By Bishop Witmos

Mangochi, December 5, Mana: National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Public Trust has urged eligible citizens in Mangochi that are yet to register as voters for the 2025 general election, to come out in large numbers in order for them to exercise their right to vote come next year.

Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) is currently conducting voter registration exercise in Mangochi, Mangochi Municipality, Lilongwe rural, Lilongwe urban, Mzimba, Mwanza, Chikwawa, as well as Nsanje councils, from November 28 to December 11.

Speaking during a football bonanza at Lungwena ground, in the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Namavi, District Coordinator for NICE in Mangochi, Joseph Chamambala said that from the spot check which they conducted around registration centers across the district, men are not coming out in large numbers, as compared to women.

“Our assessment from some centers in Mangochi so far shows that men are not coming out in large numbers as compared to women, a development which is worrisome to us because the right to vote is for everyone, regardless of our gender.

“As NICE, we have stepped up awareness campaign, and we are also calling on other stakeholders to follow suit in order to ensure that we have more citizens in Mangochi who will exercise their right to vote come September, 2025,” said Chamambala.  

He however said that from the general overview, daily figures from the registration centers since November 28 are promising that Mangochi would have more registered citizens.

Speaking in a separate interview, one of the community members at Lungwena, Mustapher Rajab, said that most men are engaged in economic activities during day hours, hence the need for stakeholders to intensify civic education.

“There is need to provide more civic education in order to have an equal participation by both men and women in this electoral process,” said Rajab.

By Alinafe kapatamoyo 

Lilongwe, December 5, Mana: In a bid to curb the rising number of road accidents, the Malawi Police Service has procured 10 speed trap machines from South Africa. These machines will be deployed across the country to reduce accidents caused by over speeding.

National Police Deputy Spokesperson, Harry Namwaza confirmed the acquisition, stating that the speed trap machines will significantly enhance traffic operations.

"These machines will help reduce road accidents, especially during the festive season when many people travel extensively.

“The festive season is a peak travel period in Malawi, and the police service is keen to ensure road safety. With the new speed trap machines, we aim at deterring drivers from speeding and promote responsible driving practices,” said Namwaza.

This move is part of the Malawi Police Service's efforts to address the growing concern of road accidents. Previously, the service had acquired breathalyzers and speed cameras to combat drunk driving and speeding.

The deployment of speed trap machines is a positive step forward, given the country’s history of road accidents. By utilizing this technology, the Malawi Police Service aims to enhance road safety and reduce accident rates, creating safer conditions for all road users.

By Emily M'mangisa

Zomba, December 4, Mana: Principal Resident Magistrate Court in Zomba has set January 3, 2025, as the day it will pass judgement in a case in which former police sergeant, Twalick Mpaweni is answering a case on two counts namely; having sexual intercourse with a minor and aiding a suspect to escape from lawful custody at Kachulu Police in Zomba.

This came after the accused’s defense team presented the remaining two witnesses in court on Wednesday.

During the hearing, it was revealed that Inspector Agness Magwira, one of the witnesses, submitted a police report on September 7, 2023, without including a medical report to confirm whether the girl had engaged in sexual intercourse with Mpaweni.

The accused’s side also presented an additional witness, bringing the total number of witnesses to four.

Speaking during the court session, Principal Resident Magistrate, Martin Chipofya instructed both sides to file their submission before December 27.

“Both parties involved in this case must make their documents ready and submit them on 27 this month,” added Chipofya and announced that the court will pass its judgement on January 3, next year.

In her remarks, Tiyamike Chigoneka, who is representing the state and a member of the Women Lawyers Association of Malawi (WLAM), said was satisfied with how the case was progressing and hoped that justice will take its course.

Hanleck Ching'anda from Legal Aid Bureau, representing Mpaweni said his team was equally satisfied with how the case had been handled.

“We are pleased with the testimony of our witnesses and remain optimistic that the court will rule in our favor. However, we acknowledge that the final decision rests with the court,” Ching'anda added.

The former police officer Mpaweni, was arrested for allegedly having sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl who was under police custody at Kachulu Police Post in Zomba on August 27, 2023.

By Vida Msiyo

Blantyre, December 4, Mana: Poet Maxwell Mnjemu has released a poem titled Not Just a Banner, adding his voice on the campaign against gender-based violence (GBV) as 16 Days of Activism Against GBV continues.

A stanza from the poem, which emphasizes the importance of equality and actionable steps to GBV, reads:
Not just a banner, not just a phrase
Equality calls in a million ways
it whispers in classrooms, factories, in fields
In rights that every person yields.

Mnjemu told Malawi News Agency (MANA) that the poem goes beyond words, calling for concrete actions to address GBV, appealing for collective activism, real and sustainable measures to combat GBV in the country.

“This is not just a poem, it is about interventions we are implementing to mitigate GBV, many people only put GBV in headlines but fail to do activities that prevent it. We need to engage communities, empower survivors and educate people on the importance of equality to achieve real change,” he said.

Echoing similar sentiments, Executive Director for the Malawi Human Rights Resource Centre (MHRRC), Emma Kaliya, emphasized the importance of consistent advocacy and hailed use of art as an effective tool in addressing GBV.

“Using art is the best way to reach out to people, unlike speeches that are easily forgotten. Artistic forms like poetry, theatre, drama and music stay with people longer; they spark discussions even after performances,” she said.

Kaliya noted that while the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV are crucial in raising awareness, the fight against GBV requires continuous and sustained efforts throughout the year to create a meaningful impact.

“In real sense, GBV should be tackled throughout the year. If we had resources, it would be ideal to empower communities and advocate for the entire 365 days,” she said.

The 16 Days of Activism Against GBV is an annual campaign that calls for global action to end violence against women and girls.

The campaign runs from November 25 to December 10.

By Milcah Mathias

Blantyre, December 4, Mana: Participants to the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation (GATF) training workshop have commended the electronic tariff system that is yet to be introduced by Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA), observing that it will ease duty procedures and trade.

GATF in partnership with other organizations hosted a two-day training workshop in Blantyre with the aim of building capacity of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Malawi on various topics about export readiness.

In its presentation, MRA demonstrated on the usage of the electronic tariff to acquaint the participants with the new platform for easier operation of duty procedures as MRA is yet to roll out the new tariff.

The electronic tariff is integrated with features of online tariff tool such as; search by keyword or tariff code; browse through the tariff book by section and chapter; access legal notes; display rates of duty for different trade agreements.

The online tariff tool also consists of; view excise and other duties; estimate duties based on tariff code and country of origin and prohibited and restricted items among other sections.

One of the participants, General Manager for Crystal Wave Freight Logistics Limited, Geoffrey Singano, commended the e-platform, saying the system will ease trade.

“As agents and exporters, we will have clear information when it comes to the new electronic system that MRA will be using and we will be having easy access to information about billings and we will know how to accurately charge our clients,” said Singano.

Executive Director for Clothing Brand SMART Wardrobe, Bertha Chibondo, hailed the e-platform, noting that it will help out small-scale businesses to know clear guidelines on customs duties and regulations that will help traders to be abreast with full knowledge; thereby avoiding compliance barriers.

Executive Director of Swift Sew Tailoring School, Musonda Mitchel, hailed the new e-tariff, saying it is a positive development, which will help small businesses to accurately forecast import and export costs; hence, helping in financial planning.

“This is a good development as we are going to have up to date information and in advance as well as what is it that we are paying for, since information will be easily accessed,” said Mitchell.

The benefits of Online Tariff Tool by MRA also ranges from accessing tariff-related information via web browser or mobile devices; 24/7 accessibility to streamline trade processes for both the public and MRA, transparency, cost-reduction, fast decision making and facilitating compliance and revenue generation by providing up-to-date customs data.

Monitoring and Evaluation Coordination Support from GATF, Ruth Makwakwa, urged the participants to utilize the knowledge by applying what they have learnt and gained from the training.

Makwakwa encouraged participants to document businesses they are undertaking so as to show how they are progressing as a result of the knowledge from the training.

GATF supports governments in developing and least developed countries in implementing the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement.

By Linda Likomwa

Halombe, December 4, Mana: Communities in Phalombe are eager to embrace Digital Finance Services (DFS) as it has been proved to be a fast and secure way of receiving and sending money.

Speaking Wednesday, Traditional Authority (TA) Mkhumba said DFS is convenient considering that transactions can be made anytime, can reduce impulse buying, encourages savings and a secure way of keeping money, among others.

“Our shops have opening and closing periods to provide services, but with DFS you can still get the services you want through on-line transaction,” she said.

Mkhumba said some people have failed to fulfill their plans because they had hard cash and they prioritized impulse buying at the expense of their plans.

She, therefore, pledged to raise awareness in her area together with her 18 group village heads and 106 village heads.

A community member, Patricia Mugwa, from Mahoria Village, TA Mkhumba said DFS would be a way of eliminating security fears people have when they carry hard cash.

Mugwa said government should raise awareness in the community for people to fully understand the importance of DFS because some still have reservations on its use.

“As a country, we have to raise this awareness. For example, today we are here waiting to receive our wages for Climate Smart-Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP) and we have been here close to four hours now, but the officials are not yet here to pay us," she said.

Mugwa added that if they were to receive their wages through Mpamba or Airtel Money mobile wallets, they could have been home and others in their small business to uplift their livelihood, noting that during pay day they spend the whole day unproductively.

District Commissioner for Phalombe, Douglas Moffat, said the awareness has come at an opportune time when all beneficiaries of social cash transfer in the district would now start receiving their money using Mpamba.

Moffat, therefore, asked the DFS team to emphasize on issues of security because a lot of people have been robbed off their money.

By Aisha Chiwaya

Salima. December 4, Mana: Care Malawi on Tuesday commenced distribution of relief money aimed at curbing cases of malnutrition in Salima District as part of El Nino response.

Beneficiaries, that have been drawn from Traditional Authorities (TA) Pemba, Ndindi and Maganga, will receive K140, 000 for two months until January 2025.

Speaking during the launch of the exercise, District Nutrition Officer for Salima District Hospital, Macdonald Mtengula, highlighted that the intervention is expected to benefit 1,544 households targeting expectant mothers, malnourished children and the elderly.

"The funds will assist to buy six food groups to improve their health for two months," he said.

Mtengula expects that the intervention will improve nutrition status of the beneficiaries if they use the money wisely.

TA Maganga commended Care Malawi for the exercise saying it will help reduce hunger.

"My area was greatly affected by drought as such most households are not food secure. Therefore, we appreciate such gestures from well-wishers and we ask others to emulate it," she said.

One of the beneficiaries of the project, Agness Zwaki, described the cash she received as timely.

“Last season we did not harvest due to El Nino weather conditions. We were worried as to how we would sustain ourselves and our families but we are good to go with this money,” she said.

The beneficiaries are also expected to receive 50 kilogram of maize in the next two months.

Care Malawi is distributing the funds in partnership with GIZ through the government of Malawi.