Super League leaders Blue Eagles and Civil Service United play out a goalless draw in their TNM Super league clash at Nankhaka Stadium on Wednesday.
The home side had a chance to go three-points clear on top of the log table while Civil were looking forward to dislodge Moyale Barracks on 7th position.
With the draw, Eagles remain on top with 27 points, a point above defending champions Nyasa Big Bullets who will face TN Stars this weekend.
Kamuzu Barracks are on position 3 with 17 points from 9 games followed by Silver Strikers who are on 4th position with 15 points from the same number of games as KB.
Sable Farming are bottom on the log table having accumulated 5 points from eight games.
As the country still waits to get more details about the Corruption Suspect Zuneth Sattar dealings, the Minister of Justice, Titus Mvalo has today said no member of the Tonse Alliance benefitted from contracts that Zuneth Sattar had with the government.
Speaking during a press briefing in Lilongwe today, Mvalo who was franked by Minister of Information Gospel Kazako, said Sattar has never had a contract with the current government.
Mvalo and Kazako
ACB is still investigating the case involving British citizen Zuneth Sattar, who is suspected to have fraudulently obtained billions of money through dubious deals with various government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
“We wanted to clear this misconception that the Tonse Alliance is the most corrupt government. This is not true. This government is bent on fighting corruption. That’s the reason we increased funding to Anti-Corruption Bureau when we took over.
” If we are to talk about the Zuneth Sattar corruption case, no Tonse Alliance government member benefitted from the contracts Mr Sattar had with the Malawi government since all the deals were signed during the previous government. What the Tonse government did when it came into power was to terminate those contracts,” he said.
Malawi’s only Pathologist Dr Charles Dzamalawi who a week ago was found guilty by Medical Council of Malawi over the questionable results of his forensic test on the late Kotana Chidyaonga has hit back. In a press statement , Dzamalala says he has instructed his lawyers to appeal the Verdict
The full statement reads: I, Dr Charles Dzamalala, wish to inform the general public that I have instructed my lawyers, Naphambo and Company, to appeal against the Medical Council of Malawi (MCM) Board’s determination on the case of the forensic autopsy report of late Kottana Chidyaonga which I produced on 13th January, 2020 and which was the basis for a court process in August, 2020. Since the MCM Board’s determination on this case, there has been a media frenzy and multiple sources of misinformation. This press statement is aimed at addressing these issues.
Brief Background I hold the following academic and professional qualifications-  Bachelor of Medical Sciences (BMedSci) from St Andrews University in Scotland in 1989.  Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree (MBBS) from the Universities of London and Malawi (College of Medicine) obtained in 1993.  Masters’ Degree in Anatomic Pathology (M. Med. Path).from Makerere University in Uganda obtained in 1999. This training includes exposure to Forensic Pathology.  Masters’ Degree in Forensic Medicine and Forensic Pathology [MForensMed (Monash)] from Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, Monash University in Melbourne Australia in 2013.  Founding Member of both The College of Pathologists of East Central and Southern Africa: FCPath (ECSA) and the African Society of Forensic Medicine (ASFM).  I have over twenty two years of experience in Forensic Autopsy/Pathology cases in several countries including, Uganda, Australia and some neighboring countries. Within Malawi I have conducted many autopsy cases, including the majority of high profile cases. Some of these cases have gone passed through the courts.  I have never been accused of corruption; rather I stand for the truth.
The late Kottana Chidyaonga and then boyfriend and Murder accused Mtilosanje
Case of Kottana Chidyaonga I still stand by the said forensic autopsy report that the death of late Kottana Chidyaonga was due to toxicity as a result of aldicarb (termik) poisoning. The autopsy features in the body of late Kottana Chidyaonga were generally those of toxicity. In particular the stomach which bore the brunt of the visible effects of toxicity demonstrated patches of mucosal erosions and haemorrhages consistent with close contact with a toxic substance. This finding indicated that the toxic substance entered the body through the ORAL route (mouth); it was ingested. Laboratory testing of collected body fluids and tissue specimens confirmed the finding of aldicarb in the tissue and fluid specimens. The history of events leading up to the time of death did not dispute death by termik poisoning. Termik kills. The specific timing depends on a number of things; including amount of ingested termik, individual’s body weight and contents in the stomach such as amount and type of food which may influence absorption rates. These factors also influence the timing of symptoms and signs the patient presents with. Deaths therefore may occur within minutes or after a few hours. Laboratory Testing for Toxic Substances In Malawi there is only one registered laboratory that reliably screens for toxic substances; the Malawi Government’s Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL) in Lilongwe. The effectiveness of toxicity screening by this laboratory has over the years been compared with some similar laboratories in the United Kingdom and Republic of South Africa. Such comparisons have been favourable. There are several examples, on record, of high profile suspected poisoning cases where the results of poison screening by CVL have been similar to those received from analyses by United Kingdom and South African laboratories. I and other local pathologists have used and continue to use the CVL for toxic substances screening. The CVL uses thin layer chromatography (TLC) screening method for toxic substances. When present in the specimen under investigation, each group of the toxic substances produces a registrable spike which is then compared to available known laboratory standards to identify the specific toxic substance. In the Kottana Chidyaonga case there was one recorded spike which by comparison with laboratory standards was identified as termik. Had there been two or three spikes, the challenge would have been to identify what each spike represented. In this case there was one spike which was that due to the presence of termik in the tested samples. Body tissue samples from this case were kept for any further testing, within or outside Malawi, in the event that the court so determined prior to the conclusion of the court case. These samples are still available and may be used by any contending parties for testing a preferred laboratory or laboratories outside Malawi. The Medical Council of Malawi was informed about this at the hearing that took place at Lilongwe Hotel. Court judgement assumptions I am aware of and surprised by the assumption of members of the general public, including some self-appointed social commentators that the accused persons in this case were acquitted because of a wrongful cause of death. The High Court judgement which was also sustained by the Supreme Court of Appeal was based on three issues. The State failed to prove who of the four accused persons administered the poison; where and when the poison was administered. These are not issues which a pathologist performing an autopsy anywhere in the world is expected to investigate and answer. There are State Officers whose duty is to perform these functions. The Courts did not mention the cause of death and did not say termik was not the cause of death either.
Why Appeal Through my lawyers I am appealing against the determination by the Medical Council of Malawi Board. This appeal will be based on the following:-  The Medical Council is body which is charged with overseeing evidence based practice of medicine in Malawi. The honorable and learned members of the Medical Council Board have however made a determination that the cause of death was not termik but vecuronium bromide. They have not provided any laboratory backed scientific evidence on which this conclusion is based. Which laboratory provided results of a lethal body tissue or body fluid level of vecuronium bromide? Why did they not share these results with me or the public? There is no evidence that the Board sent any of the preserved tissue samples from this case for laboratory testing; yet they were informed of the existence of such samples. This determination is therefore based on assumptions; it is not supported by evidence based knowledge.  In the communication to me the Medical Council of Malawi Board indicated that snake venom and vecuronium bromide were the most likely contributors to the cause of death of late Kottana Chidyaonga. In medical practice, death certification includes the mode and cause of death. Contributors are listed but are not the cause of death. The contributors are the ones I am being accused of not testing for. To illustrate this concept; I would provide as follows: The Board has not made it clear what the findings that I did not test for were contributing to. One could compare this with the Shire River which drains water out of Lake Malawi. In some low lying areas some water leaves the Shire and flows into the adjacent land. They however don’t make it on the answer for what drains Lake Malawi.  The Medical Council Board refers to performance which is contrary to expected standards of forensic autopsy practice. I am not aware of any such reference standards which the Medical Council has developed, copied or edited and distributed to its members; and specifically for performance of forensic autopsies. The Council has been in place since 1987. The autopsy reporting forms, for example date back to 1950s; the Council has said and done nothing about them. How does a country pretend to have a standard of practice when they have not set up a standard for infrastructure, equipment and personnel qualifications?  I also contend the unfair representation in the composition of those called upon to make the determination. I take note that medicine has many specialized areas requiring that in investigations of this nature accused persons be fairly represented by their peers. Who are the peers for a Forensic pathologist? Do you assign a four years practicing professional colleague to adjudicate in a case where the accused has over twenty years of practice, and who may even have trained the adjudicator? If there were no representative jury members, did Medical Council Board seek the opinion from outside their home?
Dr Charles Dzamalala
Specific appeal Through my lawyers, I am appealing to the High Court. I am praying for the High Court to:- ï‚· Order the Medical Council of Malawi Board to provide laboratory backed scientific evidence that I was wrong in reporting that late Kottana Chidyaonga died as a result of termik poisoning; that the Board has evidence-based cause of death; a lethal dose of vecuronium bromide or snake venom or both and that there was no termik in the body tissues. That such evidence is backed by laboratory testing of preserved/stored laboratory tissue specimens from the deceased, which were brought to their knowledge at the Lilongwe Hotel hearing. ï‚· Set up a system that will facilitate a transparent way in which the available tissue samples will be taken to a laboratory or laboratories outside Malawi for testing for venom, aldicarb and lethal levels of vecuronium bromide. ï‚· Order the Medical Council of Malawi Board to pend the issuance of the warning, until the determination of the appeal. ï‚· Set aside the determination of the case by the Medical Council of Malawi Board.
President Lazarus Chakwera has hit strongly on the drug theft that has dominated public health facilities in the country, saying time has come to end the vice by punishing all those found to be involved in the tendency.
Speaking to thousands of Malawians who gathered at Tembwe Primary School ground on Tuesday, May 17,2022, President Chakwera sado his recent meeting with the Central Medical Stores Trust officials has revealed that in some government health facilities, there is theft of drugs ending up having shortage of the much needed drugs in these public health facilities.
“Two day ago in was meeting Board chairperson for Central Medical Stores Trust, I also invited the c chief Executive Officer for the Trust so that they explain how they execute their duties. What they told me is that the drugs are being procured but once these drugs have reached our public health facilities, they are being abused, and misused though theft by being channeled in other ways.
President Chakwera: Against Drug Theft
I have therefore directed for proper investigation into the matter so that once evidence is found, we must end this behaviour.” Said President Chakwera while encouraging all Malawians to love their country at the expense of their personal needs and gains.
President Chakwera who in the day visited the Maize Silos at Kanengo under the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) and Tembwe Admarc Warehouse in Mchinji to appreciate the storage facilities after a successful crop inspection tour across the country, told the nation that what he has seen at Kanengo and Tembwe in Lilongwe and Mchinji respectively is impressive as far as maize storage is concerned, though eighth of the Silos at Kanengo need to be renovated before being put back into use, adding that as a nation, Malawi has enough food as its silos still have some grain from the previous farming season regardless that the season currently underway some farmers will not harvest enough.
While admitting that the country is going through challenges, President Chakwera said his administration is doing everything possible to address them and let the citizens live happily, saying soon Malawians in the rural areas will benefit from many developmental projects, including those of Mchinji district.
President Chakwera then told the people of Mchinji that his administration is aware of the importance of good roads network in relation to farming, hence the partnership with the Millennium Challenge to assist the country in construction and grading of rural roads for easy transportation of farm produce.
In his speech, Malawi leader also said; the introduction of clubs and cooperatives in accessing AIP will help in checking the problem of mismanagement of the inputs and abuse of the program.
On economic recovery, President Chakwera told the nation that his recent meeting with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director, Ms. Kristalina Georgieva has given him confidence that the country’s economy will soon be on track, saying the IMF is aware of how the previous administration plundered and destroyed the country’s economy by cheating on both Malawians and the organization, hence IMF officials trip next week to discuss the way out.
President Chakwera has since promised people of Mchinji that the administration will make sure that electricity under the MAREP project, water projects, health facilities, and many other projects are implemented in the district.
As part of reaching out to the less privileged people in the community, St Louis High School on Monday May 16, 2022 donated assorted items to less previleged people from four villages of Dauya,Njuchi, Kapesi and Kanduna in Dedza.
In his speech during the hand over ceremony, the head teacher of St Louis Highschool Eston Mtambalika emphasized on the need to teach students the importance of sharing.
He said it is paramount to teach the students the sharing spirit and team work while at school.
“Our school focuses on building a good relationship with those around us that is why we reached out to these families,”said Mtambalika.
In her remarks, Group Village Head woman Kapesi applauded the school for the gesture saying it is like as a blessing to her subjects.
Speaking after recieving the donation, one of the beneficiaries Mphenzi from Kanduna village who stays with some orphans, said what she recieved will not only help her but the grandchildren she is staying with.
“This donation will go a long way as currently I can not do any income generating activity due to problems with my leg which has been there for years,” said Mphenzi.
Recently, the school also reached out to Angelina Jozy of Dauya village who is suffering from cancer, Najere of Njuchi Village who has been suffering from stroke for 20 years now, and other 12 families from Kapesi village.
The items that were donated were Clothes, sugar and shoes which were all contributed by the students.
