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YAS expresses concern over the rising cases of corruption in Malawi

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By Chisomo Phiri

A human rights watchdog,Youth and Society (YAS), has expressed concern over the escalating cases of corruption in the country.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ dialogue on anti-corruption in Mchinji, YAS Project Officer Jane Chibisa emphasized the need for collective action to address this growing concern.

The dialogue, held under the initiative “Bolstering Citizen8 Action Against Corruption,” aimed to provide a solution-focused platform for stakeholders to discuss challenges, opportunities, and solutions in tackling corruption.

Jane Chibisa



On her part, Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Chief Prevention Officer Susan Phiri urged participants to champion the National Anti-Corruption Strategy that promotes culture of integrity.

“Everyone must take part in the fight against corruption. It is not just the responsibility of YAS or ACB,” she stressed.

Mchinji District Council Youth Officer Mouldrich Shema welcomed the engagement, citing its timeliness.

Through the initiative, YAS is engaging community leaders, civil society organizations, and government officials to provide a platform for discussing challenges and improving public service delivery.

Mvula challenges journalists to uphold media code of conduct in election reporting

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By Chisomo Phiri

The Centre for Human Rights Rehabilitation (CHRR) Project Officer Maxwell Mvula has challenged journalists in the country to adhere to the media code of conduct when reporting on elections and electoral processes.

Mvula made the remarks in Kasungu on Wednesday during a media training session on new electoral laws, organized by CHRR under the initiative “Enhancing the Participation of the General Public in the 2025 General Elections”.

He emphasized that verifying facts before publishing a story is crucial to avoid deceiving and misleading the public.

Maxwell Mvula

Mvula noted that journalists have a critical role to play in raising public awareness to increase voter participation and turnout.

In his remarks, Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Officer for Kasungu Municipality, Ophman Ndekha, concurred with Mvula, stating that journalists need to familiarize themselves with the new laws in the MEC Act to effectively educate the public.

CHRR is implementing the initiative in 15 districts, including Kasungu, with financial support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) amounting to $100,000 (equivalent to K173.4 million).

NOCMA clarifies diesel shipment

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By Chisomo Phiri

The National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) refuted social media rumors that a train transporting 1.2 million liters of diesel was actually carrying molasses.

On Wednesday, President Lazarus Chakwera welcomed the historic first fuel shipment by rail in 41 years from Beira to Marka, marking a significant milestone in the country’s energy sector.



However, social media has been abuzz with false claims that the train did not transport the reported fuel.

In an interview with local media on Thursday, National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) spokesperson Raymond Likambale clarified that over 17 trucks filled with diesel are being offloaded at the company’s reserves in Matindi, Blantyre, debunking the molasses myth.

He emphasized that NOCMA is solely in the business of oil and gas and does not deal with molasses.

Court battle looms over TC appointments

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By Chisomo Phiri

The former Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of the Tobacco Commission(TC),Joseph Chidanti Malunga, has taken legal action against the Comptroller of Statutory Corporations(CSC), Peter Simbani, challenging the appointment of commissioners to the Tobacco Commission on February 9, 2024.

Malunga argues that the appointments were made without the requisite statutory mandate and without the knowledge or involvement of the Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale.

Chidanti

In his lawsuit, Malunga has also named Kawale as a defendant, citing the Minister’s failure to exercise his statutory responsibility to appoint the commissioners.

According to court documents seen by 247 Malawi News, Malunga has applied for permission to seek judicial review out of time.

The application, filed at the High Court in Lilongwe on August 26, 2024, additionally requests an interlocutory injunction to restrain the appointed commissioners from performing their duties until the main matter is resolved or further orders are issued by the court.

European Union expresses concern over declining interest in democracy among Malawians

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By Chisomo Phiri

The European Union (EU)Team Leader for Social Sectors,Michele Crimella,has expressed concern over the declining interest in democracy as a form of governance among Malawians.

He expressed the concern in Lilongwe on Thursday while presenting an Observation Report on the South African Elections (2024), held on May 29,2024.

According to Crimella, a recent Afrobarometer report reveals a worrying trend where the preference for democracy among Malawians has dropped by 18 percentage points, from 76% in 2011/2012 to 58% in 2023.

Crimella



He said:”Alarmingly, the report also shows an increased perception of preference for military intervention.”

But despite this, Crimella expressed hope that the lessons learned from South Africa’s elections will help shape Malawi’s procedures, activities, and systems to foster democratic growth.

On his part,Nice Trust Chairperson Lingalileni Mihowa shared her positive observations of democracy in action in South Africa, highlighting the inclusive measures taken to accommodate various groups, such as the elderly and people with disabilities, who were allowed to vote a day earlier.

Executive Director of the Malawi Human Rights Resource Centre (MHRRC),
Emma Kaliya,praised the transparent presentation of election results to stakeholders.