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Court finds Activist Bon Kalindo has a case to answer

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By Reported by Lyte Ali

A Court in Mangochi on Tuesday found Human Rights activist, Bon Kalindo with a case to answer on the allegation that he incited violence, contrary to Section 87 of the Penal Code.

During previous court proceedings, Eastern Region, Prosecution Officer, Superintendent Josephine Chigawa told the court that on November 30, 2023, Kalindo assembled people in Mangochi town without permit and incited them to violence, a development which resulted into damage of government property and individuals’ whose value was not known.

A Court in Mangochi on Tuesday found Human Rights activist, Bon Kalindo with a case to answer on the allegation that he incited violence, contrary to Section 87 of the Penal Code.
Kalindo to face prosecution



“During the demonstration, people smashed windows of district education offices, the gate at the District Commissioner’s offices, five government vehicles as well as six personal vehicles” added Chigawa.

On Tuesday, Senior Resident Magistrate, Muhammad Chande said that facts brought in court through five state witnesses established that Kalindo has a case to answer.

Defense counsel, Smart Khalifa told the court that they will parade their own witnesses to the case.

Magistrate Chande therefore adjourned the case to May 7 this year.

During the previous proceeding, Kalindo pleaded not guilty to the charge.
He is currently on bail.

NGORA set to establish K1 billion Kwacha NGO fund

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By Memory Kutengule Chatonda


NGO Regulatory Authority (NGORA) is set to establish an NGO fund worth K1 billion to support eligible NGOs in the country with capacity building.

The development follows a directive issued during the NGO Day last year by President Lazarus Chakwera to NGORA to institute a comprehensive capacity building program for the sector.

Speaking during the breakfast meeting with representatives from various NGOs on Tuesday in Blantyre, NGORA Chief Executive Officer, Edward Chileka-Banda said the regulatory authority is currently finalising necessary procedures and that upon the completion of the exercise, NGOs depending on their eligibility, will be invited to apply for the fund.

Edward Chileka Banda



“The NGO fund has been sourced from government subvention and NGO fees and it aims to create an enabling environment for NGOs’ operations in Malawi. The fund will be used to build institutional capacity of NGOs that will include system strengthening and compliance to NGO Act and policy.

“Therefore, only those NGOs that are registered and have valid annual licenses will qualify for the fund,” said Chileka-Banda indicating that so far 463 NGOs have obtained valid licenses for the year 2024. 

He urged all NGOs yet to renew their licenses to do so promptly.

According to Chileka-Banda, NGORA will collaborate with service providers including Malawi Revenue Authority, Immigration, Banks, district councils and the donor community to exclusively serve NGOs with valid licenses for the current year.

Commenting on the matter, Development Communications Trust, Programmes Manager, Bettie Chumbu commended NGORA for the interface meeting saying NGOs will do everything possible to comply with the Act and Policies set by the regulatory authority.

She also welcomed the NGO fund saying it has come at an opportune time as this will help support the NGOs within the sector with capacity building to among others improve service delivery.

Presidential advisor on NGOs, Martha Kwataine said government will continue to strengthen the cordial relationship with non-state actors in the country to better serve the Malawians.

Education Minister calls for more support towards education sector

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By Mphatso Nkuonera

More institutions have been called upon to rally behind the Ministry of Education in order to provide high quality education services to the nation.

Minister of Education Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima  made the remarks on  Tuesday, at Mbayani Primary School in Blantyre when she presided over a handover ceremony of classroom blocks built by Nico Group of Company.

Minister of Education Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima  made the remarks on  Tuesday, at Mbayani Primary School in Blantyre when she presided over a handover ceremony of classroom blocks built by Nico Group of Company.
Kambauwa at Mbayani Primary school



“We need more partners to build more classroom blocks for us in order to meet the teacher-pupil ratio of 1:60 at primary school. This school is the biggest in Malawi with an enrollment of over 7,000 learners and Nico’s gesture is timely to decongest the classrooms.

“I must ask you all here, the Local Chief in particular to guard this property against any vandalism. It pains hugely to see all these efforts been done today mercilessly and carelessly burnt to ashes because of very trivia issues,” Wirima said.

Speaking earlier, Managing Director for Nico Group, Vizenge Kumwenda said the construction of the classroom blocks is a clear indication of their commitment to complement the Government in the education sector.

According to ERIS Chief Executive Officer, Ellen Chipinduka Nyasulu, the twin one-storey classroom block which has been built at the cost of MK300 Million will increase learning space at the school by accomodating 240 learners.

NICO Group, which includes NBS Bank and Eris Properties, joins many other companies and Non-governmental organisations and individuals in complementing Government’s efforts.

The Minister was accompanied by the Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Dr Rachel Chimbwete Phiri, Director for Basic Education, Grace Milner, the Blantyre District Education Manager, Annita Kaliwu.

Also available was Blantyre City Council Chief Executive Officer, Dennis Chinsewu, Group Village Head Magasa  and Councilor for Mbayani Ward, Mngerezi Chinthuli among the many senior citizens who witnessed the handover ceremony.

MISA condemns the assault of Television reporter Yasim Limu by Wanderers supporters

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By Chisomo Phiri

MISA Malawi has strongly condemned the assault of Television Islam reporter Yasin Limu by three Mighty Mukuru Wanderers Football Club supporters.

In a statement, the media body’s chairperson Golden Matonga says the incident happened few minutes into a Super League of Malawi (SULOM) game between Wanderers FC and Kamuzu Barracks Football Club at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on Sunday, April 7, 2024.

Yasin Limu



According to Matonga, in the assault, a TV Islam camera tripod and Limu’s wrist watch were damaged.

Says Matonga in a statement:”The assault happened when the supporters were chasing sports reporters out of an area normally reserved for the media covering games at the stadium.

“Two of the three supporters who assaulted Limu and damaged the items have been identified as Dolf and Harry.”

He adds:”Barbaric acts against journalists in their line of duty should not be tolerated. What the three supporters did is a violation of media freedom and the right to access information, fundamental rights enshrined in the Malawi Constitution.

“We demand disciplinary action on the supporters by the club. The Malawi Police should also investigate, arrest and prosecute the assailants.

“This is not the first time that supporters of a Super League club have assaulted a journalist. In 2023, Silver Strikers supporters also assaulted Smart Chalika of Kasupe Radio and the trend has a chilling effect on sports journalists.”

The MISA Malawi chairperson says football is a beautiful game that the media has covered for many years and that acts of barbarism that threaten the lives of reporters and football lovers need to be flushed out. 

He has however, called on football authorities in the country including Football Association of Malawi (FAM),SULOM and club administrators to take decisive action against individuals who are creating an environment of fear and intimidation for sports reporters and bringing the game into disrepute.

NPL journalist Macmillan Mhone released on bail

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By Chisomo Phiri

Nation Publications Limited(NPL) Journalist MacMillan Mhone, who was arrested on Monday over an online story published last year on Malawi24 concerning corrupt suspect Karim Batatawala, has been released on bail.

The arrest and the police’s handling of the matter has irked the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA Malawi Chapter).

Mhone

According to MISA Chairperson Golden Matonga, the act smacks of torture and deliberate attempts to intimidate the journalist.

He has since called upon authorities to drop all charges against the Mhone.

Minister of Information and Digitalisation Moses Kunkuyu earlier told local media that government is discussing with the MISA to see how they can intervene in the arrest of the journalist.

The Minister indicated that Chakwera’s-led government remains committed in safeguarding press freedom; hence, it is exploring alternatives on how it can intervene on the arrest.

He said: “I have seen the communication from the Media Institute of Southern Africa Malawi Chapter and I have been in touch with their leadership to appreciate the full details of the matter and to see where our entry point could be as a ministry in a case where an individual feels aggrieved by a publication or a story.

“The police have confirmed receiving a complaint and moving in to make an arrest based on the complaint. I am waiting to get further updates on the matter.”