The body of former first lady Patricia Shanil Dzimbiri who died in a military plane crash alongside vice president Saulos Chilima and seven others near Chikangawa Forest in Mzimba on Monday June 10, 2024, will be laid to rest tomorrow Friday June 14,2024 at her home village, Chimpikizo, Traditional Authority(TA) Cham’thunya in Balaka district.
This was disclosed yesterday in Lilongwe by Minister of Information Moses Kunkuyu.
Kunkuyu added that the government will accord the late Shanil Dzimbiri a befitting burial, in recognition of her role as former First Lady of Malawi.
“We assure the family that late Dzimbiri will be honoured accordingly,” Kunkuyu said.
Shanil Dzimbiri was born on September 25,1964.
She served as the country’s First Lady from 1999 to 2004.
A teacher by profession, the late Dzimbiri also served as Member of Parliament(MP) for Balaka west constituency, from 2014 to 2019.
She did not make it for a second term, and Chilima took her on board as his adviser on women affairs, until her death.
Dzimbiri had five children with former president, Bakili Muluzi.
Malawi Blood Transfusion Service (MBTS) on Wednesday announced the postponement of this year’s World Blood Donor Day Commemoration which was slated for this Saturday, June 15, 2024.
On 14 June every year, the World commemorates the World Blood Day to celebrate all the blood donors across the world but here in Malawi the event was scheduled to take place on 15th June and preparations for the event in all MBTS Centres, were already at an advanced stage.
Chilima donating blood
But in a brief statement signed by the organisation’s Marketing and Public Relations Manager Janet Katonda, MBTS arrived at the decision following the death of the country’s Vice President Dr Saulos Chilima and eight other distinguished men and women who were working with him.
“We regret to communicate that due to the national mourning declared following the tragic loss of Vice President Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima and eight other distinguished men and women ,the World Blood Donor Day commemorations have been postponed to a later date. However, the dates for the commemoration events will be communicated in due course,” reads the statement in part.
Chilima and former First Lady Patricia Shanil Dzimbiri who also died during the aircraft crash in Chikangawa Forest in Mzuzu, were among MBTS’s regular blood donors.
Using their influential positions in government, the two did their best in helping mobilising others to become regular blood donors as well.
Meanwhile, the body of the former first lady is expected to be laid to rest this coming Friday in Balaka while Dr Chilima is expected to be laid to rest at Nsipe, Traditional Authority Champiti in Ntcheu district on Monday, June 17.
Investigations which this publication has conducted reveals that a contract for the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) Commissioner General John Biziwick has finally expired after successfully working 4 years in office.
President Lazarus Chakwera appointed Biziwick Together with two Deputy Commissioners General, Mr. Henry Ngutwa responsible for Revenue and Mrs. Agness Katsonga Phiri responsible for Administration
Bizwick
We can safely confirm that Biswick cannot be appointed again as Commissioner-General since he has already served two terms.
According to the relevant laws , Malawi Revenue Authority Act. Section 17 says there shall be Commissioner General who shall serve only two terms and then go.
Section 17 (4) says “The Commissioner-General shall, subject to subsection (5), hold office for a period of four years and shall be eligible for reappointment for one additional term of four years.”
The current Commissioner General Mr John Biziwick for example, served as Commissioner General from June 2012 to July, 2014, being his first appointment. His appointment was terminated after 2 years in the office, but he was paid all his employment remuneration and benefits up to the end of the 4 years term of this first contract.
The payment of the contractual obligations by the Board, constituted him serving the first term.
This makes the appointment for the 2020-2024 one additional term of 4 years.
Therefore, when his current contract of employment expires on 13 July, 2024, Mr. Biziwick shall have served the maximum of two terms as Commissioner General; and would not be eligible for another appointment.
A good precedent is that of Mr. M.J.M Phiri. He served as first Commissioner General for the Malawi Revenue Authority, from September, 1999. In February, 2002, after 2 years, his appointment was terminated and was paid for the remainder of the term.
In 2004, MJM Phiri rejoined MRA as Commissioner General, replacing Mr. Earnest Mtingwi but after finishing his 4 years contract in 2008, he wanted another term but the Board, after seeking legal opinion on the interpretation of the MRA Act, resolved that the 2004-2008 term constituted the one additional term. He was, thus, not eligible for another appointment as Commissioner General, and Mr Muhara came in.
The legal opinion and the Board decision in respect of MJM Phiri is binding even on the present case.
The phrase “one additional term” on Section 17 sub- section 4 entails that a Commissioner General can only serve for a maximum period of two terms, totalling 8 years. The terms do not have to run continuously.
Yamikani Samuel yemwe ndi oyimba wa chamba cha nyimbo za uzimu mdziko muno wati tsopano watulutsa kanema wanyimbo yake ya uzimu yatsopano yotchedwa ‘Kuyenda ndi Yesu’ yomwe anayiyimba ndi mzake wina otchedwa MacMillan Demataya.
Malinga ndi Samuel,uthenga waukulu omwe uli mnyimbo yatsopanoyi ndiwokumbutsa anthu kuti kuyenda ndi yesu ndikwabwino chifukwa cha zimene amatichitila.
Yamikani Samuel
Oyimbayu yemwe panopa akukhala mdziko la South Africa anati chomwe chinamupangitsa kulemba nyimboyi ndichakuti iye Mulungu anamupambanitsa muzinthu zowopsa zosasimbika ndipo kuti anawona ukulu wa Mulungu pamoyo wake.
Iye anati kanema wanyimboyi anajambula yekha.
“Kwa amene akufuna kumvera nyimbo yanga yatsopayi atha kuyipeza pa YouTube komanso pa webusaiti wa Golden City Tower,” anatero Samuel.
Iye analonjeza omwe amakonda kumvera ndi kuonera nyimbo zake kuti ayembekezele nyimbo zambiri kutsogoloku.
Samuel anapempha okonda nyimbo zakewa kuti asasiye kutelo poti izi zimamupatsa chilimbikitso.
The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has warned the general public against circulation of graphic and insensitive materials related to the death of the country’s Vice President Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima and eight others who died on Monday 10th June 2024 in a plane crash in Chikangawa Forest.
The social media has been flooded with insensitive pictures purportedly from the accident scene.
MACRA is mandated under section 97 of the Electronic Transactions and Cybersecurity Act to promote public education on safe and responsible online behavior including Cyber hygiene.
In a statement released on Wednesday signed by MACRA Director General Daud Suleman said this is the devastating time for the nation and therefore, we must honor the memory of the victims with utmost dignity and respect.
Suleman said circulation of disturbing or exploitative material especially related to tragic incidents can cause immense harm and distress.
“We urge the public to be highly sensitive and refrain from sharing or spreading offensive content. Victims and their families deserve to mourn in peace, free from further distress,” he added.
”Let us instead come together to support one another and create space of compassion during this difficult time.”
