News In Central Region (1315)
MDF Commander Claims Politicians, Government Officials Bribing Soldiers
The commander of the Malawi Defence Force, General Paul Valentino Phiri, claims that some top government officials, politicians and influential business persons are influencing and bribing MDF soldiers at check-points.
General Phiri said this at a press briefing in Lilongwe yesterday, where he addressed security issues in the country and clarification on issues surrounding the Chilumba roadblock.
The developments come following an outcry from communities surrounding Chirumba barracks in Karonga, that the MDF soldiers subject them to various forms of abuses when they are passing at the roadblock, which is manned by the soldiers.
General Phiri said these people engage in such acts in order to pass their goods at the check points.
He said MDF will report the perpetrators to the Anti-Corruption Bureau and other relevant authorities.
"The military is not a court, and we are not the police to arrest people. Unfortunately, we find people who have actually contravened certain statues of the country. What we do is hand them over to the appropriate stakeholders, who will be able to deal with them, and that is what we have done," explained General Phiri.
He further says that his institution will conduct a survey on why soldiers are being involved in such acts now.
"We are planning to conduct a survey, to establish why some soldiers are behaving like this, and intensify more on instilling discipline in our colleges. It is just a few individuals who may decide to be doing business in a very unusual way. Soldiering is about following what you have been directed and not doing your own things," he said.
Governance expert George Chaima says it is important for these influential people to let the law enforcers do their job without fear or favour.
"If that is the case, what everybody, including politicians, should know, is that we are putting our national security at stake, because security matters need to be managed professionally," said Chaima.
MCA Withdrawals DStv Services in Malawi
A legal battle between the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) and MultiChoice Malawi (MCM) over DStv tariffs’ adjustment has led to the withdrawal of DStv services in Malawi with immediate effect.
Area 18B Residents Mad after Damaged Sewer Pipe Goes Weeks Not Fixed
Residents of Area 18B in Lilongwe have expressed concern over unattended sewer pipe which leaked two months ago but the responsible authorities have turned a blind eye. According to the residents around the place, the sewer pipe has been producing a bad smell which forces the residents to always be indoors.
Misunderstandings Over Employment, Promotions Erupt in Civil Service
There is growing resentment in the corridors of the civil service where top technocrats are questioning a sudden pattern of what they call “unprocedural employment, promotions and redeployments”.
Anti-Same Sex Marriages Petition Not Yet Tabled in Parliament
Barely a month after petitioning the government to protect the what they called sacred institution of marriage, some religious bodies say they are optimistic that their petition will be tabled in parliament before the current sitting winds up.
Debt Stifles Implementation of MW 2063
A country Climate and Development Report by the World Bank says Malawi’s rising debt could stifle efforts to implement the national development blueprint - Malawi 2063 - especially in financing climate-change-related actions.
Jehovah’s Witness Convention Returns to Lilongwe
After a three-year pandemic pause, one of the largest convention organizations in the world has once again chosen Lilongwe to host its global three-day event, the 2023 “Exercise Patience”! Convention.
ZBS Celebrates with NPL On 30th Anniversary
Nation Publications Limited (NPL) says it looks forward to 30 more years of learning, teaching and delivery in service of the country as it celebrates 30 years in the news industry.
Conservation Of Environment A Need To the Youths
A local organization Kuwala has tipped the youths in the country to always take issues concerning conservation of the environment at heart.
Vicious Dog Kills Toddler in Lilongwe
The family of a 10-year-old girl who was killed by a guard dog at Crossroads complex in Lilongwe has moved to open a case against the dog handler and his company.
