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Chakwera is going no where; calls his critics unrealistic

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By Linda Kwanjan

Malawi leader President Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera spoke on Thursday spoke  gun brazing, expressing shock at those people calling for his resignation mid-way before finishing his term in office.

Speaking at the K100 billion NEEF loan celebration in Balaka, Chakwera expressed shock at the calls.

Chakwera said he will ensure to finalise all the projects initiated by his administration.

President Chakwera



The President said what he hates most is poverty amongst the youth and women.

Chakwera’s statement in Balaka comes hot amid calls from dishonest Civil Society Leaders and hungry opposition parties who are organising campaigns  calling for his resignation.

He said this is why his government set strategies on how to generate finances for Malawians as one way of citizen empowerment.

He said he also thought of prioritising on  mega farms.

He said this is  the surest way of increasing agricultural productivity through private sector investors of their readiness to complement efforts.

“I was fortunate enough to witness the progress being made by a few of these investors today when I visited Demeter Farm, a prominent producer of legumes with a 600-hectare farm dedicated to sweet beans and stakes in beef production in the Balaka District,” reads his facebook post.

According to Chakwera, this is the first step in enticing current and future investors to take advantage of the win-win possibilities found in the nation’s development agenda through an agricultural revolution powered by extensively mechanized farming methods.

He said: “Through the Mega Farm Unit, sitting in the Ministry of Agriculture, we are ready to assist any interested investor willing to collaborate with the administration in the commercialisation drive,” he says.

While in Balaka, the President toured a site where Portland Cement is constructing an integrated plant that will produce both cement and its major requisite raw material, clinker.

He stated that when the plant is finished, 2000 tonnes of cement will be produced every day.

In order to create inclusive wealth and long-term jobs for a new Malawi, the President said his administration is demonstrating the advantages of utilizing the potential of the private sector.

Yolamu urges stronger action against environmental crimes

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By Chisomo Phiri

Inspector General (IG) of Police, Merlyne Yolamu, has called on police investigators to step up their efforts in protecting Malawi’s environment, which is facing severe degradation.

Speaking at an orientation on the establishment of regional wildlife and environmental crime investigation units on Monday, Yolamu emphasized the need for more robust action.

Yolamu

“The current rate of environmental degradation is alarming, and we need to act swiftly to prevent further destruction.

“We owe it to ourselves, our children, and future generations to protect our natural resources,” she said.

Yolamu cited the example of Michiru Forest, where rampant tree-cutting has occurred, and stressed that effective collaboration could have prevented such destruction.

“We need to work together to address these crimes and ensure that those responsible are held accountable,” she added.

On his part,Head of the Police Wildlife and Environmental Crime Investigation Unit, Superintendent Wellington Chimdzakazi, acknowledged the IG’s concerns and assured that they are working closely with other stakeholders to address environmental crimes.

“We are committed to protecting Malawi’s environment and will work tirelessly to ensure that those who seek to harm it are brought to justice,” he said.

Malawi moves closer to protecting whistle-blowers in national security cases

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By Chisomo Phiri

The Special Law Commission on the Development of Legislation on the Protection of Whistle-blowers in Malawi has recommended that whistle-blowers disclose matters related to national security, particularly those involving corruption within security agencies like the Malawi Defence Force (MDF), to Parliament.

The recommendation is aimed at creating a more transparent process for handling such disclosures while protecting national security interests.

Tapiwa Banda

Currently, matters of national security are protected from disclosure under the law.

Chief Law Reform Officer for the Law Commission and Lead Program Officer for the Development of Legislation on the Protection of Whistle-blowers Tapiwa Banda, made this recommendation during an engagement meeting organized by the National Democracy Institute (NDI) in Lilongwe on Wednesday.

Banda mentioned that the Commission identified specific areas where transparency is crucial, including recruitment, procurement, and administrative matters, which could potentially highlight misconduct and illegal activities.

She stated that the Commission used the Tshwane Principles as a guide for handling disclosures affecting national security.

“The Defence and Security Committee of Parliament will review whether to proceed with investigations into such disclosures,” she said.

On his part, Mathews Kajani, Team Leader for the Mzuzu Youth Anti-Corruption Movement, urged the Law Commission to expedite the enactment of the Whistle-blower Protection Bill.

Court to deliver bail verdict for Chiyanjano Mbeza on Friday

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By Chisomo Phiri

The Lilongwe Principal Resident Magistrate Court has announced that it will deliver its ruling on Friday July 26,2024, regarding whether to grant bail to Chiyanjano Mbeza,30, who was arrested on cybercrime-related charges.

According to state representative Charles Panyani, the Malawi Police Service(MPS) on Wednesday brought the accused to court, who is facing charges including using his studio to record and publish false content on various online websites. Panyani stated that Mbeza was arrested for spreading false information that may disturb national peace and security.

The force information allegedly named some individuals as being behind the plane crash that claimed the lives of nine people, including the late Vice President Saulos Chilima.

Panyani added that the police suspect other individuals are involved in this matter, and if the accused is released on bail, he may interfere with ongoing investigation proceedings.

The police confiscated some studio materials, with investigations currently at 80%.

Panyani indicated that the police may take at least seven days to finalize investigations.

The defense team, led by Gilbert Khonyongwa, expressed concerns about the police tendency to arrest individuals before completing investigations.

The accused will spend a day in custody pending the bail ruling.

He hails from Kazombo Village in the area of Traditional Authority(T/A) Nkhumba in Phalombe District.

Bushiris extradition case adjourned

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By Chisomo Phiri

Chief Resident Magistrate Madalitso Chimwaza on Wednesday adjourned to a later date an extradition case in which the South African Government wants Prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary to answer money laundering, theft and rape charges in the rainbow nation.

Chimwaza gave defence up to August 19,2024 to make its written submissions and the state up to September 13, 2024 to respond.

She said the defense will also be required to make submission by September 19, 2024 if it sees the need to respond to the state submissions.

Bushiri and wife

Chimwaza expressed hope that both parties will do a good job when making the submissions.

She explained that after 60 days, from September 19, 2024, the court will make a ruling on whether the Bushiris have to be extradited to South Africa or not.During court proceedings on Wednesday, the state was re-examining state witness Sibongire Mzinyathi, who is Director of Public Prosecutions in Gauteng Province in South Africa.

On a number of occasions, the defence objected to the evidence brought by the state; arguing that the state was bringing in fresh evidence.

Bushiris escaped South Africa in November 2020, barely days after being granted bail on the above mentioned charges, citing security threats.