By Joel Phiri

Mzimba, August 19, mana: A cross section of business people in Mzimba have protested M’mbelwa District Council’s plans to construct a new bus depot at the old bus depot premises.

The people were speaking on Friday during a consultation meeting the council held to brief them on plans to construct a new depot to replace the old one.

Principal Environmental Officer for the council, James Pelani said the bus depot is now under M’mbelwa Council having its ownership transferred from National Bus Company hence plans to erect a new structure.

However, one of the business people operating a restaurant in the depot, Cecilia Mumba said demolishing the old depot will rob them of their livelihood.

“We have families we support from the businesses we operate from here and if you demolish this depot it will render us without business premises to operate from and our dependants will be affected adversely,” said Mumba.

Mumba proposed construction of new depot at a new place to avoid inconveniences.  

Chairperson of the committee that runs businesses in the bus depot, Kaingani Chiwambo concurred with Mumba saying the new bus depot should be built elsewhere.

“We use this depot as our business premises. So much as we welcome plans of a new depot, we want it constructed elsewhere like at the abandoned airport,” Chiwambo said.

Pelani said as council they will go back to the drawing board to see how the issue should be tackled.

He said the plans that the councillors and Members of Parliament passed were that the new depot should be constructed at the same old depot premises.

The Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) funded bus depot project is one of the 11 flagship projects earmarked to be constructed in the 2023/2024 financial year.

By Chisomo Kambandanga

Nkhata Bay, August 19, Mana: Some chiefs in Nkhata Bay have called on government and property developers in the country to construct buildings which can be easily accessible to people with disabilities.

The chiefs made the sentiments on Friday during a Disabled Women in Development (DIWODE) engagement meeting with traditional leaders on development of awareness campaign messages. 

One of the traditional leaders, Senior Chief Mankhambira noted that some of the buildings in Nkhata Bay are not accessible to people with disabilities despite that they are also contributors to national development.  

"Some structures here in Nkhata Bay are not easily accesible by people with disabilities. That is why we need to strongly enforce the construction of accesible buildings because discrimination or exclusion is a form of violence," he said.

Chief Executive Officer for DIWODE, Sigere Kasasi said government needs to take a leading role in solving the problem by ensuring that public funds should not be used in a way that discriminates against people with disabilities.

District Social Welfare Officer for Nkhata Bay, Macsense Chagomerana said discrimination lowers production capacity of the nation.

"The Malawi 2063 emphasizes that we should ensure that people who are marginalised and disadvantaged are active participants in the design and implementation of development plans," Chagomerana said.

DIWODE is currently implementing a project called Access to Justice in NkhataBay District with support from Disability Rights Fund (DRF).

By Margret Kalua

Nkhata Bay, August 17, mana: Nkhata Bay District has registered a decrease in road accidents and crime cases in the first half of 2023 by 48 and 6.6 percent respectively.

According to the biannual report released by Research and Planning Unit at the station, a total of 25 road traffic accidents have been registered this year as compared to 48 recorded in 2022 representing 48% decrease.

On the other hand, a total of 295 criminal cases have been recorded this year compared to the 316 cases recorded in 2022 within the same period representing 6.6 percent decrease.

In an interview, Nkhata Bay police station spokesperson, Kondwani James attributed the decrease to a number of strategies including introduction of breathalyzers, intensive awareness and school outreach programmes.

“There was increased day and night police visibility, road users were also cooperative in terms of observing traffic rules and regulation and there was intensive traffic checks in all incident prone areas,” he added.

He said as a way of forging ahead, they have introduced neighborhood watch and business watch schemes as additional measures to support in dealing with the criminal acts in the remaining half of the year.

Area Development Committee Chairperson for Traditional Authority (T/A) Mkumbira in the district, Mavuto Kaunda commended Nkhata Bay police for the development saying it is as a result of good coordination between them and their people.

He has however urged some T/As in the district to ensure they have community police forums to supplement the work of police officers and pleaded with shop owners to employ guards.

By Chilungamo Missi

Blantyre, August 17, Mana: Three men have been arrested in Limbe, Blantyre and waiting to appear before court for allegedly being found selling fuel illegally in the area.

The three were cornered on August 15, 2023 after being found with jerry cans containing 100 litres of fuel which police confiscated.

Confirming the development on Wednesday, Limbe Police Public Relations Officer, Aubrey Singanyama identified the suspects as Austin Tiyesi, 37, Julio Luciano, 38, and Emmanuel Kuntambala, 33.

“Limbe Police arrested the suspects who were selling petroleum products without a license in the area after Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) banned the use of jerry cans to buy fuel.

“The arrests came as police in the area are conducting a special operation aimed at keeping the area a crime-free zone,” said the police publist.

The Police are, therefore, advising the general public to refrain from storing fuel in their homes saying it is illegal and dangerous.

Tiyesi comes from Mwahala Village whilst Luciano is from Nakule Village both in Traditional Authority (TA) Nkalo in Chiradzulu district and Kuntambala hails from Maone Village, TA Sitola in Machinga district.

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By Priscilla Phiri

Lilongwe, August 15, Mana: Malawians residing in Dowa and Ntchisi have expressed optimism on the ongoing road rehabilitation project in the two districts saying it will provide people of the two districts with access to social amenities such as health, among others.

The sentiments were made during a media tour organised by Ministry of Information and Digitalisation to assess progress of the project which is being financially supported by Malawi Government.

Mary Ganizani, a resident of Traditional Authority (TA) Vusiojere in Ntchisi said the local population faces challenges in accessing healthcare services and engaging in various socio-economic activities due to the deteriorated state of the road connecting Dzaleka in Dowa and Ntchisi.

“Those of us living along Dzaleka – Ntchisi Road face difficult situations due to the poor road condition which has made it challenging for us to access free healthcare services in the district.

“Additionally, it has also made conducting business nearly impossible as transportation costs are very high. Therefore, we are pleased to see that government has made an effort to address this issue,” explains Ganizani.

Ganizani is hopeful that the restoration of the Dzaleka – Ntchisi Road will play a significant role in boosting the economic growth of the two districts by facilitating business activities.

Ntchisi District Council Director of Public Works, Dominic Dzinkambani said the Dzaleka – Ntchisi Road rehabilitation project is a two-year project which started in January 2023 and is expected to be completed in 2024.

“So far, the work being done here has shown positive results. We have, from the very beginning, closely collaborated with the contractors and consultants to ensure that compensations are promptly provided before initiating the work. We are pleased with the progress being made,” said Dzinkambani.

Chairperson for Dowa District Council, Mayamiko Kambewa expressed enthusiasm for the commencement of the project saying it is a welcome development that will lead to growth of numerous agricultural businesses in the district.

"We are delighted to witness the commencement of the project. As you may be aware, government is currently undertaking restoration of the M1 road from Dowa to Kasungu, along with the Dzaleka to Ntchisi route.

“These improvements are crucial for facilitating transportation of farmers' agricultural goods within and among the districts. We remain optimistic that the work will be finished within the scheduled timeframe without any setbacks considering the current progress of the project," he said.

The Dzaleka – Ntchisi Road stretches on a six kilometre distance. The stretch further continues from Ntchisi to Kasungu via Malomo.

Government of Malawi has provided funding amounting to K31 billion for the project which is projected to be finished by December 2024.

By Robert Nayeja

Nsanje, August 15, Mana: Senior Chief Malemia of Nsanje district has passed away in the wee hours of Tuesday at Mwaiwathu Private Hospital in Blantyre after suffering from kidney failure.

Both Ministry of Local Government Spokesperson, Anjoya Mwanza and Nsanje District Commissioner, Dominic Mwandira have confirmed the development

Malemia whose real name was Lameck Bizzeck Msamange is survived by a wife and seven children.

Late Senior Chief Malemia was born on 24 September, 1955 and was installed as traditional leader in 2000 and later elevated to Senior Chief in 2009.

Burial of the remains of the Senior Chief is yet to be announced.

Meanwhile Senior Chief Chimombo has described late Chief Malemia as a developmental conscious person.

“He has been fighting for development projects in his area and a number of infrastructural developments have been registered during his rule.

“Am deeply saddened with the demise of Chief Malemia because we have lost a pillar that promoted unity among chiefs in Nsanje,” grieved Chimombo.

Chairperson for Civil Society Organizations in Nsanje, Mike Dansa said the district has lost a visionary leader who was providing constructive advice to Nsanje civil society organizations.

“He was a board of trustee in many organizations in the district and beyond which is an indication that he was not an ordinary chief,” said Dansa.

By Joel Phiri

Mzimba, August 14, Mana: Director of Planning and Policy in the Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Walusungu Kayira has asked extension workers in Mzimba to help communities formulate Village Action Plans (VAPs) that are in line with Malawi 2063.

Speaking Friday in Mzimba when he closed a four-day training for extension workers on digital village planning process, Kayira said most Malawians are only familiar with construction of school infrastructure, bridges and medical facilities when it comes to developmental projects.

‘‘When you go to villages to facilitate discussions with villagers on what developmental projects should happen in their areas in the next five years, it’s highly likely most of them will tell you they want schools and hospitals.

“It will take your facilitation skills to extract other great development plans from the people they may be oblivious of, such as plans to have farms and industries in their areas. In short, let the plans of the communities should be in line with Malawi 2063 (MW2063,’’ Kayira said.

IM’mbelwa District Council Director of Planning and Development, Walter Chikuni disclosed that district development plans for Mzimba expired in 2022.

Chikuni said, with funding from United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the council is rolling out a village action planning process that will result into VAPs and projects to be carried out in the district in the coming five years.

One of the trainees, Prisca Gondwe hailed the training saying it has helped impart facilitation skills that will be instrumental when carrying out work.

Mana/jp/ys/pk

By Twimpoki Mangani

Lilongwe, August 12, Mana: Lilongwe Senior Resident Magistrate, Madalitso Chimwaza has adjourned the extradition case involving Prophet Shepherd and Mary Bushiri to September 27, 2023 for a ruling after hearing an application by the defense lawyer.

The Defence Lawyer, Wapona Kita has asked the court to entirely dismiss South Africa’s extradition request.

In his submission, he asked for the dismissal because the evidence used by South Africa cannot be admissible in Malawi courts as they have not been duly authenticated as required by the law.

In an objection, Kita requested the court not to allow the state to amend the substantial flaws in their request as extradition proceedings are special since they go to court after an order from the Minister of Homeland Security.

In response to the submission, State Advocate, Dzikondianthu Malunda described the application as premature and opted that it be dismissed with contempt.

Speaking on the side lines of the hearing, Council Kita revealed that the court proceedings indicate that there was no evidence which the court could receive to warrant the extradition

“This case has been to the high court and back and the high court gave directions on how the magistrate court should proceed with the matter, one of the directions was how they are going to receive the evidence, which was in accordance with the extradition act.”

“When the South African government wanted to start the case, they brought documents that showed that they have not been authenticated in accordance with the act but in accordance with the South African law, so we said they are bringing contempt to the high court,” he added.

State Advocate, Malunda reiterated that all documents were duly authenticated using applicable relevant laws in the matter while noting that after assessments, only one witness may suffice as opposed to the initial six since the whole matter would not be subject to hearing. 

“What happens in these extradition processes is that it’s up to the state to convince the court that indeed there may be a case in which the fugitive offenders, would have to answer in the South Africa and as for the full details of the evidence then that would be done at the hearing in South Africa should the court decide that they should be extradited,” he added.

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By Aliko Munde

Chitipa, August 24, Mana: Senior Chief Mwabulambya has asked government to construct a modern hospital in the district saying the current hospital is small, as the district is fast growing.

He made the call on Thursday during handover of medical equipment and supplies to Chitipa District Council through the Ministry of Health by Press Trust.

Senior Chief Mwabulambya said health workers are overwhelmed with patients at the hospital as it caters even patients from Tanzania and Zambia.

"We don't have a district hospital in Chitipa because this was a health centre in those days. The facility is very small with the fast growing of the district," Senior Chief Mwabulambya said.

Chitipa District Council Chairperson Towerachalo Mnyenyembe concurred with the Senior Chief, saying even health centres in Chitipa district are few and there is need to construct more.

Mnyenyembe said that with the terrain of Chitipa which is hilly and rocky, it is difficult to maintain and service the ambulances.

"Due to inadequate funding we are failing to service our ambulances and we have almost 8 ambulances which are grounded," she said.

The Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, acknowledged the challenges health workers face at the health facility saying they have taken the request on board.

But she was quick to say that plans are in pipeline to construct the health centre at Kapoka and health posts at Titi, Kavomolo, Zimelo and Sokolo.

Press Trust is expanding Nthalire health centre into a community rural hospital.

By Austine Kachilika

Mzimba, August 11, Mana: District Executive Committee (DEC) members for Mzimba have commended Spotlight Initiative for enhancing the fight against sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) in the district.

Speaking Wednesday during Spotlight Initiative exit sustainability meeting, District Gender Officer for M’mbelwa District Council, Naomi Mwale said Spotlight Initiative has helped in changing the mindset of many towards SGBV as well as improving the welfare of girls and young women in the district.

“Spotlight Initiative has helped in coming up with legislative and policy frameworks that counter gender-based violence, strengthening institutions that support the implementation of SGBV and sexual reproductive health rights (SRHR) laws, policies, programmes, provision of quality services, real-time data on GBV and advocating for women’s movement and empowerment,” she said.

District Social Welfare Officer for M’mbelwa District Council, Bernard Nangwale applauded Spotlight Initiative for its holistic approach.

He said: “Spotlight Initiative has made a change in issues pertaining to gender based violence. It has tackled areas the council was unable to reach in terms of eliminating gender-based violence, promoting sexual reproductive health and women empowerment, among others”.

Spotlight Initiative representative, Mercy Mlenga said they are still committed towards eliminating gender-based violence and women empowerment in the district.

“If all goes well, we will implement Spotlight Initiative 2.0 in the near future” she said.

Spotlight Initiative was incepted in 2019 to end violence against girls and women through several interventions.