Two severely injured in Ntchisi road accident

Two people have been seriously injured in a road accident in Ntchisi district.The accident happened on Thursday, May 5 2016 at Masekere Village along Malomo- Kapangama earth road in the district.road accidentPolice have identified the two victims as Blessings Sikayenela aged 34 of Chibungu Village and Maria Chizanja aged 18 of Mfitizalimba Village, all from Traditional Authority Chilooko in Ntchisi.Traffic police report indicate that the driver, Benjamin Zaidi aged 29 of Kwendanguwo Village, T/A Kapelula in Kasungu, was driving a motor vehicle registration number NB 1143 Isuzu pick up from direction of Malomo heading Masekere Trading Centre along Malomo- Kapangama earth road.Before reaching Masekere Trading Centre at a curved corner the driver hit a female pedal cyclist Maria Chizanja who was cycling towards the same direction.Following the impact a pilion passenger Blessings Sikayenela sustained a fracture on the right leg while the rider escaped with minor injuries and all are admitted to Ntchisi District Hospital.

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MALAWI COURT ASKED TO DISCHARGE EX-PRESIDENT MULUZI: PROSECUTORS WITHDRAW FROM CASE

Prosecutors in the ongoing ‘K1.7 billion’ ($2.5 million) corruption case involving former president Bakili Muluzi have withdrawn from the high profile case, prompting the state to ask Judge Maclean Kamwambi to discharge Muluzi. The surprise turn of events happened when the court met Thursday at the High Court in Blantyre. Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) deputy director Reyneck Matemba who is the lead prosecutor and his colleague State lawyer Chrispin Khunga who were prosecuting the case asked Judge Kamwambe to stand aside from the case just as the court session was to start. Since trial resumed on April 11 2016 over K100 million has been deducted from the K1.7 billion Muluzi and his co-accused, Lyness Violet Whiskey, are accused to have fraudulently acquired. Whiskey is a former personal assistant to Muluzi and was handling bank transactions like deposits of the former president when he was in power. Government initially claimed Muluzi’s corruption case stemmed from donor money in his account but former president has always denied wrong doing saying no foreign country would deposit donor money in a personal account. He claimed the case was trumped up for political reasons. Since the nine-year-old case resumed on April 11 2016, the defence expressed optimism that the figures will be deducted to zero from the K1.7 billion. After prosecutors asked to quit the case, apparently due to lack of objective material evidence, Judge Kamwambe went ahead and granted them the application, signalling that the state has abandoned the case. Judge Kamwambe pointed out that the state prosecution “ is in total disarray in this case.” “Before I make my own opinion on the matter let me ask the defence the application it wants to make,” he said. Tamando Chokotho private practise lawyer for the former president Muluzi applied to the same court to discharge Muluzi and his co-accused Whiskey. However, the judge said he would make the ruling another day. Chokotho said it was senseless to proceed with the case when the state had abandoned the case. The case has been dragging for 17 years now and the move by the state to pull out of the case will bring in mixed reactions on the government fight against graft.

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MALAWI COURT ASKED TO DISCHARGE EX-PRESIDENT MULUZI: PROSECUTORS WITHDRAW FROM CASE

Prosecutors in the ongoing ‘K1.7 billion’ ($2.5 million) corruption case involving former president Bakili Muluzi have withdrawn from the high profile case, prompting the state to ask Judge Maclean Kamwambi to discharge Muluzi. The surprise turn of events happened when the court met Thursday at the High Court in Blantyre. Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) deputy director Reyneck Matemba who is the lead prosecutor and his colleague State lawyer Chrispin Khunga who were prosecuting the case asked Judge Kamwambe to stand aside from the case just as the court session was to start. Since trial resumed on April 11 2016 over K100 million has been deducted from the K1.7 billion Muluzi and his co-accused, Lyness Violet Whiskey, are accused to have fraudulently acquired. Whiskey is a former personal assistant to Muluzi and was handling bank transactions like deposits of the former president when he was in power. Government initially claimed Muluzi’s corruption case stemmed from donor money in his account but former president has always denied wrong doing saying no foreign country would deposit donor money in a personal account. He claimed the case was trumped up for political reasons. Since the nine-year-old case resumed on April 11 2016, the defence expressed optimism that the figures will be deducted to zero from the K1.7 billion. After prosecutors asked to quit the case, apparently due to lack of objective material evidence, Judge Kamwambe went ahead and granted them the application, signalling that the state has abandoned the case. Judge Kamwambe pointed out that the state prosecution “ is in total disarray in this case.” “Before I make my own opinion on the matter let me ask the defence the application it wants to make,” he said. Tamando Chokotho private practise lawyer for the former president Muluzi applied to the same court to discharge Muluzi and his co-accused Whiskey. However, the judge said he would make the ruling another day. Chokotho said it was senseless to proceed with the case when the state had abandoned the case. The case has been dragging for 17 years now and the move by the state to pull out of the case will bring in mixed reactions on the government fight against graft.

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NORTHERN MALAWI SAYS “YES” TO CHAKWERA

Malawians from northern part of this Country have joined their hands together to support and work with Malawi Congress Party(MCP) under Leadership of Reverend Lazarous Chakwera. Speaking during funeral ceremony of former Party’s District Chairperson, Mr Simkonde, on Thursday afternoon in Chitipa, some locals in the district thanked Chakwera for sparing his time to attend the funeral. They further called leadership of Chakwera as unparalleled, and therefore they called on other Malawians to give their support to him. “Your support to the Late Chair when he was sick gives hope to us and what more with the cow you gave the people to eat during the funeral? Fellow Malawians you should work with bwana Chakwera,” said some Locals. In his speech, the President for MCP described the death of Simkonde as the big loss to both his family and to the Party. He then asked people to continue showing love for each other before everything else. “Let me urge the people to continue showing love towards each other and brotherly love should come first even before our parties and political associations,” said the President. Chakwera added on, that the death of Simkonde should make Malawians to be united. “The departure of our fellow member should not divide us but bind us together as we work to regain a prosperous Malawi for all,” uttered Chakwera. Simkonde died after short illness and until his death he was Chitipa District Chairperson for Malawi’s main opposition (MCP).

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Farmers blamed for low tobacco prices ®The Tobacco Control Commission (TCC) in the Northern region has blamed tobacco farmers for taking to the auction poor quality tobacco which attracts low prices.This follows complaints from the farmers that their tobacco is being bought at low prices and that there is a high rejection rate.But TCC Manager for the Northern region Paul Mwambagi said the problems are due to overproduction of tobacco and poor quality.TobaccoTobacco farmers get the blame.“The low prices and the high rejection rates are emanating from the production of too much tobacco and poor quality,” said Mwambagi.He added that their company is making strides to sensitize the farmers on the importance of bringing to the market high quality tobacco which attracts high prices.Mwambagi further said that despite various awareness campaigns, farmers are still taking poor quality tobacco to the auction.

When he opened the auction floors in Lilongwe, President Mutharika pleaded with tobacco buyers to offer better prices to the farmers but this has been a mere plea as farmers are still worried over low prices and high rejection rates.

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Man netted for ‘selling’ chamba at Morgan Heritage show Police have arrested Emmanuel Hara 31, for being found in possession of 10 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa locally known as chamba during the Jamaican reggae group Morgan Heritage Music Unite concert last Saturday at CIVO Stadium in Lilongwe. Lilongwe Police Station Spokesperson, Inspector Kingsley Dandaula told the Malawi News Agency (Mana) that Police crew were monitoring and providing security at the of Grammy award Morgan Heritage show when they met the suspect displaying the illicit drug.marijuana“The suspect was actually displaying and moving around the stadium inviting people to buy him the stuff,” said Dandaula and confirmed that the Police immediately arrested and took him to Lilongwe Police Station for further action.Meanwhile the suspected Chamba has been sent to Chitedze Research Station for tests and if it is genuine Indian hemp, the suspects will answer charges of being in possession of Indian hemp contrary to Dangerous Drugs Act.

An estimated crowd of 15,000 turned up at the show where fans were treated to a fully-fledged performance.Morgan Heritage performed in the country in December 2015 where they used backtracks which disappointed fans but this time around they gave fans what they expected.Hara hails from Mzikubola village in the area of Traditional Authority Mzikubola in Mzimba district.

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4 men jailed for theft The Liwonde first grade magistrate court has convicted four men for breaking into a house and stealing household items. Machinga police publicist identified the convicts people are: Pilirani Phiri, 18, Aubrey White, 18, Samson Batumeo, 23, and Victor Aufi, 19.crime (2)During the hearing, state prosecutor of Ezekiel Kalunga told the court that on 14 April this year the criminals broke into the house of Jean Chinoko, a resident of Liwonde. The thugs managed to walk away with Samsung plasma screen, three decoders, laptop, laptop bag, DVD Player, two electric irons, dongle and Hisense sub-woofer all valued at 400 thousand Kwacha.Prosecutor Kalunga asked for a stiff punishment for the robbers, arguing that they committed a serious offence and brought fear to the entire community. Passing her judgment, first grade magistrate Esther Phiri slapped Pilirani Phiri and Aubrey White to 10 years imprisonment each while Batumeo and Aufi were given three years imprisonment with hard labour each.Both Phiri and Aufi hails from Ng’ombe Village, Batumeo is from Kapita village Traditional Authority (TA) Nsamala while White hails from Nsamati village TA Kalembo in Balaka district.

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Govt warns councillors over loan facility

Malawi government through the ministry of local government and rural development has warned councillors to be faithful in repaying their loans.Government approved a loan of MK1 million kwacha for each councillor to enable the politicians to purchase motorbikes as a way of solving mobility challenge.Kondwani NankhumwaNankhumwa: Issues a stern warning.Speaking at the launch of the loan on Tuesday, minister of local government and rural development Kondwani Nakhumwa said government looks forward to get back all the money.“This is a good move to go by, as government we will try that we recover back the money,” said Nankhumwa. “This 1 million kwacha is not a gift.”Government expects to recover back the money from each councillor in a period of 33 months and the loans have a ten percent interest rate.Malawi has 462 councillors which means government is to spend MK462 million on the loans.

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A construction worker was hit by a boom of crane and died. °

John Grant, a construction worker is dead and we thought that he have been struck by boom of crane he was operating. A construction worker who died in an incident on the Queensferry Crossing has been named by police. John Grant Cousin, 62, died in an incident on the north tower of the under-construction bridge on Thursday last week. It is understood Mr Cousin, from Northumbria, was struck by the boom of a crane he was directing. A second man was hurt in the incident but his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening. Police Scotland said Mr Cousin’s family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and support at this sad time. The force said it was working with the Health and Safety Executive as they continue to investigate the death. The death of this construction worker came as a surprise as nobody believed the news to be true.

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Malawi Government provides 24/7 surveillance on albino People living with albinism will now be protected by Malawi Government after introducing 24/7 surveillance on them according to Mutharika. State President Professor Peter Mutharika has warned that his administration will deal accordingly with those associated with the killings and abductions of albinos which he noted has brought fear and insecurity among people living with albinism. Speaking when he meet with the Executive body of the Association of People with Albinism in Malawi (APAM) Prof Mutharika assured that he won’t tolerate this malpractice which has created fear and panic among persons with albinism their relations and friends. Professor Mutharika explained that the Malawi Government has intensified surveillance and investigations against this criminal behaviour which is a threat to the most fundamental human rights as stipulated by the Constitution. “This is evil and a threat to the most fundamental human rights in our Constitution. And we will deal accordingly with those that are associated with these barbaric acts” Cautioned Mutharika. Thursday’s meeting with the Executive body of APAM follow reports of continued killings, abduction, assaults and trespassing of graveyards of people with albinism. To date 66 cases have been reported with the arrest of 69 suspects who are being prosecuted and necessitated this interface in a bid to find lasting solutions aimed at bringing to an end the acts which the State President described as evil and barbaric. He reiterated his government’s stance in the fight against those perpetrating attacks on albinos which he said have spread all over the country and urged people to report all suspected cases to the police. Besides the extra gear on part of the police, a Taskforce comprising officials from the Ministries of Home Affairs, Justice, Gender OPC and intelligence personnel has been instituted to report to him any progress made. The State President observed that although 12 successful convictions have been made this should not give room for complacency as the killings and adductions posed a threat to people’s human rights. APAM President Boniface Massa bemoaned the attacks and killings of its members which he observed is making them live in perpetual fear. Massa emphasized that looking at the patterns the trend has taken the albino population in the country faced a threat of being wiped out.

He nonetheless pointed out that he is happy with the formation of the taskforce which he hoped will bring better solutions and bring an end to the malpractice. Among others Massa cited the country’s education system and stigma and discrimination as some of the challenges ranking high among albinos in the country which needed urgent address. “The other biggest challenge is stigma and discrimination and name calling”. “People are calling us money; millions and this is fueling the attacks. We call upon your government your Excellency to seriously look upon this issue of name calling to be a punishable element in our country”. Appealed Massa. He noted that this has adversely affected them and excluded their participation in the country’s development. So far Malawi has reported 14 cases of kidnappings, 6 of killings, 28 of grave tampering, 3 of assault, 12 of people found with human bones and 1 of conduct likely to cause breach of peace.

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Lawyer Kasambara banned! Malawi’s former Justice Minister Ralph Kasambara who is currently answering charges related to the Cashgate scandal has been banned from practicing law in all courts of the country.The lawyer is missing on the list of accredited lawyers approved by Malawi Law Society (MLS) released on May 1st this year. Ralph KasambaraOut of the list of accredited lawyers.MLS President John Suzi Banda said the listed lawyers are ‘the only ones allowed to handle legal matters in courts.’Kasambara’s questionable status, started when he was accused of abducting and using mob justice that left some people he accused of being hired assailants battling for their life.He is now answering charges of attempted murder of former budget director Paul Mphwiyo. Kasambara together with his co-accused in Mphwiyo’s murder case MacDonald Kumwembe was condemned to prison for 4 months for contempt having labeled Judge Michael Mtambo a ‘modern day Robin-hood’.The development raised questions over Kasambara’s credibility to handle legal matters in Malawian courts.

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Malawi government to procure solar pumps In a bid to ensure food security Malawi, government says it has plans to buy and install solar pumps in various areas in the country. George ChapondaSays the development is welcome: ChapondaMinister of agriculture, irrigation and water development George Chaponda said the areas targeted are those that have more water.”We are planning to procure and install solar pumps in areas across the country in order to intensify irrigation farming,” said Chaponda•

He added that this plan will bail Malawi from food insecurity and ensure that farmers are self-dependence.Chaponda further said that if 75 percent of the project will be a success then Malawi will be at a better place to be food secure• This year, many Malawians did not have bumper harvests because of the dry spells that hit most of the parts of the country.Currently, people in Karonga and some parts of Mzuzu are experiencing the pinch of floods which came due to heavy rains.

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©Hospital user fees: adults to pay over K1000 Malawians, many of whom live on less than a dollar a day, will now have to pay more than K1,000 every time they access medical services at public hospitals.Kamuzu Central HospitalMalawians to pay in public hospitals. According to reports reaching , a child accessing medical services at government owned hospitals will be charged K750 while adults will have to fork out K1,650.The user fees will be introduced from July this year, according to minister of health Peter Kumpalume.Kumpalume said in an interview that the ministry has finished working on the policy and they are waiting for cabinet approval.

”We are waiting for cabinet approval and this is in line with the public reforms which were introduced.“We want to make the health sector more efficient and hospitals should generate funds on their own through the fee that people will be paying when they want to access the medical services and will also want to improve the conditions in the government hospitals,” said Kumpalume.

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