MANAonline
Kalindo acquitted of inciting violence
By Ernest Mfunya
Mangochi, July 9, Mana: Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrate court on Tuesday acquitted Bon Elias Kalindo on a case of inciting violence during the November 30, 2023 anti-government demonstrations which took place in the district on grounds that the state failed to provide strong evidence on the matter.
The human rights activist was arrested a few days after the demonstrations following complaints that people suspected of being part of the demonstrations turned violent and destroyed property after presenting the petition.
Senior Resident Magistrate Muhammad Maxwell Chande said it was on record that Kalindo organized the demonstration and that some property, including government's property, were damaged.
However, Chande said the court failed to link between what happened during the demonstrations to have been caused by the accused person.
“The court finds that the state has failed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt. What the accused did was to exercise his human right,” said Chande.
Speaking to media after the acquittal, Kalindo commended the judiciary in the country for being independent, transparent and for ensuring justice during his trial.
The 48-year-old activist was accused of inciting violence that led to destruction of 11 vehicles, belonging to government and public servants, which were parked at the District Education Management Office.
Kalindo pleaded not guilty to the allegation which forced the state to parade four witnesses to prove the case.
Kalindo, through his legal representation, Smart Khalifa, made bail application but the state objected claiming if the accused was given bail he would tamper with evidence. He was, however, granted bail.
Women prayer group donates to Kasungu prison
By Richard Kagunda
Kasungu, July 9, Mana: Christian women under World Women's Day of Prayers on Monday donated assorted items to Kasungu Prison to cheer up inmates as the country celebrated 60 years of independence.
Chairlady for the group, Eness Chilipapa, said they decided to donate the items to the prison because the bible tells them to be generous and cheerful to those that are going through trying times.
“The bible says if we do not carry out charitable works, the Lord will rebuke us on judgement day for not having done enough as Christians.
“The bible is clear that the Lord will remind us that He was hungry but we did not feed Him; He was naked but we did not give Him clothes to wear and that He was a prisoner and we did not cheer Him up and that is exactly why we decided to do this,” Chilipapa said.
She appealed to the public to spare some time to visit prisons and at least donate whatever they can afford to.
“One does not need to be a millionaire for him or her to donate to inmates. Sometimes we waste foodstuffs while inmates are starving and we throw away clothes that could be donated and be used by the inmates,” she said.
Officer in-Charge for Kasungu Prison, Risted Mabeti, expressed gratitude to the World Women's Day of Prayer for what he dubbed as a timely donation.
“I would like to applaud World Women's Day of Prayer for this donation which we did not expect. It is always our desire that inmates should go back home with a healthy life after completing their sentences.
“The number of inmates here is always rising and we feel good when people like these come to assist us,” Mabeti said.
The donated items included soap, maize, salt, soya pieces, beans, plates, cups and bibles, amounting to K1.5 million.
Kasungu prison is one of the most congested correctional facilities with at least 706 inmates against a capacity 200.
Public works programme brings significant environmental assets to Mchinji
By Vincent Khonje
Mchinji, July 9, Mana: The third cycle of the Climate-Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CSEPWP) has culminated in the creation of substantial environmental protection assets in Mchinji.
The cycle has seen participants engaged in the construction of check dams, swales, stone bunds, contour marker ridges and the protection of naturally regenerating forests from bushfires, among others.
Chairperson of Wi-Fi Catchment Management Committee, Innocent Mtema, expressed satisfaction with the progress in an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Tuesday.
"The implementation of the third cycle has gone on well, with participants producing durable assets to protect the environment. These structures have been done on time. We are hopeful that they will help reduce land degradation and soil loss due to water runoff during rainy season,” Mtema said.
The programme's success is echoed by a participant from Kamphoro catchment, Salani Mbewe, who praised the effective supervision by extension workers during implementation.
"The cycle implementation was well done as supervision from extension workers was thorough. Because of their guidance, we were able to come up with proper structures to conserve the environment," Mbewe said.
CSEPWP desk officer for Mchinji, Rhoda Njikho, expressed satisfaction with the implementation emphasising the participants' active involvement and commitment to the project's goals.
"This time, the job has been well implemented. We have good assets on the ground and of good quality. Almost 99 percent of the participants enrolled and worked in both paid and community contribution works," Njikho said.
The structures built, such as stone bunds, check dams and swales, are crucial in managing water flow, preventing soil erosion and maintaining soil fertility while the protection of naturally regenerating forests from bushfires is vital for preserving biodiversity and ensuring sustainable land use.
By involving local communities in constructing and maintaining these assets, the programme not only addresses environmental challenges but also provides economic opportunities as they earn money through wages after a cycle.
CSEPWP is a Social Support for Resilient Livelihood Programme (SSRLP) component and is supported by the World Bank and Multi Donor Trust Fund.
Malawi still faces nutrition challenges
By Tione Andsen
Lilongwe, July 9, Mana: Associate Professor on Human Nutrition at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Prof. Alexander Kalimbira, said disclosed that the country is not doing well in terms of nutrition as indicators are worrisome.
He made the observation Tuesday at Capital Hotel in Lilongwe when he presented a paper on Malawi’s Food Systems Transformation in the content of Nutrition and diets during the stakeholders’ consultation meeting on Resilience of the Food Systems Transformation in Malawi.
Kalimbira said as a results the current stunting prevalence stands at above 30 percent which is high regarding World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations.
He added that micronutrient deficiency is prevalent with lack of key minerals such as zinc, selenium, vitamins, growing problem of overweight and obesity.
The Associate Professor said the picture does not look good at the moment and key stakeholders need to focus to understand why the problem is still lingering in the country and what would be the possible solutions to it.
“We have wide range of stakeholders in the meeting which includes government, civil society organizations and research institutions which need to bang their heads in identifying the real problems, “Kalimbira said.
He noted that the country has made some strides in the past but nutrition problems are still bouncing back which calls for a thorough interrogation of the situation.
“We demonstrated before that if we put our acts together to reduce different forms of malnutrition, the issue of stunting levels was reduced over the years but we are not accelerating at the recommended rate,” Kalimbira noted.
He recalled that micronutrients deficiency was very high 24 years ago and reduction rate is worrying.
“We have faced a number of challenges since 2020/2021 like COVID-19, cholera, cyclones, economic challenges which have put a huge weight on resilience food systems to test,” the Professor said.
He said the country has demonstrated that it is capable to dealing with its own problems.
In 2001, Vitamin A deficiency prevalence rate was at 59 percent for under-five children, while in 2009 it was reduced to 22 percent and 2015/2016 it was reduced to four percent.
The reduction has been attributed to good working coordination
Kalimbira said depending on good will with partners, the country is looking at the problem and coming up with practical solutions.
Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition, Prof. Nafees Meah, said Irish Aid is funding a project on resilience of food systems transformation in Ethiopia, Sierra Leon and Malawi
He said the programme is holding meetings and seminars to find out what challenges the three countries are facing in implementing their food systems.
Rotary club partners CLI to support vulnerable communities
By Moses Nyirenda
Lilongwe, July 9, Mana: Rotary Club of Bwaila-Lilongwe has partnered with Child Legacy International (CLI) to expand its work of supporting vulnerable communities in the country.
This comes after the club, on Monday, visited CLI Centre at Msundwe in Lilongwe to appreciate some of the works being carried out at the Centre including provision of free healthcare to members of the communities surrounding the Centre.
Rotary Club of Bwaila-Lilongwe President, Innocent Mofolo, said what CLI is doing is in line with the club’s focus areas hence their interest to partner with the organization.
“What CLI is doing exemplifies the rotary spirit; rotary has seven focus areas and CLI has all those areas mainly; disease prevention and treatment, sanitation, economic empowerment, justice and agriculture,” Mofolo said.
He said, through the newly formed partnership, Rotary Club of Bwaila-Lilongwe and CLI are eager to serve vulnerable communities through economic empowerment, disease prevention, maternal and child health, among other things.
Through the partnership, the two institutions would like to ensure that vulnerable people as well as communities in the country are well served.
“The motive of our partnership is to serve together. Rotary is service above self and, therefore, we want to serve those that are less privileged,” he said.
CLI Co-founder, who is also Chief Executive Officer for the organization, Jeff Rodgers, hailed the partnership between his organization and Rotary Club of Bwaila-Lilongwe.
“Child Legacy is honored to be part of Rotary Club of Bwaila-Lilongwe. We are happy to be part of what the rotary club is doing to help develop this country and bring quality life to people,” Rodgers said.
During the visit, Rotary Club of Bwaila-Lilongwe inducted Jeff Rodgers as its honorary member alongside a data scientist and healthcare worker, Laura Munthali, who was also inducted as Rotary Club of Bwaila-Lilongwe member.
Karonga journalists cheer patients during independence celebrations
By George Mponda
Karonga, July 9, Mana: Members of Karonga Press Club (KPC) celebrated Malawi's 60th Independence anniversary by donating assorted items to patients at Karonga District Hospital on Monday.
In an interview after the donation KPC Chairperson, Adams Wundaninge, said the Club wanted to extend their support to the community by donating essential items to the maternity wing and pediatric wards of Karonga District Hospital.
"Members of the club contributed money and we purchased soap, soya pieces and salt among others which have been distributed we commemorate our independence.
"As journalists, we are aware of the importance of safe motherhood. The club's initiative aims to enhance hygiene and nutrition among new mothers and their infants by addressing critical needs within the hospital," Wundaninge said.
He expressed the group's intentions to continue contributing positively to communities in Karonga.
Director of Health and Social Services for Karonga, David Sibale, said the donation will go a long way in ensuring better hygiene and nutrition for patients.
"This initiative by KPC not only celebrates Malawi's independence but also reinforces the spirit of community support and care, setting a positive example for others to follow," Sibale said.
New market shed to boost local revenue mobilization in Chiradzulu
By Blackson Mkupatira
Chiradzulu, July 9, Mana: Director of Finance for Chiradzulu District Council, Henderson M'mangeni, says construction of a K34 million market shed at Yasin Market under the World Bank Funded Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) project will enhance the council’s revenue collection.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Monday, M'mangeni said many markets in the district have limited infrastructure which affects the council's ability to collect market fees due to market vendors’ resistance.
“We have been failing to meet our local revenue targets because vendors boycotted paying market fees long time ago due to poor market infrastructure.
“Since the construction of the shed was one of the conditions for them to start paying, I am optimistic that this will increase the revenue the council is currently generating,” he said.
M'mangeni disclosed that the Council plans to construct more market sheds and sanitation facilities, such as toilets and waste management structures, as one way of providing better services to the people of Chiradzulu and promoting hygiene.
“Let me also urge vendors to cooperate with the Council in paying market fees. This revenue is crucial for providing various community services, including the supervision and monitoring of developmental projects, expenses for chiefs and council meetings," he said.
Secretary for Yasin Market Committee, Paul Yohane, thanked the Council for constructing the new market facility, saying it is a facelift to the market and timely as the shed has been constructed before the rainy season.
“People were selling under an old market shed which is in a dilapidated state and posed a threat to lives of those that ply their trade there. It could collapse at any moment," Yohane said.
One of the dry fish vendors at Yasin Market, Easter Manda, appealed to the Council to speed up the handover process so that they could start trading under the new facility before rainy season begins.
“In the rainy season, we lose money as business is suspended and some of our goods are damaged by leaking roof of the old shed. That is why we have been asking for construction of the new shed," said Manda, adding that she is now be willing to pay market fees.
Government condemns continues abuse of Social media
By Sheminah Nkhoma
Lilongwe, July 9, Mana: Minister of Information and Digitalization, who is also Government Spokesperson, Moses Kunkuyu has condemned continued abuse of social media by some individuals who are deliberately engaging in misinformation and disinformation aimed at injuring innocent individuals and institutions.
A press statement from the ministry signed by the minister says government has noted with concern the increasing incidences of peddling of fake news on social media which has seen unscrupulous people creating fake news, fake pages, altering publications and pages among others.
Some people have, recently, been sharing fake article purporting that the government is unhappy with Catholic Bishops for apparently not participating in the National Service of Worship to mark Malawi’s 60th Independence anniversary held on Saturday at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe,” reads the statement in part.
“Therefore government wishes to remind the public that it has the right to protect every individual and institution against deliberate and malicious attacks through false posts on social media as that such acts are unacceptable, illegal and punishable under the laws of Malawi,” reads the statement in part.
Ministry of Information and Digitalization has, therefore, called for unity of purpose and patriotism from all citizenry as the country continues to celebrate 60 years of independence.
Man throws two biological children into deep well
By Naomi Langisi
Lilongwe, July 9, Mana: Lilongwe in Lilongwe, are keeping in custody a 32-year-old man for allegedly throwing his two biological children into a 30-meter deep well.
The children are a girl, 8, and a boy, 4, with intention of killing them, but miraculously survived a three-day stay, over disagreements with his wife, at Matapa Village in Likuni location in the district on July 6, 2024.
Lilongwe Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Hastings Chigalu Monday said the suspect has been identified as Aubrey Madzinkusamba.
“On July 4, 2024 the suspect quarreled with his wife over family matters, and agreed to divorce each other. Then, fearing that after the divorce the wife will go away with the kids, the suspect planned to kill them so that neither the wife, nor him, benefit possession of the children,” he explained.
The PRO added that, “Without his wife knowing, same day, Madzinkusamba took the kids, and threw them into an unused 30-metre deep well, near Nkhalango Clinic within Likuni area, for the children to die.”
However, the sudden missing of the children brought suspicion to the mother.
Each time she asked for the whereabouts of the children, the suspect kept on saying that kids were safe somewhere.
So, after failing to trace the kids at any of their relations and friends' homes for three days, the wife decided to report the matter to Chinsapo Police Unit, where detectives detained, and grilled the man.
After hours of denying knowledge, he later revealed that he killed the children by throwing them into a well, so that none of them should have custody of the kids after divorce.
Immediately, the law enforcers, led by the suspect, rushed to the scene where they found the kids still holding on to their breath, with their heads just above the waters.
Police, jointly with members of the community, used a bucket that was tied to ropes, to hook the kids to safety, one by one. Immediately, they were rushed to Bwaila District Hospital for medical attention, and later referred to Kamuzu Central Hospital, where they are currently admitted.
Madzinkusamba who hails from Kasiya Village, Traditional Authority (TA) Khongoni in Lilongwe and will appear in court soon to answer a case of attempted murder.
DPP advices people to register for national IDs
By Emily Kaliwo
Chiradzulu, July 9, Mana: Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has advised people in Chiradzulu District to register for the national Identification Cards for them to be in eligible to vote during next year’s tripartite elections.
DPP Regional Governor for the South, Thomson Kamangira made the remarks Monday at Nguludi Boys Primary School ground in Traditional Authority (TA) Likoswe where the party organized a mega rally with the intension to monitor Member of Parliament’s (MPs) performance.
“We want to encourage all the youth who are above 16 years old to go and register for national IDs regardless of challenges they are facing in this country for them to have an opportunity to vote in the 2025 general elections,” he said.
Kamangira added that without the ID nobody would be allowed to register in the voter’s roll and consequently denied the right to vote.
The Governor said it would be better if MPs would consider changing the constitution so that national IDs should not be the only document to allows a person to vote but also think of other items like the driver’s license or a letter from the chief, among others, to enable those who had no opportunity to register for the national ID to vote in such elections.
He thanked MP for Chiradzulu Central, McTimes Malowa for being instrumental in spearheading various development projects in the constituency.
“Let me advise people gathered to remain in the party with their MP for them to be in a better position to change things in the country through their vote in 2025,” Kamangira said.
Senior Chief Likoswe urged Malowa to report to President about the hunger situation that has affected his area.
“Food insecurity is the biggest challenge in my area. People are stranded as you aware that they came empty handed from their fields due to drought,” he said.
In his remarks, Malowa thanked his constituents for working closely with him for the past five years and promised to fulfill all his campaign promises regardless of what has already been achieved.
Notable people who attended the rally which was spiced by performances from Phalombe’s Gibo Pearson and King James Phiri included DPP Secretary General, Dr. Clement Mwale, DPP’s Director of Women, Mary Mainja and MP for Chiradzulu South, Joseph Mwanamvekha.
