MANAonline
ADMARC starts selling maize in Rumphi
By Thula Chisamba
Rumphi, January 10, Mana: People in Rumphi can now afford a smile as the Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (ADMARC) has started selling maize in the district's depots.
Locals in the district have expressed their happiness at the opportunity to buy maize at affordable prices having struggled to access the staple grain due to scarcity and high prices on the market.
Before ADMARC opened the market in the district, maize was selling at a minimum of K1000 per kilogram (kg) which made it difficult for low income earners to access it.
Spot checks conducted, on Friday, days after ADMARC opened its markets in the district established that vendors have reduced their prices to K900 per kg while ADMARC is selling at K790 per kilogram.
One of the buyers, Selifa Kaonga who came from Chatumbwa Village, Traditional Authority Chikulamayembe, expressed her excitement at the development.
"I am so happy that ADMARC has started selling maize here in Rumphi," she said. "I was struggling to find maize on the market, and even when I did, the prices were too high. But now, I can buy maize at a price that I can afford," said Kawonga.
In an interview on Friday, Rumphi Boma ADMARC depot committee secretary, Chrispin Msumba said that the depot has received a large consignment of maize, which is being sold to the public at a subsidized price.
"We are happy to announce that we have started selling maize at this depot. Since we commenced the exercise on Monday, we have not registered any serious challenges.
"We understand the struggles that people have been facing in accessing maize, and we are committed to ensuring that everyone has access to this staple food," said Msumba.
He also warned vendors against buying maize from their depot in order to resell to people at higher prices.
Nsanje’s ex-Makhanga inhabitants appeal for an irrigation scheme
By Robert Nayeja
Nsanje, January 10, Mana: People who relocated from flood flood-prone areas of Makhanga to Milton Village, Traditional Authority Mbenje in Nsanje have appealed to government to construct an irrigation scheme so that they can be food secure.
Group Village head (GVH) Kalonga appealed on Thursday on behalf of her subjects when a high-level delegation from the British High Commission in Malawi, USAID and Department of Disaster Management Affairs, (DoDMA) officials visited the relocated community.
GVH Kalonga said that despite their settling at the upper land, her subjects have been hit hard by hunger following last year's dry spell.
“We have farmland at Makhanga but it is in water due to rising levels of water in Shire River,” she added.
She said once the scheme is constructed, families will be able to grow crops more than once a year, adding this will contribute to food security at the household level.
GVH Kalonga assured the delegation that the community will never go back to Makhanga after going through devastating floods every year.
She therefore praised a non-governmental organization called Give Direct for supporting the community with startup money which the community used to build houses at the new settlement area.
On this note, the British Deputy High Commissioner in Malawi, Olympia Wereko-Brobby, commended the community for using the donation wisely.
“I am impressed the way the community build its resilient following the effects of Cyclone Freddy,” she added.
Commissioner for Disaster, Charles Kalemba said the government was putting in place sustainable systems to ensure food security in the country.
“Such systems include irrigation schemes just like what we have seen at Chimwala mbango scheme which is gravity fed,” he added.
Kalemba assured the community that the government will continue supporting them with systems that will enhance food security in Nsanje
Women in Business urged to embrace digital financing system
By Andrew Mkonda
Lilongwe, January 10, Mana: Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa-Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB) Malawi chapter have been urged to embrace digital banking and electronic transaction services in their business operations.
Digital Financial Services Team Leader for AC Consulting Dr. Ella Kangaude made the call Friday during the interaction session with different influential businesswomen applying their businesses in the country.
Kangaude said the time has come for businesspeople to avoid moving around with huge sums of money which she said in most cases the tendency has resulted in fraud and money laundering among others.
“With digital transactions, people will no longer be carrying huge sums of cash to and from the bank where in most cases, more especially women have been robbed of their cash and others even losing their lives.
“Apart from doing business transactions, this electronic system will also assist individuals to manage their finances more effectively, such as paying their utility bills while in their homes without losing any money on transport,” she said.
National Chairperson for COMFWB Sellina Mwenelupembe thanked government for promoting a digital financing system saying Malawi also needs to be part of the global village.
“As Federation, we promote cross border business and for our women to be oriented in digital financing services, it’s very crucial because it will assist in promoting their businesses as they are trading between other countries, and it will assist them to secure their money,” she said.
However, Mwenelupembe asked government and service providers to invest more in infrastructure, especially in bordering countries where in most cases network becomes a big challenge.
One of the women, Clara Nanchinga, Executive Director of JIA Consultants, said the digital financing system is so important because it saves time and reduces some of the expenses that transpire when conducting business transactions in person.
“Let me take this opportunity to ask service providers to improve efficiency by enabling the environment to attract more people to adopt this system.
“As you may be aware, if the systems are well put together and people have trust in the system, many will join and transact, the system will grow fast,” she said
The government through the Ministry of Finance and Reserve Bank of Malawi are doing awareness campaigns for the people in the country to embrace the use of digital financing systems.
Police in Rumphi hunt for woman suspected of killing baby
By Manasse Nyirenda
Rumphi, January 10, Mana: Police in Rumphi are looking for a woman suspected of killing a baby boy aged between four and seven days.
In an interview on Friday, Rumphi Police Station Public Relations Officer, Noel Kamchenga said the dead body of the baby was found wrapped in a plastic bag and dumped at Matunkha stream around the Boma on January 9, 2025.
He added that a postmortem conducted on the baby by medical officers from Rumphi District Hospital revealed that it died of suffocation.
He added that once the suspect is apprehended, she will answer a charge of killing an infant.
Chitipa Police, CCJP team up in fight against child abuse
By Aliko Munde
Chitipa, January 10, Mana: Chitipa Police Station and the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) have teamed up to conduct awareness campaigns on child rights in schools in Chitipa District.
Community Policing Coordinator for Chitipa Police Station, Inspector Frightone Kundimbule, said that the campaign is aimed at safeguarding the right of children to education in the Chitipa district.
In an interview after touring three schools namely; Naviziba, Yamba and Lufita Primary schools on Thursday, Kundimbule warned School Management Committees, Parent Teacher's Associations and learners on the dangers of early marriages, teen pregnancies and child trafficking.
“The law of the land will be applied to those involved in forcing children into early marriages. It is the responsibility of every person to protect children,” Kundimbule said.
He, therefore, advised learners on the importance of utilizing suggestion boxes, which have been placed in the schools to report any abuse they encounter for assistance.
On her part, Gender Coordinator for CCJP Karonga Diocese responsible for Chitipa, Janet Mhango, concurred with Kundimbule on the need to protect children from abuse.
Mhango highlighted children’s right to education and the negative effects of hiding cases of child abuse.
Headteacher for Lufita Primary School, Elifa Chiona, hailed Chitipa Police and CCJP for the awareness campaign targeting schools, which she said will help to foster a good relationship between teachers and learners.
“The awareness campaigns will help our learners as well as teachers to improve their relationships. Most of the learners have been reminded of their rights, which is paramount,” Chiona said.
CCJP is implementing a three-year Gender Sensibilisation and Safeguarding Project, which is being funded by Miserier in Germany in conjunction with the Diocese of Muenster.
Karonga CDSS seeks assistance with hall and perimeter fence construction
By George Mponda
Karonga, January 10, Mana: Karonga Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) is seeking assistance to construct a hall, fence, and provide desks, as the lack of these essential facilities is hindering its ability to provide quality education to its students.
Headteacher Howard Kumwenda told Malawi News Agency on Friday that the school which was established in 1960 is an examination centre but they have to book a hall somewhere else which is costly.
He said during examinations, they spend over K500,000 to book a hall elsewhere and the students have to carry desks on their heads to the venue since the school does not have money to hire a vehicle.
“Together with the community we have managed to raise some funds which we have started constructing a hall estimated to cost K140 million and currently we are at floor level.
“Our school is located right in the middle of Karonga Town and we receive a lot of students who want to enrol so we have been tirelessly advocating for support from local authorities, organizations, and well-wishers,” Kumwenda said.
He said, with the right resources, the school can provide a conducive learning environment for its students as evidenced by its 64 per cent pass rate in last year's Malawi School Certificate of Education results.
Board Chairperson for Karonga CDSS Komani Mzembe said another pressing issue facing the school is the shortage of desks.
"Students are forced to sit on the floor or share desks, making it difficult for them to focus on their studies. The school has over 1500 students but we have few desks available. It's heartbreaking to see our students struggling to learn due to lack of basic facilities," said Mzembe.
"In addition to desks, the school urgently needs two additional school blocks. The current blocks are few with the number of students we have to the point that a teacher barely has space to walk around in the classrooms which is not ideal for teaching," he said.
He said another critical issue facing the school is the lack of a secure fence, saying the school's perimeter is not fenced, making it vulnerable to intruders and roaming cattle.
“This has led to concerns about the students' safety and security. We need a secure fence to protect our students and prevent unauthorized access to the school," Mzembe stressed.
On his part,
Karonga CDSS Students Union President, Vincent Kumwenda said they urgently need assistance to address these pressing issues.
"We are appealing to anyone who can help us to come forward and support our school to ensure that we as students receive the quality education we deserve," Kumwenda pleaded.
The school's management committee estimates that it needs approximately K98 million to finish constructing the hall.
Flying Girls Malawi to launch My Tree My Shed
By Mtisunge Gwedeza
Blantyre, January 10, Mana: A local girl's organization in Blantyre under the banner of Flying Girls Malawi will undertake a tree planting launch called My Tree, My Shed on January 17 at Matope Primary School in Ndirande.
The launch will be done with the main goal of encouraging more tree planting as a strategy for reducing carbon dioxide that is also produced by girls because of burning sanitary pads each and every day.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Wednesday, the Project Coordinator of My Tree, My Shed, Souvenir Jana said although the project is led by girls, everyone is equally welcome to participate including boys.
“The project will not only involve Flying Girls, but it will also include Matope Primary School learners, people from the society and any other persons who would like to volunteer during the tree planting sessions to give them a chance to learn about the environment,” Jana said.
“On the issue of boys, some of them bully girls on matters concerning menstrual health, these boys lack knowledge on the topic, so involving them in this project together with girls will not only help them learn about tree planting but also menstrual health,” she added.
The Flying Girls Malawi has also partnered with Seoul Enterprise which produces tree seedlings.
In a separate interview, Seoul Enterprise representative, Kamuna Lizakuwa said it is important to teach children the importance of planting and keeping trees while they are young because they will grow with the same attitude towards the environment.
Lizakuwa added that this is not the same with adults, as it becomes something new for them to adopt.
“We produce different seedlings for various tree species and we are excited to partner with the Flying Girls Malawi,” Lizakuwa said.
“Unlike adults, a child is easy to teach and learn, so teaching them the importance of these trees at a young age will help them grow with this mindset, they will be able to know the role that the trees play in their livelihood and plant more trees as they grow,” he stated.
Under the My Tree, My Shed initiative, Flying Girls Malawi plans to plant 1000 trees as a solution to a limited number of classrooms in schools, provide a habitat for animals and create a fresh-aired atmosphere.
Court set to give fresh bail ruling to Machinjiri couple Friday
By Milcah Mathias
Blantyre, January 9, Mana: Blantyre Central Senior Resident Magistrate, Euphrasia Nazombe Moyo, has reserved her ruling on the fresh bail application made by the accused's defense lawyers to January 10, 2025, regarding 38-year-old Linda Chitala and her 48-year-old husband, McPherson Chitala.
The couple is accused, among other charges, of neglecting to provide food and other basic necessities to Tamandani Chitala, a minor, in violation of Section 165 of the Penal Code. They are also charged under Section 242 of the Penal Code for failing to provide necessary care, including neglecting to take the child to the hospital after she was harmed.
The case has since been adjourned to January 28, 2025.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency on Thursday, Director of Criminal Litigation in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Josephine Kumitengo Gwaza, stated that the hearing failed to commence today because the accused persons appointed legal counsel to represent them, but the legal counsel requested more time to review the files.
"The first accused person had appointed lawyers from Legal Aid, and midway through the hearing, the second accused person also appointed his own lawyer, so we had issues before the actual hearing such that the counsel representing the accused persons asked for more time to go through the files.
"Besides, they also indicated that they wanted to apply for a fresh bail application, which was heard, and what we are waiting for now is the ruling on bail, which will be delivered tomorrow," added Gwaza.
Gwaza mentioned that the prosecution was ready to provide the first key witnesses today from a total of eight witnesses the state is planning to present in the case.
Humphrey Panyanja, Chief Legal Aid Advocate for the Legal Aid Bureau in Blantyre, indicated that the prosecution delayed in serving them with the disclosures, which are the evidence they intended to present.
"We also noted that right in court today, they introduced an amended charge sheet, so we informed them that having served us yesterday, we did not manage to meet our client, Linda Chitala, who is being held at Chichiri Prison, for a proper briefing," said Panyanja.
"So it would not be fair for us to commence trial because we need to prepare our case as well. On the issue of the initial charges, these are technical charges; we also wanted to prepare our defense," added Panyanja.
According to Gwaza, the state has amended the charge sheet for the two accused persons.
Linda Chitala is accused of three offenses, including acts intended to cause grievous harm under section 235(a) of the Penal Code, while McPherson Chitala is accused of two offenses.
Man sentenced seven years for ivory possession
By Max Mahara Medison
Salima, January 9, Mana: Salima First Grade Magistrate Court has convicted and sentenced Rashid Peter, 33, to a seven-year jail term for being found in possession of three ivories weighing 4.9 kilograms.
According to State Prosecutor Sub Inspector Justice Manolo, Peter was arrested following a tip-off.
Police learned that he was attempting to sell the ivory at Katelera Trading Centre in Salima.
In mitigation, Peter asked for leniency, citing his family obligations.
The State, however, called for a stiffer penalty, emphasizing the severity of the crime.
The magistrate stated that the three ivory found in Peter’s possession meant that multiple elephants, a protected species and critical to the country’s economy through foreign exchange earnings, were killed which is contrary to the National Parks and Wildlife Act of 2017.
First Grade Magistrate, Anthony Banda, agreed with the State’s submission and imposed the seven-year sentence to serve as a deterrent to other potential offenders.
Peter hails from Mgaya Village, Traditional Authority (TA) Kambwiri in Salima.
MPUC takes step towards peace, unity with strategic plan
By Patience Longwe
Lilongwe, December 9, Mana: The Malawi Peace and Unity Commission (MPUC) has underscored the importance of the strategic plan and communication strategy in promoting peace building and use of amicable conflict in the society.
Chairperson for MPUC, Impi Bishop Mary Nkosi, said during the launch of the launch in Lilongwe on Thursday that the strategic plan will serve to provide strategic direction for the work of the Commission for the medium term.
"I am, therefore, confident that the implementation of the two strategic documents will strengthen the Commission’s performance, enhance its ability to meet stakeholder expectations, and fulfil its mandate.
“In this regard, I would like to request all stakeholders, including government, development partners, community leaders and other peace building agencies, to give the Commission support in the implementation of its strategic plan and communication strategy, for the realization of national peace and development objectives,” she said.
Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Joyce Chitsulo, said the strategic plan will set a clear goal for the Commission to achieve in the next five years as it pursues it's vision of enduring peace and unity for robust political stability and socio-economic prosperity for all.
"I commit that government would provide financial and technical support for the implementation of the two strategic documents. I, therefore, would like to take this opportunity to request the Commission to ensure that all its future planned activities are based on the strategic direction provided through the two strategic documents,” she said.
United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator, Shadrack Omol, said the communication strategy on the other hand will provide direction to the Commission on how it can manage its communication functions in order to enhance its visibility, reduce tensions and promote peace, strengthen partnerships with existing peace actors, build trust and enhance its credibility.
"I would like to emphasize that our commitment as UN to preventing conflict and building peace in Malawi goes beyond the Peace Commission although it forms a major part of our support. For instance, the UNDP’s current Country Programme Document 2024 – 2029, which is UNDP’s Strategic Plan for the next four years, affirms our commitment to strengthening the Malawi peace building ecosystem,” he said.
As part of the launch of the strategic documents, UNDP donated a vehicle to the Commission.
