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-22024-03-28T12:22:57+00:00Joomla! - Open Source Content ManagementRaiply Malawi Risks Closure2021-05-18T08:58:39+00:002021-05-18T08:58:39+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/66-news-in-southern-region/3449-raiply-malawi-risks-closureHastings Jimaninyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/81656e8b4a61d80afebb1c4f0a61f48f_XL.jpg" alt="A timber sawyer captured in the forest reserve" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Raiply Malawi Limited in Limbe - Blantyre risks closure due to shortage of raw materials.</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">This follows plunder of trees at Nanchidwa site in Mulanje Mountain Forest Reserve, the source of the company’s tree logs.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Spokesperson for Raiply Malawi Limited, Dalitso Chimwala, says the company which has a workforce of 500 people has a 25-year concession with government at Nanchidwa site and it plants and harvest trees at the site.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">However, Chimwala says for years, Nanchidwa has been hit by alarming theft of trees by some loggers; consequently, affecting timber production and other products at its Limbe factory.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“If plunder of trees at the site continues, the company will be forced to close its Limbe factory, a move that will see 500 plus people losing their jobs,” said Chimwala.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">While concurring with the company’s concern, District Forestry Officer for Mulanje, Erick Mbingwani, blamed the company for failing to provide security to the site.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Meanwhile, Chairperson of Muloza Forest Cooperative, Madalitso Maulunga, says his cooperative has been restoring part of Nanchidwa Forest Reserve in support of government’s afforestation drive.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“We just plead with both government and Raiply Malawi Limited to enhance security of trees in the forest reserve otherwise all their efforts including our strides to restore the forest will be going down the drain,” said Maulunga.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The country’s forest reserves risk depletion following continued encroachment for farming and cutting trees for charcoal and timber production.</p></div><div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/81656e8b4a61d80afebb1c4f0a61f48f_XL.jpg" alt="A timber sawyer captured in the forest reserve" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Raiply Malawi Limited in Limbe - Blantyre risks closure due to shortage of raw materials.</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">This follows plunder of trees at Nanchidwa site in Mulanje Mountain Forest Reserve, the source of the company’s tree logs.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Spokesperson for Raiply Malawi Limited, Dalitso Chimwala, says the company which has a workforce of 500 people has a 25-year concession with government at Nanchidwa site and it plants and harvest trees at the site.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">However, Chimwala says for years, Nanchidwa has been hit by alarming theft of trees by some loggers; consequently, affecting timber production and other products at its Limbe factory.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“If plunder of trees at the site continues, the company will be forced to close its Limbe factory, a move that will see 500 plus people losing their jobs,” said Chimwala.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">While concurring with the company’s concern, District Forestry Officer for Mulanje, Erick Mbingwani, blamed the company for failing to provide security to the site.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Meanwhile, Chairperson of Muloza Forest Cooperative, Madalitso Maulunga, says his cooperative has been restoring part of Nanchidwa Forest Reserve in support of government’s afforestation drive.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“We just plead with both government and Raiply Malawi Limited to enhance security of trees in the forest reserve otherwise all their efforts including our strides to restore the forest will be going down the drain,” said Maulunga.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The country’s forest reserves risk depletion following continued encroachment for farming and cutting trees for charcoal and timber production.</p></div>NCIC Hails Ban on Baked Bricks2021-05-18T08:50:49+00:002021-05-18T08:50:49+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/66-news-in-southern-region/3448-ncic-hails-ban-on-baked-bricksRonnex Chiwandanyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/37a077342a5babe5ea57edba2f8b97d5_XL.jpg" alt="In 2018, Government banned the use of baked bricks in all public and commercial projects" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>National Construction Industry Council (NCIC) says adoption of alternative construction materials has been a success, three years after it issued a ban on the use of baked bricks in public and commercial projects.</strong></p>
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<p>NCIC Corporate Affairs Officer, Dan Nyirongo, says apart from complementing efforts in conserving the environment, the ban has also contributed to the improvement of quality infrastructure in the country.</p>
<p>He said; “this has been made possible through the council’s monitoring team which is always on the ground to, among others, enforce compliance."</p>
<p>Nyirongo adds that the council does not hesitate to take action where industry players breach the ban.</p>
<p>Environmental activist, Matthews Malata, has advised the government to step up sensitization on the benefits of the environment-friendly-bricks.</p>
<p>Director of Environmental Affairs, Taonga Mbale, however, says that the department is yet to make independent assessments of the ban to the country’s environment.</p>
<p>In 2018, Government banned the use of baked bricks in all public and commercial projects.</p></div><div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/37a077342a5babe5ea57edba2f8b97d5_XL.jpg" alt="In 2018, Government banned the use of baked bricks in all public and commercial projects" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>National Construction Industry Council (NCIC) says adoption of alternative construction materials has been a success, three years after it issued a ban on the use of baked bricks in public and commercial projects.</strong></p>
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<p>NCIC Corporate Affairs Officer, Dan Nyirongo, says apart from complementing efforts in conserving the environment, the ban has also contributed to the improvement of quality infrastructure in the country.</p>
<p>He said; “this has been made possible through the council’s monitoring team which is always on the ground to, among others, enforce compliance."</p>
<p>Nyirongo adds that the council does not hesitate to take action where industry players breach the ban.</p>
<p>Environmental activist, Matthews Malata, has advised the government to step up sensitization on the benefits of the environment-friendly-bricks.</p>
<p>Director of Environmental Affairs, Taonga Mbale, however, says that the department is yet to make independent assessments of the ban to the country’s environment.</p>
<p>In 2018, Government banned the use of baked bricks in all public and commercial projects.</p></div>MPC Yet to Pay 900 Workers April Salaries2021-05-17T12:06:23+00:002021-05-17T12:06:23+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/66-news-in-southern-region/3447-mpc-yet-to-pay-900-workers-april-salariesAlfred Gutanyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/47d514db89ba887685b2b44bb3616e00_XL.jpg" alt="Concerned employees who spoke to Zodiak Online have faulted MPC management for the delay to pay them" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Zodiak Online has established that over 900 Malawi Posts Corporation (MPC) employees across the country are yet to receive their April salaries.</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">Concerned employees who spoke to Zodiak Online have faulted MPC management for the delay to pay them, saying life has been tough as a result.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"I am struggling to support my families and relations as we bank on the salaries for survival.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"I am financially struggling to pay my rentals. I risk being evicted from the house I am renting," lamented one of the employees who declined to be identified.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">MPC Spokesperson, Ida Nkolimbo, acknowledged the concerns in an interview work Zodiak Online, saying COVID-19 has affected revenue collection.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"Things worsened last year and this year so financially we have had a difficult time." Explained Nkolimbo.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The MPC Spokesperson nevertheless assured the employees that the situation will normalize from May this year as business is expected to pick up.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"Secondly MPC is in a process of implementing a specific reform area that addresses this particular challenge for the future.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"For your information, currently staff cost hovers around 75-80 percent of revenue due to overstaffing as a result of the decline in letter business over the past decade,” she said.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">She could not deny or admit that some employees will be fired on the course of implementing the reforms in the question.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">She said the office responsible for reforms in the public service will advise.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"We are monitored and supervised by the Vice President's Office which is responsible for overseeing reforms in the public sector.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"The responsible office would advise us on what to do but at some point, we have to make sure that our revenue generation and staff package are making sense as far as business is concerned," said Nkolimbo.</p></div><div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/47d514db89ba887685b2b44bb3616e00_XL.jpg" alt="Concerned employees who spoke to Zodiak Online have faulted MPC management for the delay to pay them" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Zodiak Online has established that over 900 Malawi Posts Corporation (MPC) employees across the country are yet to receive their April salaries.</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">Concerned employees who spoke to Zodiak Online have faulted MPC management for the delay to pay them, saying life has been tough as a result.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"I am struggling to support my families and relations as we bank on the salaries for survival.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"I am financially struggling to pay my rentals. I risk being evicted from the house I am renting," lamented one of the employees who declined to be identified.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">MPC Spokesperson, Ida Nkolimbo, acknowledged the concerns in an interview work Zodiak Online, saying COVID-19 has affected revenue collection.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"Things worsened last year and this year so financially we have had a difficult time." Explained Nkolimbo.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The MPC Spokesperson nevertheless assured the employees that the situation will normalize from May this year as business is expected to pick up.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"Secondly MPC is in a process of implementing a specific reform area that addresses this particular challenge for the future.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"For your information, currently staff cost hovers around 75-80 percent of revenue due to overstaffing as a result of the decline in letter business over the past decade,” she said.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">She could not deny or admit that some employees will be fired on the course of implementing the reforms in the question.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">She said the office responsible for reforms in the public service will advise.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"We are monitored and supervised by the Vice President's Office which is responsible for overseeing reforms in the public sector.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"The responsible office would advise us on what to do but at some point, we have to make sure that our revenue generation and staff package are making sense as far as business is concerned," said Nkolimbo.</p></div>Govt Bails Mpisamanja Communities Out of Water Woes2021-05-17T11:49:55+00:002021-05-17T11:49:55+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/66-news-in-southern-region/3446-govt-bails-mpisamanja-communities-out-of-water-woesAlfred Gutanyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/7d9e9f9ae651e70367ceb02497582222_XL.jpg" alt="The project will be drawn from Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and borehole fund" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>There are prospects of improved access to safe drinking water at Mpisamanja and the surrounding areas in the area of Traditional Authority Mbenje in Nsanje.</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">This follows a 20-million-kwacha solar powered water project which according to Member of Parliament for the area, Glady's Ganda, will benefit over 3, 000 people.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Some members of the community in the area of GVH Mpisamanja told Zodiak Online, access to potable water is a nightmare.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"We struggle a lot to access safe drinking water. Imagine, the whole area of GVH Mpisamanja, we only have two boreholes.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"Women and girls are forced to wake us as early as 4 am to fetch water. They return home at noon. The women fail to attend to agricultural activities as a result,” he said.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Billiat believes things will not be the same. He assured the authorities that the project's equipment will be taken care of.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Member of Parliament for Nsanje Lalanje, Glady's Ganda, admitted access to safe drinking water has been a hustle in the area.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"It is true that Mpisamanja and the surrounding areas will access piped water just like Sorgin, Kalupsya, Mbenje, Tiza, Dande, Khope and other areas.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"I started initiating this piped water system with Phokera and now we are extending coverage," said Ganda.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"As a woman, I know how fellow women and my mothers struggle to fetch water from different water points. Rivers, wells and other bodies have always provided unsafe water for drinking.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"This is why I have emphasized the need to lobby for safe potable water for anyone during my tenure as an MP for Nsanje Lalanje,” she said.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">She added; "I am aware of the waterborne diseases that are claiming innocent lives. To lose lives because of lack of potable water has been a concern to me.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"I am optimistic therefore that with encouragement and lobbying for more investment in the potable water provision, Nsanje Lalanje constituency will never be the same in the next 10 years as regards water development," said Ganda.</p>
<p>According to the Nsanje Lalanje constituency Member of Parliament, the funds for the project will be drawn from Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and borehole fund.</p></div><div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/7d9e9f9ae651e70367ceb02497582222_XL.jpg" alt="The project will be drawn from Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and borehole fund" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>There are prospects of improved access to safe drinking water at Mpisamanja and the surrounding areas in the area of Traditional Authority Mbenje in Nsanje.</strong></p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p style="text-align: justify;">This follows a 20-million-kwacha solar powered water project which according to Member of Parliament for the area, Glady's Ganda, will benefit over 3, 000 people.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Some members of the community in the area of GVH Mpisamanja told Zodiak Online, access to potable water is a nightmare.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"We struggle a lot to access safe drinking water. Imagine, the whole area of GVH Mpisamanja, we only have two boreholes.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"Women and girls are forced to wake us as early as 4 am to fetch water. They return home at noon. The women fail to attend to agricultural activities as a result,” he said.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Billiat believes things will not be the same. He assured the authorities that the project's equipment will be taken care of.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Member of Parliament for Nsanje Lalanje, Glady's Ganda, admitted access to safe drinking water has been a hustle in the area.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"It is true that Mpisamanja and the surrounding areas will access piped water just like Sorgin, Kalupsya, Mbenje, Tiza, Dande, Khope and other areas.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"I started initiating this piped water system with Phokera and now we are extending coverage," said Ganda.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"As a woman, I know how fellow women and my mothers struggle to fetch water from different water points. Rivers, wells and other bodies have always provided unsafe water for drinking.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"This is why I have emphasized the need to lobby for safe potable water for anyone during my tenure as an MP for Nsanje Lalanje,” she said.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">She added; "I am aware of the waterborne diseases that are claiming innocent lives. To lose lives because of lack of potable water has been a concern to me.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"I am optimistic therefore that with encouragement and lobbying for more investment in the potable water provision, Nsanje Lalanje constituency will never be the same in the next 10 years as regards water development," said Ganda.</p>
<p>According to the Nsanje Lalanje constituency Member of Parliament, the funds for the project will be drawn from Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and borehole fund.</p></div>Malawi Red Cross Society Ready for Covid-19 Third Wave2021-05-17T11:21:46+00:002021-05-17T11:21:46+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/64-news-in-northern-region/3445-malawi-red-cross-society-ready-for-covid-19-third-waveSteve Zimbanyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/69525150ee69f19c29b21d7f5dabfc82_XL.jpg" alt="Felix Washon of MRCS" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>The Malawi Red Cross Society says it is ready to help contain the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic which is imminent in the country.</strong></p>
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<p>Communications Manager, at the charitable institution, Felix Washon has told us in an interview that the Malawi Red Cross Society will ensure that there is an effective response to the third wave of the pandemic if it hits Malawi.</p>
<p>`` With help from the Ministry of Health, for example, Malawi Red Cross Society has trained 5,000 volunteers across the country who are providing information on prevention of the virus and also access to covid-19 vaccine currently being administered in the country”, says Washon.</p>
<p>According to Covid-19 situation update of yesterday, Sunday , Malawi has so far registered 34,214 cases including 1,153 deaths and the case fatality rate is at 3.37perecent. it has also been made public that 333,632 doses of vaccine have been administered in the country.</p>
<p>Washon explains that, `` despite those figures having dropped, the Malawi Red Cross Society will remain on the ground for any eventuality”.</p>
<p>In her covid-19 update yesterday, Minister of Health, Kumbize Kandodo Chiponda said Malawi is experiencing an increase in community transmission of the covid-19.</p>
<p>``I would like to remind you all, on covid-19 symptoms to facilitate early care seeking, ”noted Kandodo.</p>
<p>Fever, dry cough, loss of taste or smell are some of the symptoms of the pandemic.</p></div><div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/69525150ee69f19c29b21d7f5dabfc82_XL.jpg" alt="Felix Washon of MRCS" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>The Malawi Red Cross Society says it is ready to help contain the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic which is imminent in the country.</strong></p>
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<p>Communications Manager, at the charitable institution, Felix Washon has told us in an interview that the Malawi Red Cross Society will ensure that there is an effective response to the third wave of the pandemic if it hits Malawi.</p>
<p>`` With help from the Ministry of Health, for example, Malawi Red Cross Society has trained 5,000 volunteers across the country who are providing information on prevention of the virus and also access to covid-19 vaccine currently being administered in the country”, says Washon.</p>
<p>According to Covid-19 situation update of yesterday, Sunday , Malawi has so far registered 34,214 cases including 1,153 deaths and the case fatality rate is at 3.37perecent. it has also been made public that 333,632 doses of vaccine have been administered in the country.</p>
<p>Washon explains that, `` despite those figures having dropped, the Malawi Red Cross Society will remain on the ground for any eventuality”.</p>
<p>In her covid-19 update yesterday, Minister of Health, Kumbize Kandodo Chiponda said Malawi is experiencing an increase in community transmission of the covid-19.</p>
<p>``I would like to remind you all, on covid-19 symptoms to facilitate early care seeking, ”noted Kandodo.</p>
<p>Fever, dry cough, loss of taste or smell are some of the symptoms of the pandemic.</p></div>Malnutrition Deaths Worry Balaka Authorities2021-05-17T08:11:02+00:002021-05-17T08:11:02+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/66-news-in-southern-region/3444-malnutrition-deaths-worry-balaka-authoritiesMoses Masiyenyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/ec24f4af33c48bef18b460fc03b8b352_XL.jpg" alt="Demographic Health Survey of 2015 - 2016 showed that stuntedness rate for Balaka was at 33 percent" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>A rise in deaths from severe malnutrition in Balaka district during the first quarter of the year has worried authorities calling for concerted efforts to address the problem.</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">Balaka Principal Nutrition and HIV/Aids Officer, Lucious Njobvu, says nine under 5 children died of severe malnutrition between January and March this year, higher than one child who died same period last year 2020.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Njobvu says food insecurity and shifting all efforts to Covid 19 pandemic neglecting other health challenges are some of the factors contributing to the increase.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"More efforts have been channeled towards Covid 19 pandemic, almost neglecting other diseases including malnutrition.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"Food insecurity and delays in health seeking behavior are also other factors contributing to the increase and we need to do all we can to overcome this challenge," says Njobvu.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Steven khuleya, Find Your feet District Coordinator, whose organization is implementing nutrition project, says they have joined the wagon to build resilience through different interventions.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"We organized a nutrition fair alongside other stakeholders to showcase some of the interventions we are undertaking to combat malnutrition," says Khuleya.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Chairperson for Balaka District Council, Michael Chauluka, has called upon all stakeholders to join hands in raising awareness about dangers of malnutrition and stuntedness so as to win the fight.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Chauluka said: "We rely on several partners to reverse this alarming increase of deaths of our children due to severe malnutrition as we cannot solely manage this on our own."</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Demographic Health Survey of 2015 - 2016 showed that stuntedness rate for Balaka was at 33 percent.</p></div><div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/ec24f4af33c48bef18b460fc03b8b352_XL.jpg" alt="Demographic Health Survey of 2015 - 2016 showed that stuntedness rate for Balaka was at 33 percent" /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>A rise in deaths from severe malnutrition in Balaka district during the first quarter of the year has worried authorities calling for concerted efforts to address the problem.</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">Balaka Principal Nutrition and HIV/Aids Officer, Lucious Njobvu, says nine under 5 children died of severe malnutrition between January and March this year, higher than one child who died same period last year 2020.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Njobvu says food insecurity and shifting all efforts to Covid 19 pandemic neglecting other health challenges are some of the factors contributing to the increase.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"More efforts have been channeled towards Covid 19 pandemic, almost neglecting other diseases including malnutrition.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"Food insecurity and delays in health seeking behavior are also other factors contributing to the increase and we need to do all we can to overcome this challenge," says Njobvu.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Steven khuleya, Find Your feet District Coordinator, whose organization is implementing nutrition project, says they have joined the wagon to build resilience through different interventions.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"We organized a nutrition fair alongside other stakeholders to showcase some of the interventions we are undertaking to combat malnutrition," says Khuleya.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Chairperson for Balaka District Council, Michael Chauluka, has called upon all stakeholders to join hands in raising awareness about dangers of malnutrition and stuntedness so as to win the fight.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Chauluka said: "We rely on several partners to reverse this alarming increase of deaths of our children due to severe malnutrition as we cannot solely manage this on our own."</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Demographic Health Survey of 2015 - 2016 showed that stuntedness rate for Balaka was at 33 percent.</p></div>3 Elderly Persons Brutally Murdered in Balaka in 3 Months2021-05-17T07:34:31+00:002021-05-17T07:34:31+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/66-news-in-southern-region/3443-3-elderly-persons-brutally-murdered-in-balaka-in-3-monthsMoses Masiyenyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/41800ddcbf765d04344c295d60cdf173_XL.jpg" alt="Chipao says they are on the ground investigating the matter " /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>Police in the Eastern Region says is investigating brutal murder of three elderly people in Balaka district over the past three months alone whose real motive is not yet established.</strong></p>
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<p>Commissioner of police for the region, Dennis Chipao, says this is worrisome and police is on the ground investigating and offering tight security.</p>
<p>"It is surprising that in all the killings, the unknown culprits left all valuable assets untampered with," said Chipao.</p>
<p>He says they have embarked on awareness campaign alongside the investigation to seek public support in an effort to crackdown the culprits.</p>
<p>Sub Traditional Authority Mgomwa of Balaka says this is becoming worrisome and thanked the police for touching base.</p>
<p>She said: "We will complement the police efforts by strengthening our community policing structures and work closely with the police to end the malpractice."</p>
<p>The police in its awareness campaigns are also tackling issues regarding security of people with albinism as well as farmgate pricing.</p></div><div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/41800ddcbf765d04344c295d60cdf173_XL.jpg" alt="Chipao says they are on the ground investigating the matter " /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>Police in the Eastern Region says is investigating brutal murder of three elderly people in Balaka district over the past three months alone whose real motive is not yet established.</strong></p>
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<p>Commissioner of police for the region, Dennis Chipao, says this is worrisome and police is on the ground investigating and offering tight security.</p>
<p>"It is surprising that in all the killings, the unknown culprits left all valuable assets untampered with," said Chipao.</p>
<p>He says they have embarked on awareness campaign alongside the investigation to seek public support in an effort to crackdown the culprits.</p>
<p>Sub Traditional Authority Mgomwa of Balaka says this is becoming worrisome and thanked the police for touching base.</p>
<p>She said: "We will complement the police efforts by strengthening our community policing structures and work closely with the police to end the malpractice."</p>
<p>The police in its awareness campaigns are also tackling issues regarding security of people with albinism as well as farmgate pricing.</p></div>More Men Committing Suicide than Women in Malawi2021-05-15T17:30:49+00:002021-05-15T17:30:49+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/64-news-in-northern-region/3442-more-men-committing-suicide-than-women-in-malawiTowera Kumwendanyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>Latest statistics from Police headquarters in Lilongwe show that seventy six people have committed suicide in the country with men topping the list that was recorded between January and March this year.</strong></p>
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<p>Deputy National Police Spokesperson, Peter Kalaya says of the 76 people that have committed suicide in the first quarter of 2021, 69 are men while 7 are women.</p>
<p>Kalaya notes that, ``most men are not forthcoming with their concerns to seek psychosocial support and counseling on issues affecting them because from the records that we have, women are coming to seek psychosocial support but it is not the case with men".</p>
<p>Psychology expert Dr. Chiwoza Bandawe, a lecturer at College of Medicine suggests that there is need for massive awareness and change of review some laws.</p>
<p>``There is a law that says, if anyone attempts suicide should be arrested, that law is not helpful and its actually harmful because it prevents people from seeking help. We need to get rid of such law", notes Dr. Bandawe.</p>
<p>Dr. Charles Masulani who is the Executive Director of the Saint John of God Hospital Services, is adding value on Dr. Bandawe’s statement, saying the study they conducted on suicide in the country, it revealed that men are more prone to commit suicide because they do not seek help, to avoid being called weak.</p>
<p>``Men were more likely to commit suicide to women, and the explanation to that is men use more aversive ways of committing suicide compared to women. Men will not even seek help because they fear that they will be taken as weak characters" Dr Masulani told us.</p>
<p>44 people committed suicide in the first quarter of 2020, 43 of which were men and 1 woman.</p></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>Latest statistics from Police headquarters in Lilongwe show that seventy six people have committed suicide in the country with men topping the list that was recorded between January and March this year.</strong></p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p>Deputy National Police Spokesperson, Peter Kalaya says of the 76 people that have committed suicide in the first quarter of 2021, 69 are men while 7 are women.</p>
<p>Kalaya notes that, ``most men are not forthcoming with their concerns to seek psychosocial support and counseling on issues affecting them because from the records that we have, women are coming to seek psychosocial support but it is not the case with men".</p>
<p>Psychology expert Dr. Chiwoza Bandawe, a lecturer at College of Medicine suggests that there is need for massive awareness and change of review some laws.</p>
<p>``There is a law that says, if anyone attempts suicide should be arrested, that law is not helpful and its actually harmful because it prevents people from seeking help. We need to get rid of such law", notes Dr. Bandawe.</p>
<p>Dr. Charles Masulani who is the Executive Director of the Saint John of God Hospital Services, is adding value on Dr. Bandawe’s statement, saying the study they conducted on suicide in the country, it revealed that men are more prone to commit suicide because they do not seek help, to avoid being called weak.</p>
<p>``Men were more likely to commit suicide to women, and the explanation to that is men use more aversive ways of committing suicide compared to women. Men will not even seek help because they fear that they will be taken as weak characters" Dr Masulani told us.</p>
<p>44 people committed suicide in the first quarter of 2020, 43 of which were men and 1 woman.</p></div>Court Fines Three Tanzanians For Illegal Stay In Malawi2021-05-15T16:43:27+00:002021-05-15T16:43:27+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/64-news-in-northern-region/3441-court-fines-three-tanzanians-for-illegal-stay-in-malawiAdams Undaningenyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>A Court in Karonga has ordered three Tanzania nationals to pay a fine of K20,000 for illegally staying in the country .</strong></p>
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<div dir="auto">Police Prosecutor Sub Inspector Sub Inspector Harrison Mtambalika told the court that the aliens were arrested at Uliwa Trading Centre in Karonga for being found staying in the country without legal documents.</div>
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<div dir="auto">In his submission, Sub Inspector Mtambalika pleaded with the court for stiffer sentence to the convicts to act as deterrent to other would-be offenders.</div>
<div dir="auto"> </div>
<div dir="auto">Senior Resident Magistrate Mateo Fatsani Chitha concurred with State, and ordered the three to pay a K20,000.00 fine and to go back to their home country within 14 days.</div>
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<div dir="auto">The three George Francis Kombo, Abraham Edom and Julius Moses Koma come from Kyela in Tanzania.</div></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><strong>A Court in Karonga has ordered three Tanzania nationals to pay a fine of K20,000 for illegally staying in the country .</strong></p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<div dir="auto">Police Prosecutor Sub Inspector Sub Inspector Harrison Mtambalika told the court that the aliens were arrested at Uliwa Trading Centre in Karonga for being found staying in the country without legal documents.</div>
<div dir="auto"> </div>
<div dir="auto">In his submission, Sub Inspector Mtambalika pleaded with the court for stiffer sentence to the convicts to act as deterrent to other would-be offenders.</div>
<div dir="auto"> </div>
<div dir="auto">Senior Resident Magistrate Mateo Fatsani Chitha concurred with State, and ordered the three to pay a K20,000.00 fine and to go back to their home country within 14 days.</div>
<div dir="auto"> </div>
<div dir="auto">The three George Francis Kombo, Abraham Edom and Julius Moses Koma come from Kyela in Tanzania.</div></div>Immigration to Deport 2 Rwandese and Egyptian2021-05-14T17:46:09+00:002021-05-14T17:46:09+00:00https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/66-news-in-southern-region/3440-immigration-to-deport-2-rwandese-and-egyptianRaphael Mlozoanyavatar10@gmail.com<div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/ff5ccb66e4b85819598219b8dc06177f_XL.jpg" alt="The court ordered the three to be sent back to their countries of origin " /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>The Immigration department in the Eastern Region says it is finalizing paperwork to deport three undocumented immigrants; 2 Rwandese and 1 Egyptian, as ordered by courts this week in Mangochi and Balaka respectively.</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">Immigration Officer in the region, Vivian Kasambo, told Zodiak Online on Thursday that his office is responding to the order and the three will be deported soon after issuing them one-way travel documents, probably after the long weekend.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The three were arrested after failing to produce valid papers to stay in Malawi, contrary to Section 5 (b) of the Immigration Act during a sweeping exercise conducted by the immigration department and police in the region.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“We have already communicated to their relatives or those that are closer to them to make sure that this arrangement of deporting them is done as quickly as possible,” said Kasambo, who described them as economic migrants.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“They just came recently; they are not refugees or asylum seekers as people might think, they just come here to look for opportunities, so we caught them and brought before the court who ordered that we deport them to their country of origin,” explained Kasambo, clarifying that the arrest has nothing to do with government’s order that is being challenged in court to return refugees to Dzaleka. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The eastern region immigration chief said people should expect more action on these issues as they have intensified operations in the region.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">According to Kasambo, the two Rwandese, who were doing their businesses at Makawa Trading Centre are now remanded at Mangochi prison while the Egyptian who was doing his business at Balaka is at Zomba maximum prison.</p></div><div class="K2FeedImage"><img src="https://zodiakmalawi.com/media/k2/items/cache/ff5ccb66e4b85819598219b8dc06177f_XL.jpg" alt="The court ordered the three to be sent back to their countries of origin " /></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>The Immigration department in the Eastern Region says it is finalizing paperwork to deport three undocumented immigrants; 2 Rwandese and 1 Egyptian, as ordered by courts this week in Mangochi and Balaka respectively.</strong></p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p style="text-align: justify;">Immigration Officer in the region, Vivian Kasambo, told Zodiak Online on Thursday that his office is responding to the order and the three will be deported soon after issuing them one-way travel documents, probably after the long weekend.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The three were arrested after failing to produce valid papers to stay in Malawi, contrary to Section 5 (b) of the Immigration Act during a sweeping exercise conducted by the immigration department and police in the region.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“We have already communicated to their relatives or those that are closer to them to make sure that this arrangement of deporting them is done as quickly as possible,” said Kasambo, who described them as economic migrants.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“They just came recently; they are not refugees or asylum seekers as people might think, they just come here to look for opportunities, so we caught them and brought before the court who ordered that we deport them to their country of origin,” explained Kasambo, clarifying that the arrest has nothing to do with government’s order that is being challenged in court to return refugees to Dzaleka. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The eastern region immigration chief said people should expect more action on these issues as they have intensified operations in the region.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">According to Kasambo, the two Rwandese, who were doing their businesses at Makawa Trading Centre are now remanded at Mangochi prison while the Egyptian who was doing his business at Balaka is at Zomba maximum prison.</p></div>