The Principal Resident Magistrate’s Court in Lilongwe on Wednesday acquitted former President Peter Mutharika’s personal bodyguard,Norman Chisale, on charges of intimidating public officers and obstructing justice.
Chisale was arrested after public officers, including Minister of Justice Titus Mvalo and former Director of Public Prosecutions Steven Kayuni, complained of receiving threats from him.
Chisale
He faced six counts, including using insulting language, three counts of intimidation, obstructing or interfering with the execution of a legal process, and disorderly conduct at a police station.
However, in court, Principal Resident Magistrate Roderick Michongwe found no evidence to warrant the charges and acquitted Chisale on all counts.
The court also criticized the police investigators for their poor handling of the case and lack of independence in their investigation.
Nevertheless, Michongwe cautioned Chisale to be mindful of his reactions when angry, as they may lead to future trouble.
The Principal Resident Magistrate Court sitting at Lilongwe Registry has acquitted former President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika’s personal bodyguard Norman Paulosi Chisale in all the six counts he was answering in court including insulting Minister of Justice Titus Mvalo as “Chinduna.”
Norman Chisale
The court faulted the state for failing to bring in tangible evidence for the charges levelled against Chisale he was answering in court advising the police to conduct intensive investigations before arresting the suspect.
The acquittal of Norman Chisale has proved independence of the Judiciary in Malawi, many Malawians thought that the case which was filed by the former Director of Public Prosecutions now appointed High Court judge Dr. Steven Kayuni would end up favoring the minister being in MCP led government.
Memories are still fresh that the Principal Resident Magistrate courts in Zomba and Mangochi acquitted political activist Bon Kalindo in a case he was answering of inciting violence through organizing nationwide demonstrations against the government of President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera.
Norman Chisale and Bon Kalindo are the two men who have suffered arrests and rearrests by police and their acquittals in the cases they were answering in courts have put the state in an awkward situation that the party in government uses the police to arrest its critics.
A Malawi Congress Party (MCP) diehard of Mvera in Dowa district Mr. Rodgers Kamphangala, has advised the 7th government coming in 2025 to brace itself to compensate these two people, Norman Chisale and Bon Kalindo with billions of Kwachas for arresting and continued detaining them unlawfully.
Kamphangala recalled that in all of his arrests by police and court appearances, Chisale was seen carrying the Holy Bible in his hands meaning that he was praying hard for God to punish those that were against his life outside prisons.
He said many Malawians wanted Chisale to die and rot in prison but God has shown his superiority over him that he has been acquitted in all the six counts he was answering proving itself that God has listened to him through his prayers.
“God has proved to Malawians that felt mercy with frequent arrests and rearrests of Norman Chisale that God is living and not dead, this should serve as a lesson to MCP Police used to be arresting suspects without investigating the offences committed,” said Kamphangala.
To Bon Kalindo, Kamphangala has wished him all the successes for his job he is fighting for the voiceless citizens including members of the MCP for their concerns and grievances to reach President Chakwera that Malawians regardless of tribes, are all in one boat crying to one President, Dr. Lazarus Chakwera to listen to their cries.
Political activist Bon Kalindo has described MCP victory in Mwansa -M’baluku ward in Mangochi as a danger warning sign to opposition parties DPP, UTM, AFORD and UDF that they are sleeping too much and they need all to wake-up.
Kalindo said as the writings are on the wall, MCP has brought in untold pain and sufferings to Malawians, no one can give chance to the MCP that it can be winning elections, the party does not deserve to be given votes.
He said the opposition parties are to blame for giving a chance to the MCP for it to continue inflicting pain amongst the citizens through bad governance, skyrocketing prices of essential goods and above all, the MCP has no welfare of its citizens at heart.
Speaking through an audio clip circulating in various social media platforms, Kalindo said vote rigging is a process claiming that the MCP is well prepared to be winning every election in Malawi because it has taken an advantage of the opposition parties sleeping.
Kalindo
Kalindo has congratulated an MCP candidate in Mangochi for winning the by-elections saying his victory will call the opposition parties to unite and strategize on their way forward warning opposition parties that if the situation continues to be like this, they should expect to cry with loud voices in 2025.
He has reminded opposition parties of his calls to open their eyes that MCP is appointing the Chewas in strategic positions in Ministry’s, Departments and Agencies as well as in parastatal organizations, they did not listen.
The activist said at one time, he advised the opposition parties in Mangochi to watch out that MCP was registering voters not from the constituency, they did not listen and handouts won the hearts of many voters after the official campaign period was closed.
“The electoral body has been quiet on handouts by the party in government-MCP, Mec cannot be trusted, it is yet another mouthpiece of government, if the handouts were dished by the opposition candidates, they would have all been disqualified,” said Kalindo.
He has again advised the opposition parties to hold an emergency meeting to find out where they are getting it wrong for corrections even going to court to obtain an injunction to stop Mec from conducting the 2025 elections for an independent Electoral Commission.
In a groundbreaking move, National Bank of Malawi (NBS) has announced a MK1 billion sponsorship package for the inaugural National Division League, set to be the second-tier league in the Malawi football pyramid.
This monumental investment is poised to revolutionize the football landscape in Malawi, providing a much-needed boost to the sport’s development.
The three-year sponsorship deal will see NBS provide financial support to teams participating in the league, as well as prizes for outstanding performance.
Handing over the cheque
A total of MK375.6 million has been allocated for teams’ subvention and equipment, ensuring that participants have the necessary resources to compete at the highest level.
Furthermore, NBS has set aside MK90 million for team prizes, recognizing the achievements of teams that excel in the league. Individual prizes totaling MK25.2 million will also be awarded to outstanding players, coaches, and referees, acknowledging their hard work and dedication to the sport.
This sponsorship package is a testament to NBS’s commitment to supporting Malawian football and developing young talent.
By investing in the National Division League, NBS is providing a platform for aspiring footballers to showcase their skills, gain exposure, and potentially secure opportunities to play at higher levels.
The National Division League is expected to kick off soon, with teams from across Malawi set to participate.
The league will provide a competitive environment for teams to test their skills, develop their strategies, and gain valuable experience.
NBS’s sponsorship package has been hailed as a game-changer for Malawian football, providing a much-needed injection of funds into the sport.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) officials have expressed their gratitude to NBS for its support, acknowledging the significant impact this sponsorship will have on the development of football in Malawi.
The sponsorship package is also expected to have a positive impact on the local economy, with teams and players benefiting from the financial support.
Additionally, the league is likely to attract spectators, generating revenue for local businesses and promoting tourism.
NBS’s MK1 billion sponsorship package for the inaugural National Division League is a significant investment in Malawian football.
By providing financial support, prizes, and recognition, NBS is helping to develop the sport, promote talent, and contribute to the growth of the local economy.
As the league prepares to kick off, football fans across Malawi eagerly anticipate the exciting competition that lies ahead.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has challenged the Malawi Examination Board (MANEB) to be independent to start printing examinations in this country and not relying on printing examination papers outside the country which is very expensive.
PAC chairperson Mark Botoman made this sentiment on Wednesday after MANEB officials appeared to the committee at Parliament building in Lilongwe.
Botoman said although they observed that MANEB are facing various challenges such as lack of printing machine, security and money there is a need to move forward towards acquiring their own equipment in order to print the examination in their own soil.
He said :” when we asked the controlling officer if we are moving towards acquiring our own equipment inorder to start printing examination in our own, she said yes there are initiatives that are put in place but it’s not going to be soon because we need quite a lot of investment to acquire machine that can be able to print the examination right here.”
Botoman – we observed the challenges that are facing
He lamented that the issue is doable as the controlling officer disclosed to them that Tanzania are printing examinations on their own saying it just needs a lot of investment.
Botoman further disclosed that the missing map reading in geography paper, the controlling officer did mention that they didn’t cross check the examination envelopes when they came from where they were printed.
He lamented that they have challenged the controlling officer that mechanism has to be put in place when the examination arrives in this country saying they have to find the way of verifying whether the papers have been put in the envelopes or not.
In her remarks MANEB executive director Dorothy Nampota said the machine that they have currently is manual which will require to print, collet, staple and package that take alot of time which they cannot manage according to the number of candidates that’ys they source the printing service outside the country.
Nampota emphasized that they are in the process of asking the government to help to purchase an automated printing machine in order to start printing examination in this country.
PAC summoned MANEB to come and respond to their audit issue that was observed by the auditor general in 30th June 2021.
