from the out-growers and we are expecting to produce over twenty thousand metric tonnes of Sugar this year," said Betgiri.<br /> <br />He added that downsizing of the number of expatriates this year will have an impact on production saying they wanted to bring in at least seventy eight but government allowed only forty exerting pressure on them looking at how complicated the machines are.</p>
<p>However, while commending the company for the commitment and early purchasing of cane from out-growers a representative of farmers in the task force between, government, the company, and farmers, Noel Mateyu says they will still have a deficit of 30, 000 metric tonnes of Sugarcane.</p>
<p>Mateyo says there is also an improvement in terms of time saying last year they started supplying cane very late but this year just a week after opening they have already started supplying cane.</p>
<p>"The company has to improve on the prices, they are buying at 27,000 kwacha per tonne slightly higher from last year but it is still on a lower side considering the expenses farmers are incurring with price hikes of most things," Mateyo said.</p>
<p>The Salima Sugar Company in its sixth year of production is the second sugar Producer in the Country after Illovo, creating competition on the market which is believed to be beneficial to the consumer.</p>
<p> </p></div>Special Needs Education Student Teachers Boycott Exams2021-07-09T16:39:11+00:002021-07-09T16:39:11+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/66-news-in-southern-region/3651-special-needs-education-student-teachers-boycott-examsHastings Jimaninyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/e615c787b2f85cf06510c8d1eb939a8d_XL.jpg" alt="Chimala says will comment later" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Special needs education student teachers at Montfort Special Needs Education College in Chiradzulu have on Friday boycotted their examinations over disagreements with college authorities who are demanding the learners to return computer tablets to the school upon finishing their examinations.</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">One of the teachers who has pleaded for anonymity told Zodiak Online initially the college told them they will take the gadgets after their studies since they contain all the courses’ materials.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">He said surprisingly, this week the school authorities rescinded their decision.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“Efforts to reason with college authorities to buy the iPads at a reasonable price have yielded negative results hence boycotting the last examination paper which was action research in inclusive education,” said the teacher.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">College authorities have not been available to comment on the matter.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Spokesperson for the ministry of education Chikondi Chimala said he will comment on the matter later.</p></div><div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/e615c787b2f85cf06510c8d1eb939a8d_XL.jpg" alt="Chimala says will comment later" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Special needs education student teachers at Montfort Special Needs Education College in Chiradzulu have on Friday boycotted their examinations over disagreements with college authorities who are demanding the learners to return computer tablets to the school upon finishing their examinations.</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">One of the teachers who has pleaded for anonymity told Zodiak Online initially the college told them they will take the gadgets after their studies since they contain all the courses’ materials.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">He said surprisingly, this week the school authorities rescinded their decision.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“Efforts to reason with college authorities to buy the iPads at a reasonable price have yielded negative results hence boycotting the last examination paper which was action research in inclusive education,” said the teacher.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">College authorities have not been available to comment on the matter.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Spokesperson for the ministry of education Chikondi Chimala said he will comment on the matter later.</p></div>14 GVHs Support AstraZeneca Vaccination 2021-07-09T16:36:12+00:002021-07-09T16:36:12+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/66-news-in-southern-region/3650-14-gvhs-support-astrazeneca-vaccinationRonnex Chiwandanyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>14 Group Village Heads under Traditional Authority Mkhumba in Phalombe have agreed to get vaccinated once administration of the Covid-19 jab resumes.</strong></p>
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<p>Group Village Head Chimenya has told Zodiak Online Friday that information for the vaccine was sketchy, a development that forced chiefs and their subjects not get vaccinated.</p>
<p>Chimenya says health authorities just sent letters to the chiefs telling them that they should go to designated sites to get the vaccine.</p>
<p>“Some days ago, chiefs agreed to get vaccinated once administration of the vaccine resumes,” said Chimenya.</p>
<p>Chimenya has attributed the development to massive sensitization meetings government and players in the health sector have been conducting in the area.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, spokesperson for Phalombe district health office, Daniel Chilomo has hailed the chiefs for the decision.</p>
<p>He said; “spreading of fake news on social media affected dissemination of Covid-19 vaccine and has urged people in the district to disregard such news”</p>
<p>He has since challenged chiefs to organize their subjects once administration of Covid-19 resumes so that they can get the vaccine in their respective areas.</p></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>14 Group Village Heads under Traditional Authority Mkhumba in Phalombe have agreed to get vaccinated once administration of the Covid-19 jab resumes.</strong></p>
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<p>Group Village Head Chimenya has told Zodiak Online Friday that information for the vaccine was sketchy, a development that forced chiefs and their subjects not get vaccinated.</p>
<p>Chimenya says health authorities just sent letters to the chiefs telling them that they should go to designated sites to get the vaccine.</p>
<p>“Some days ago, chiefs agreed to get vaccinated once administration of the vaccine resumes,” said Chimenya.</p>
<p>Chimenya has attributed the development to massive sensitization meetings government and players in the health sector have been conducting in the area.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, spokesperson for Phalombe district health office, Daniel Chilomo has hailed the chiefs for the decision.</p>
<p>He said; “spreading of fake news on social media affected dissemination of Covid-19 vaccine and has urged people in the district to disregard such news”</p>
<p>He has since challenged chiefs to organize their subjects once administration of Covid-19 resumes so that they can get the vaccine in their respective areas.</p></div>Mozambican Jailed for Defilement2021-07-09T16:33:09+00:002021-07-09T16:33:09+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/66-news-in-southern-region/3649-mozambican-jailed-for-defilementSteve Kalungwenyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/acd9956729a0f04e8a8354e79bae68cb_XL.jpg" alt="Mozambican Jailed for Defilement" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>Neno First Grade Magistrates court before Her Worship Margret Khobiri has convicted and sentenced Jeremiah Primero, aged 25 years of Dwembe village in Tete province, Mozambique to 9 years in jail with hard labour for having carnal knowledge of his 14-year-old sister In-law.</strong></p>
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<p>According to court records, the two met on a certain bush 5th day of July 2021 in the evening when the victim was coming from a Mr. Mugabe's House where she went to collect a Bible.</p>
<p>The convict took advantage of the victim's weakness and pushed her to a bush and defiled her.</p>
<p>It was established that the victim lost a plastic bag on the scene which was found by her father who came a cross it when he was hunting.</p>
<p>Upon arrival at home, the victim revealed the ordeal to her parents who later referred the matter to community policing forum and later arrested him.</p>
<p>Primero voluntarily admitted to have committed the offence.</p>
<p>The state represented by Prosecutor Sub Inspector Golden Kakoma applied to the court for stiff punishment in order to deter other would-be offenders which the court agreed and later sentenced the convict to 9 years in jail with hard labor.</p></div><div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/acd9956729a0f04e8a8354e79bae68cb_XL.jpg" alt="Mozambican Jailed for Defilement" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>Neno First Grade Magistrates court before Her Worship Margret Khobiri has convicted and sentenced Jeremiah Primero, aged 25 years of Dwembe village in Tete province, Mozambique to 9 years in jail with hard labour for having carnal knowledge of his 14-year-old sister In-law.</strong></p>
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<p>According to court records, the two met on a certain bush 5th day of July 2021 in the evening when the victim was coming from a Mr. Mugabe's House where she went to collect a Bible.</p>
<p>The convict took advantage of the victim's weakness and pushed her to a bush and defiled her.</p>
<p>It was established that the victim lost a plastic bag on the scene which was found by her father who came a cross it when he was hunting.</p>
<p>Upon arrival at home, the victim revealed the ordeal to her parents who later referred the matter to community policing forum and later arrested him.</p>
<p>Primero voluntarily admitted to have committed the offence.</p>
<p>The state represented by Prosecutor Sub Inspector Golden Kakoma applied to the court for stiff punishment in order to deter other would-be offenders which the court agreed and later sentenced the convict to 9 years in jail with hard labor.</p></div>MEPIC Organizes Cultural Day2021-07-09T16:29:47+00:002021-07-09T16:29:47+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/enw/entertainment-news/15-entertainment/3648-mepic-organizes-cultural-dayMoses Masiyenyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>As one way of promoting cultural co-existence, MEPIC private primary school in Balaka on Friday organised a cultural day aimed at instilling the spirit from childhood.</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">Headteacher for the school Grace Mkwela says apart from teaching them in class, they need to practice co-existence both at school and back in their communities.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"The children should grow up having no problems living with people of different ethnic groups and learn what fellow tribes believe in and like.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"They learn this in class but should also practice it when at school and back home," said Mkwela.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Balaka district officer for Malawi education school improvement program, Steve Mlomba, says this is important and all schools need to promote such initiatives.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Mlomba said: "We have heard reports of ethnic clashes for some time and this could be one way of ensuring that the future generation should be a different one."</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Mlomba said they will do everything possible to ensure that all schools in Balaka promote peaceful co-existence to bring change to society.</p></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>As one way of promoting cultural co-existence, MEPIC private primary school in Balaka on Friday organised a cultural day aimed at instilling the spirit from childhood.</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">Headteacher for the school Grace Mkwela says apart from teaching them in class, they need to practice co-existence both at school and back in their communities.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"The children should grow up having no problems living with people of different ethnic groups and learn what fellow tribes believe in and like.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"They learn this in class but should also practice it when at school and back home," said Mkwela.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Balaka district officer for Malawi education school improvement program, Steve Mlomba, says this is important and all schools need to promote such initiatives.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Mlomba said: "We have heard reports of ethnic clashes for some time and this could be one way of ensuring that the future generation should be a different one."</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Mlomba said they will do everything possible to ensure that all schools in Balaka promote peaceful co-existence to bring change to society.</p></div>Woman Dies in Sand Mining2021-07-09T16:27:10+00:002021-07-09T16:27:10+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/66-news-in-southern-region/3647-woman-dies-in-sand-miningRaphael Mlozoanyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>A 34-year-old woman has died while her two friends have escaped with minor injuries at Monkey-bay in Mangochi after a wall of sand collapsed on them at a place they were doing sand mining.</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">Eastern Region Assistant Police Public Relations Officer, Sergent Tionge Kayenda, who has identified the deceased as Chimwemwe Yamikani Banda, said the incident happened on July 7, 2021, at Chizula village.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“On that fateful day, Banda together with her friend went to an area within their village where people used to fetch dambo sand for selling or decoration of their houses.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“They both entered into a hole where an escarpment of the soil from above crushed and trapped them,” explained Sergeant Kayenda.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">she said Banda died on the spot while her friend escaped with minor bruises and postmortem results at Monkey-bay community hospital revealed that death was due to suffocation.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Banda hailed from Msauka village, Traditional Authority Malengachanzi in Nkhotakota district, according to Kayenda.</p></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>A 34-year-old woman has died while her two friends have escaped with minor injuries at Monkey-bay in Mangochi after a wall of sand collapsed on them at a place they were doing sand mining.</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">Eastern Region Assistant Police Public Relations Officer, Sergent Tionge Kayenda, who has identified the deceased as Chimwemwe Yamikani Banda, said the incident happened on July 7, 2021, at Chizula village.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“On that fateful day, Banda together with her friend went to an area within their village where people used to fetch dambo sand for selling or decoration of their houses.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“They both entered into a hole where an escarpment of the soil from above crushed and trapped them,” explained Sergeant Kayenda.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">she said Banda died on the spot while her friend escaped with minor bruises and postmortem results at Monkey-bay community hospital revealed that death was due to suffocation.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Banda hailed from Msauka village, Traditional Authority Malengachanzi in Nkhotakota district, according to Kayenda.</p></div>Kwathu Drama Group to act from Billy Kaunda’s Hills of Valleys book2021-07-09T16:24:40+00:002021-07-09T16:24:40+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/enw/entertainment-news/15-entertainment/3646-kwathu-drama-group-to-act-from-billy-kaunda-s-hills-of-valleys-bookHastings Jimaninyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>One of the renowned drama groups in Malawi, Kwathu Drama Group, says it will soon release a play dramatizing Billy Kaunda’s book, Hills and Valleys.</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">Director of Kwathu Drama Group Eric Mabedi told Zodiak Online that the group wants to take real issues from the book and share with the public.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“Already, we have agreed with Honorable Billy Kaunda on this project and soon we will release the play from Hills and Valleys book and we believe people will like it,” said Mabedi.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">On his part, Kaunda said he is so happy to have his biography dramatized and that people especially the youths should learn to work hard and persevere.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“People should know that I am a member of Kwathu family and I together with Mr. Mabedi and his drama group expect to benefit from this project,” said Kaunda.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The musician cum politician, Billy Kaunda in his autobiography Hills and Valleys detail ups and downs of his long walk to where he is now.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The book was launched on 4th June, 2021 at Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe.</p></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>One of the renowned drama groups in Malawi, Kwathu Drama Group, says it will soon release a play dramatizing Billy Kaunda’s book, Hills and Valleys.</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">Director of Kwathu Drama Group Eric Mabedi told Zodiak Online that the group wants to take real issues from the book and share with the public.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“Already, we have agreed with Honorable Billy Kaunda on this project and soon we will release the play from Hills and Valleys book and we believe people will like it,” said Mabedi.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">On his part, Kaunda said he is so happy to have his biography dramatized and that people especially the youths should learn to work hard and persevere.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“People should know that I am a member of Kwathu family and I together with Mr. Mabedi and his drama group expect to benefit from this project,” said Kaunda.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The musician cum politician, Billy Kaunda in his autobiography Hills and Valleys detail ups and downs of his long walk to where he is now.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The book was launched on 4th June, 2021 at Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe.</p></div>Defiler Gets 16 Years IHL2021-07-09T16:22:17+00:002021-07-09T16:22:17+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/66-news-in-southern-region/3645-defiler-gets-16-years-ihlRaphael Mlozoanyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/ad18d219429f3ba3bf197068408f17ae_XL.jpg" alt="Defiler Gets 16 Years IHL" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrate Court on Wednesday sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment with hard labour, a 26-year-old man for defiling a 14-year-old girl.</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">State prosecutor from Mangochi police, lnspector Amos Mwase, told the court that, now convict, Muhammad Jussab, during the month of May, 2021, defiled the girl several times at his house.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">He said Jussab found the victim stranded at Lilongwe bus depot and acted as a good Samaritan by offering transport money as both were heading the Mangochi route.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“The accused person promised to shoulder the victim's expenses and escort her to her relatives at Ulongwe, but instead, he proceeded with the minor to his house withing Mangochi town where he defiled her several times,” explained lnspector Amos Mwase.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">He added: “Jussab, also forced the minor to go begging around Mangochi town in order to raise money for his business, but in the process met a good Samaritan who was willing to help and send her back to school.”</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The prosecutor said the victim took this as an opportunity and narrated the issue to the good Samaritan who brought her to Mangochi Police Station after hearing her story.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The police referred her to Mangochi district hospital where they confirmed that she was defiled.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Appearing in court, the accused person pleaded not guilty to the charge and the state paraded four witnesses who proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">In mitigation, Jussab asked for the court's leniency saying he acted out of goodwill and has been taking good care of the victim, a plea the state quashed arguing such cases are on the increase despite government and stakeholders relentlessly working towards protecting and uplifting rights of the girl child.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Passing judgement, Senior Resident Magistrate Rodrick Michongwe concurred with the state hence the sentence to serve as a lesson to him and other would-be offenders.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Jussab hails from Thakiwa village, Traditional Authority Njema in Mulanje district.</p></div><div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/ad18d219429f3ba3bf197068408f17ae_XL.jpg" alt="Defiler Gets 16 Years IHL" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrate Court on Wednesday sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment with hard labour, a 26-year-old man for defiling a 14-year-old girl.</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">State prosecutor from Mangochi police, lnspector Amos Mwase, told the court that, now convict, Muhammad Jussab, during the month of May, 2021, defiled the girl several times at his house.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">He said Jussab found the victim stranded at Lilongwe bus depot and acted as a good Samaritan by offering transport money as both were heading the Mangochi route.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“The accused person promised to shoulder the victim's expenses and escort her to her relatives at Ulongwe, but instead, he proceeded with the minor to his house withing Mangochi town where he defiled her several times,” explained lnspector Amos Mwase.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">He added: “Jussab, also forced the minor to go begging around Mangochi town in order to raise money for his business, but in the process met a good Samaritan who was willing to help and send her back to school.”</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The prosecutor said the victim took this as an opportunity and narrated the issue to the good Samaritan who brought her to Mangochi Police Station after hearing her story.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The police referred her to Mangochi district hospital where they confirmed that she was defiled.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Appearing in court, the accused person pleaded not guilty to the charge and the state paraded four witnesses who proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">In mitigation, Jussab asked for the court's leniency saying he acted out of goodwill and has been taking good care of the victim, a plea the state quashed arguing such cases are on the increase despite government and stakeholders relentlessly working towards protecting and uplifting rights of the girl child.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Passing judgement, Senior Resident Magistrate Rodrick Michongwe concurred with the state hence the sentence to serve as a lesson to him and other would-be offenders.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Jussab hails from Thakiwa village, Traditional Authority Njema in Mulanje district.</p></div>EAM Tips Church Leaders on Peace Building Beyond the Church Jurisdiction2021-07-09T16:18:25+00:002021-07-09T16:18:25+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/66-news-in-southern-region/3644-eam-tips-church-leaders-on-peace-building-beyond-the-church-jurisdictionHastings Jimaninyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/048e752c64cf593538ebd02b789f68f2_XL.jpg" alt="Matchona Phiri" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>The Evangelical Association of Malawi (EAM) has tipped religious leaders to preach and promote peace beyond their churches.</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">EAM Advocacy and Governance Officer, Matchona Phiri, speaking in Mulanje on Wednesday during the pastors’ training on peace building said the church has a significant role to play in managing conflicts before they generate into violence.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“Because of their perceived neutrality in doing things, religious leaders have crucial roles to play in resolving conflicts in communities they serve not only in churches,” said Phiri.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Reverend Witness Mthyola of Word Alive Ministries International in Mulanje told Zodiak Online that there are proper channels pastors follow when resolving misunderstandings in church before they generate into conflicts.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“Similarly, when approached by non-church members to mediate disagreements amidst them, we use necessary steps to manage them in respect of biblical teachings and culture,” said Reverend Mthyola.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Mulanje is among unstable districts in Malawi with high incidents of political, land, chieftaincy and marriage conflicts.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">EAM is implementing a three-year peace building project in Mulanje, Karonga and Lilongwe with financial support from Bread of the World.</p></div><div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/048e752c64cf593538ebd02b789f68f2_XL.jpg" alt="Matchona Phiri" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>The Evangelical Association of Malawi (EAM) has tipped religious leaders to preach and promote peace beyond their churches.</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">EAM Advocacy and Governance Officer, Matchona Phiri, speaking in Mulanje on Wednesday during the pastors’ training on peace building said the church has a significant role to play in managing conflicts before they generate into violence.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“Because of their perceived neutrality in doing things, religious leaders have crucial roles to play in resolving conflicts in communities they serve not only in churches,” said Phiri.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Reverend Witness Mthyola of Word Alive Ministries International in Mulanje told Zodiak Online that there are proper channels pastors follow when resolving misunderstandings in church before they generate into conflicts.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“Similarly, when approached by non-church members to mediate disagreements amidst them, we use necessary steps to manage them in respect of biblical teachings and culture,” said Reverend Mthyola.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Mulanje is among unstable districts in Malawi with high incidents of political, land, chieftaincy and marriage conflicts.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">EAM is implementing a three-year peace building project in Mulanje, Karonga and Lilongwe with financial support from Bread of the World.</p></div>District Councils Urged to Develop Websites2021-07-09T16:14:42+00:002021-07-09T16:14:42+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/66-news-in-southern-region/3643-district-councils-urged-to-develop-websitesMoses Masiyenyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/d0670c01e42acfd0f3bbc3520ec34e43_XL.jpg" alt="Daudi" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Ministry of local government has urged district councils to develop websites to ease public access to information they currently strive for.</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">Deputy minister responsible, Halima Daudi, said in Balaka Friday after launching Balaka district council website, reportedly the first of its kind and asked others to emulate.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"This will improve communication between the public and the council and the ministry would wish to see other councils follow suit in few months," said Daudi.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Balaka district commissioner, Dr. MacLoud Kadam'manja, says this is in response to people's outcry on lack of access to vital information.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Kadam'manja said: "Despite emerging top in the recent local authority program assessment, we scored less marks in public access to information from us and that prompted us to develop this website as the first step to addressing that challenge."</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Chairperson for Malawi local government association, Wild Ndipo, commended Balaka district council for the innovation saying this will reduce costs people incur in travelling to the council to get information.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">He said: "Not only will the website assist people access vital information from their homes, but will also ease congestion at the council especially this time of Covid 19 pandemic."</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Balaka district council hatched the idea in September 2020, and started developing its website in January this year.</p></div><div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/d0670c01e42acfd0f3bbc3520ec34e43_XL.jpg" alt="Daudi" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Ministry of local government has urged district councils to develop websites to ease public access to information they currently strive for.</strong></p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p style="text-align: justify;">Deputy minister responsible, Halima Daudi, said in Balaka Friday after launching Balaka district council website, reportedly the first of its kind and asked others to emulate.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"This will improve communication between the public and the council and the ministry would wish to see other councils follow suit in few months," said Daudi.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Balaka district commissioner, Dr. MacLoud Kadam'manja, says this is in response to people's outcry on lack of access to vital information.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Kadam'manja said: "Despite emerging top in the recent local authority program assessment, we scored less marks in public access to information from us and that prompted us to develop this website as the first step to addressing that challenge."</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Chairperson for Malawi local government association, Wild Ndipo, commended Balaka district council for the innovation saying this will reduce costs people incur in travelling to the council to get information.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">He said: "Not only will the website assist people access vital information from their homes, but will also ease congestion at the council especially this time of Covid 19 pandemic."</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Balaka district council hatched the idea in September 2020, and started developing its website in January this year.</p></div>