PAK Foundation Launches Back to School Initiative in Mulanje

A Mulanje based Non-Governmental Organization, PAK Foundation on Thursday launched a back to school initiative in Traditional Authority Juma in Mulanje district.

Grengary Primary School in Thyolo Faces Permanent Closure

There are fears that Grengary primary school in Thyolo might be permanently closed following the growing vandalism of property by the thieves.

Man Beheads Wife, Son and Commits Suicide

Two bodies of a woman and her 2-year-old son have been discovered beheaded in Karonga, an incident which has sent shockwaves among residents there.

Police in the district say that the bodies were found alongside another body, of a man believed to be the husband, whom they suspect beheaded the two before taking his own life.

The man has been identified by the police as, 27-year-old Jonathan Mzumara, from the district.

Karonga Police Publicist Sergeant George Mulewa says, the three bodies were discovered today by some villagers who were passing by the house.

"We found the body of Jonathan Mzumara hanging from the roof at the sitting room, while bodies of the wife and son were found on the floor in a pool of blood," said Mulwa.

He adds that, the couple has been quarrelling since 2019, and that several attempts by family members to resolve their marital conflict did not yield any results

Police have identified the other two as; Mervis Kumwenda and 2-year-old Ian Mzumara.

Mental Health Expert Dr Ndumanene Silungwe says that believes that this is a sign of serious mental disorder.

“Government should focus on issues of men's mental health if we are to avoid suicidal cases in the country," said Silungwe.

All the three deceased hailed from Paramount Chief Kyungu’s area in Karonga.

Surge in Attacks by Street Connected Children Worries Communities

Some Malawians are complaining of an increase in attacks orchestrated by street connected children, especially in Blantyre city where they are causing panic among residents.

21-Year Jail Term for Robbing Guests at a Lodge in Mzuzu

Principal resident magistrate Clemence Chamwenda sitting at the Mzuzu court registry has sentenced six men to 21- years imprisonment with hard labour each, for robbing guests at Royal Gardens Lodge at Lubinga in the city on 4th August this year.

The six (jailed) and two others who are still at large, robbed property which included cellphones, laptops, clothes, and cash among others worth over 7 million Kwacha.

State prosecutor Assistant Superintendent Vickness chinseu Simwinga of Mzuzu police told the court on Wednesday this week, that the convicts had planned to commit the offense as they were equipped with panga knives, metal bars, camouflage clothes, and face masks.

“Your worship, these are dangerous criminals and they are a threat to the security of people such that they deserve a harder sentence,” said Assistant Superintendent Simwinga.

Of the six, four are ex-convicts while the other two are first offenders, and their plea for mercy from the court when sentencing was not entertained.

In his judgment, Principal Resident Magistrate Clemence Chamwenda said the crime the accused committed, has the potential to harm the business of the lodge.

Replied magistrate Chamwenda; “It has pleased this court to send you to jail for 21 years each. Your actions may have a negative impact on the lodge, as people will have trust issues with its security”.

Meanwhile, Mzuzu Police Spokesperson Inspector Paul Tembo has welcomed the judgment, saying this will motive the law enforcers in their zeal to combat crime in the city.

“The arrest and swift conviction of the six is an indication that the law enforcers have stepped up efforts in providing security in the city, after registering incidences of theft cases in the past months,” explained Inspector Tembo.

The six include Faduwik Chiwaya, Sam Kagunda, Precious Jonathan, Issa Ibrahim, Stonald Nkhoma, and Titus Chirwa.
 

UNCTAD Tips African Countries on Investments

A report by the United Nations Development Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has called on African leaders to champion the diversification of supply chains.

Titled “The Potential of Africa to Capture Technology-Intensive Global Supply Chains” UNCTAD in the report notes that Africa has potential to build resilience of supply chains due to a number of factors that include, presence of natural resources.

It however cites that, despite boasting an abundant supply of raw materials, most African nations are failing to utilize existing resources.

UNCTAD has made several suggestions on how African nations could leverage their strengths.

Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) economist, Dr Betchani Tcheleni agrees with the findings of the report.

“We are not getting action, action-oriented leadership is missing especially  here in Malawi. It is so sad to the extent that, we are exporting raw minerals like coal,” said Tcheleni.

In 2009, the African union put forward the Africa Mining Vision to ensure that Africa utilizes its mineral resources, a sector the report notes is slowly being implemented.
 
In the MW2063 development blueprint, private sector dynamism and industrialization are among key enablers.

National Planning Commission’s Communications Manager Thom Khanje said realizing the vision demands Malawi to produce more.

Khanje said; “The pillars focus on the importance of production and business to the growth of the economy and realization of the Malawi 2063 vision, findings of the report resonate with this vision.”

Minister of Trade and Industry, Simplex Chitchyola Banda is optimistic that strategies initiated by Government on value addition will spur growth of the economy.

“We are promoting special economic zones where we are developing industrial parks to do value additions,” he said.

Malawi is a net importer but a meagre percentage of her exports are concentrated in the green gold (tobacco) which is mostly exported raw.

Rumphi Residents Protest New Water Tariffs

Some traditional leaders and residents in Rumphi have asked Northern Region Water Board (NRWB) to reduce its 50% water tariffs increment to 36%.

Speaking during an engagement with the board yesterday executive director for Rumphi Residents Association Walika Mkandawire said that the 50% hike, is too high.

Mkandawire claimed that the board did not do thorough consultations on the matter before coming up with the new tariffs.

"The new tariffs are not affordable, have to be revised," said Mkandawire.

Mkandawire also raised the issue of poor hygiene at the board’s intake asking it to improve.

Acting chief executive officer for NRWB, Francis  Munthali turned down the request, saying that the high cost of commodities has pushed production high, hence previous tariffs were not sustainable.

He added; “The board considered a number factors such as; Covid-19, the war between Russia and Ukraine among others.”

On the issue of poor sanitation, Munthali committed to take action on the matter.

Rehabilitation of M5 Road Takes Off

First phase of rehabilitation works on a 60-kilometer stretch of the M5 road from Kaphatenga in Salima to Benga in Nkhotakota have taken off, with the contractor expressing hope the project will be completed within the set two years period.
 
The contractor, China Railway 20, they are focusing much of its efforts now on erecting bridges as they race against time to beat the rainy season, before embarking on the actual road.
 
“We want to first put up the bridges before the rains come. We hope to finish this in the coming few months before taking on the road itself.”
 
During a media tour organized the ministry of information to appreciate road construction projects in the central region, we found works on two bridges; Lipyozi and Navikoko on track, with diversions created.
 
There is also a major construction of a box culvert at Kamzanga stream, which is mostly cut off during rainy season.

The government of Malawi will spend K37 billion on the 60-kilometer stretch.  
 
DC for Salima James Mwenda who represented Nkhotakota and Salima district councils said that when completed the road section will address many challenges motorists face.
 
Other than this, he said communities in the two districts are also benefiting from the project.
 
“The works that you are seeing are largely done by the locals, Our people are being employed to work for the contractor,” said Mwenda.
 
The M5 road popularly known as the lake shore road, from Salima turn-off in Ntcheu to Nkhata-Bay, is in bad shape and has turned into a death trap for motorists.

The government plans to rehabilitate it in four phases, beginning with the Kaphatenga – Benga stretch, then from Benga to Dwangwa in Nkhotakota. The third phase will be from Dwangwa to Mkwiya in Nkhata-Bay and lastly from Kamuzu road in Salima to Ntcheu.
 
The government is currently looking for financiers for the remaining three phases.
 
Another road construction project we visited during the media tour is the Dzaleka-Ntchisi-Malomo road. Here one woman, Mary Ganizani, told us they face many challenges on this stretch.
 
Said Ganizani; “Our road is in bad shape, we struggle a lot to get to the hospital and we believe this project will help us a lot.”    
 
However, it was evident during the tour that, the fuel crisis the country is facing has taken a toll on the project.

The contractors for the two projects admitted that the fuel scarcity has slowed down progress. They, however said, government has assured them that they would be allowed to start importing fuel and cement.

For past two weeks, the Malawi has also been struggling with Cement shortages a thing attributed to forex challenges. This forced traders to hike prices of the commodity, from 11 000 Kwacha to around 20 000 Kwacha.

EU Pumps in K3.5 bn for 2025 Elections Preps

The European Union (EU) says it will provide 3 million euros (approximately K3.5 billion) towards the 2025 elections basket fund through its flagship Malawi Democratic Governance Programme.
 
EU ambassador to Malawi Rune Skinnebach told journalists in Lilongwe Thursday that the funds will be used to strengthen the capacity of Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), Malawi Police Service and civil society organizations to ably engage with stakeholders and the electorate in the electoral process.
 
Skinnebach says this is in a bid that Malawi should have a well-managed, inclusive and transparent electoral process.
 
“The EU wishes to support peaceful elections, reduce tensions and potential disputes regarding the electoral process by strengthening existing mechanisms contributing to conflict prevention and mitigation,” said Skinnebach.
 
He added that the EU will also support the participation of women, youths and persons with disabilities in the electoral process.
 
According to Skinnebach, the donor funds are only complementing the huge budget that the Malawi government will set aside for elections. He therefore called on the government to give MEC enough resources in preparations towards the forthcoming election.
 
“For the successful conduct of the 2025 tripartite elections, it is imperative that the government allocates sufficient financial resources to MEC in a timely manner, so that it can proceed with electoral preparations as needed."
 
The EU ambassador also disclosed that they will also continue to support other broader democratic governance initiatives including the National Registration Bureau (NRB) and Ministry of Local Government under its “Boma lathu programme”.
 
The NRB, he said, will receive 3 million euros through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to develop and roll out the first civil registration system while the Directorate of Civic Education in the Ministry of Local Government will also get 3 million euros to support civic education and increase public participation.
 
Recently, the UK Government also unveiled a contribution of 2 million pounds (approximately K2.5 billion) towards the Malawi Electoral Support Project to assist in the preparation for the forthcoming elections to be free, fair and credible. 

64 Hectares of Chitakale Pine Plantation Destroyed Within 2 Years

 
 
Authorities at Smallholder Tea Estate Company (STECO) in Mulanje have disclosed that close to 64 hectares of pine trees at their Chitakale Plantation have been illegally harvested by thieves from 2021.

Political Tension Nearly Disrupts Late Gondwe’s Burial Ceremony

The body of iconic economist cum politician Goodall Gondwe was buried yesterday and all the eulogies at the burial ceremony centered on celebrating his personal, educational, and political achievements.
 
Scores of people from within and abroad attended the sorrowful ceremony which earlier was threatened by rising political tension amongst political parties, but CCAP Synod of Livingstonia, family, former Vice President Khumbo Kachali, and Vice President Saulos Chilima emphasized that Gondwe deserved a proper send-off.
 
“Time for politicking is coming and we all know that. Let’s all of us keep in mind that we have come here to bury the great son of Malawi and he deserves a befitting send-off,” said Chilima before reading his eulogy.
 
Added Chilima: “When we go back to Lilongwe government will organize a conference where economists will review some of Gondwe's works, it is instrumental for the country.
 
“Goodall was a true definition of a good man. He was our father and mentor. Whenever you wanted him for advice, he was there.”
 
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) president Peter Mutharika described the late Gondwe as a great son of Malawi, after serving the country and international organizations including the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
 
“I met Goodall in 1959 at school. Since that time we have been together and worked closely in various setups. Family and the party have lost a great man,” said Mutharika.
 
Goodall Goodall was DPP’s vice president for the northern region.
 
Group Village Headman Kayiwononga told hundreds that gathered at the ceremony that their father, meaning late Gondwe, taught Kayiwonanga Village three things which included the promotion of unity, love and also having a spirit of hard work.

This was echoed by his daughter Tiwonge who spoke on behalf of her two brothers.
 
Born Goodall Edward Gondwe on 1 December 1936 in Mzimba, he breathed his last on 8 August 2023.
 

MALGA, CSAT Want District Council Chairpersons' Tenure Extended

The Malawi Local Government Association (MALGA) and Centre for Social Accountability (CSAT) have recommended for the extension of tenure of district council chairpersons to two and half, arguing one year is not enough to change things.

Luchenza Municipal Council Takes Court Route on Ground Rates Defaulters

The Luchenza municipal council in Thyolo has resolved to drag to court some ground rate defaulters owing it K32 million.

Umodzi Day Preparations Underway-Govt

The Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture, says preparations are underway to hold the 2023 national cultural celebration called Umodzi Day, aimed at uniting Malawians divided in tribal and political lines.

Communities Raise Hunger Fears in Chikwawa

Some communities in Chikwawa mainly from the areas of Group Village Headmen Masanduko and Mwananjobvu in the district have raised hunger fears indicating the situation has reached worrisome levels in their areas.

ICON Properties PLC Posts K16.7 Billion Profit

A construction company, Icon Properties PLC has announced posting K16.7 billion after tax profit in 2022 with a final total dividend of K1.6 billion to be given to shareholders.

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