News In Northern Region (503)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Man Dies after Tractor Overturns in Nkhata-Bay
A 33-year-old man identified as Oris Jeke has died in Nkhata-Bay after the horse of a tractor he was operating overturned and rested on him.
The accident, according to NKhata-Bay police spokesperson, Sergeant Kondwani James, occurred yesterday afternoon within Vizara Rubber plantation in the district.
"At the material time, Jeke was operating a company tractor registration number NB 8217 John Deere within South Chombe rubber plantation field with three passengers on board," said James.
He added that upon arrival at field 86, as he was descending a slope, a metal bar that joins a trailer to the horse (drawbar) got broken, leading to disconnection of the two parts.
James further added; "The trailer started rolling behind the horse and eventually hit the horse, forcing it to overturn, which in the end rested on him and following the impact, he sustained severe head and internal injuries."
Jeke hailed from Traditional Authority Mkumbira in the district. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at Nkhata-Bay District Hospital, while the three passengers sustained minor injuries and were treated at the same hospital as out-patients.
Kalua Appointed UN Resident Coordinator for Samoa
A Malawian Themba Kalua has been appointed as United Nations Resident Coordinator for Samoa, this according to a statement released on Monday on the United Nations website. Kalua who resumed his new role effective August 5th, becomes first Malawian in recent history to have moved that high in the UN hierarchy.
Apart from Samoa, he will also be coordinating UN Development operations in three other countries in the Pacific region block including Cooks Islands, Niue and Tokelau.
Before his appointment, kalua has worked for a number of UN organizations including UN Women in South Africa, Kenya, and New York.
He also worked for the UN Environment program, UNDP, and World Food Program WFP.
Kalua 43 says he is humbled with the appointment and has since encouraged Malawians especially the youths not to look down upon themselves but to aim high.
'Am greatly humbled by this appointment, and I promise to serve and represent my country well. Let me also encourage youths, that they should not look down upon themselves, they can achieve more, I did my primary and secondary education in public schools in Malawi, went to a public university, Polytechnic, now (MUBAS). And this should encourage someone that everyone has the potential to achieve more in life," Said Kalua.
Human rights and development advocate Michael Kaiyatsa says Kaluas appointment is a sign that Malawi as a country has something to offer to the world.
"As a country we should be proud of what this son of the soil and many others have achieved. This also tells that as a country we have people that are being competed for at the global level, and that Malawi has something to offer to the world," he said.
Among other roles, UN Resident Coordinators are responsible of leading the UN country team in the development, monitoring and reporting on the UN corporation framework; representing the UN at the highest levels of state and also coordinating UN system-wide support to government.
Currently the UN has 130 resident coordinators worldwide that are servicing 162 countries’ and territories.
Chakwera Implores Malawians to Work Hard
President Lazarus Chakwera has implored Malawians to embrace the culture of hard work for the country to develop, saying doing so would help in fulfilling provisions of the development blueprint, Malawi 2063.
Chirumba Barracks Roadblock Staying Put – Government
Government says it will not remove the checkpoint at Chirumba Barracks in Karonga where some traders have been complaining of mistreatment by soldiers when they transport their goods.
Local NGO to Vaccine 60,000 Pets in Mzimba North & Rumphi
A Mzuzu-based local non-organizational organisation called Center for Community Empowerment Initiative (CCEI) says it will provide anti-rabies vaccine to 60,000 pets like dogs in Rumphi and Mzimba North covering Mzuzu city by December this year.
CHREAA & SALC Pen President Chakwera to Pardon Best MSCE Students
The Centre for Human Rights Education, Assistance and Advice (CHREAA) and Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) have jointly written President Lazarus Chakwera to pardon two prisoners who have been selected to pursue various education careers with the country's public universities.
