The long time Government critique Joshua Chisa mbele commonly known as “Mneneri”has criticised Democratic Progressive Party for politicising the 44 percent devaluation saying the devaluation is timely.
Writing on his Facebook page “Where was DPP when President Joyce Banda became the President and devalued the currency with 50%,”
Chisa mbele says Dr Kabambe has had an impressive and colourful Cv. Where was he when Joyce Banda took over?
Chakwera
Chisambere asks which administration perpetuated Cashgate? Joyce Banda might have changed Ministers but the entire civil service was Blue.
“Point: Devaluation decision is not a cheap political stunt to score political points. We have two critical issues in this country to take care of:(a) The ailing economy which is in a Comma. (b) The poorest of the poor who happen to be the majority of our population, “he says.
Mbere says the Kwacha will either fall further on its own or it will regain the losses if economy is reformed .
“In 1980s the Zambian Kwacha was less than a paper it was printed on. The Shops were empty. No Fanta. No Coca Cola. No Sobo. It takes men of courage to accept the truth and change the discourse,” he says.
He urges DPP to stop politicising the medication.
“We will struggle, yes. No question about it BUT there is no shortcut to heaven. You have to die first. Pass through the valley of dry bones,” he says.
Jesuits Refugee Service (JRS), an international refugee entity of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), that is facilitating the provision of formal education to refugees in Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Malawi is suspected to have misused millions of kwachas of teachers fund, this publication has learnt.According to teachers who spoke to this publication, the development was discovered after the institution, JRS announced the contract termination with its employees particularly under education sector, in September.
One of the leaders of the affected teachers under primary school Moses Chimkonde, said among the alleged misused funds including 2022 pension and health insurance money. JRS contracted Old Mutual to handle pension issues.”After being told of our contract termination, almost all teachers thought following up our pension issues with Old Mutual
.
Unfortunately, we were shocked to learn that our 9 months cash was not wired,” he explained.
While concurring with Chimkonde, almost all teachers who managed to talk this publication said they managed to involve JRS in the issue for several attempts but to no avail.”Our bosses are taking us for granted.
Maybe because our contract ends next month, December. Or because we don’t have vast knowledge on such issues. But we will keep on fighting,” they disclosed.
They revealed that they have penned Reserve Bank of Malawi on the same.On health insurance fund, teachers from both, primary and secondary claimed that they discovered that there were number of “ghost beneficiaries.”For instance, a teacher who got medical services within the country, recorded to have been referred to India and spend millions of kwachas.Apart from that, some male teachers were recorded as if they were receiving maternity services.
The whole move according to teachers was to scam their health insurance money.”Up to now, our bosses are yet to address us. That’s when we thought of engaging the media,” they narrated.JRS country director, Caroline Kayira Kulemeka said in 2022 there was funding gap hence the anomalies.
“Funding to cover this gap has since been identified and JRS is working with Old Mutual to resolve the problem,” she said.However, teachers wondered how the same organization was able to give them part of salary the whole year and without explanation.They also question the organization’s failure to explain the development the same year or during the time they were informing them about their contract termination saying “that not applicable.
“On health insurance fund, Kulemeka vehemently denied to issue a comment saying the matter is still under investigations.Social commentators while describing the development as sad and unacceptable, ask stakeholders under education sector to immediately intervene on the matter.
According to them, the development will affect classes for learners.
Following the 44% Kwacha devaluation announced by Reserve Bank of Malawi(RBM),the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) has to day announced the adjustment of fuel prices with petrol selling at K2,530 from K1, 746 representing 44.9%
In a statement, MERA Board Chairperson Reckford Kampanje adds that the new fuel prices are as a result of trends in the world petroleum products prices.
With the new prices, Diesel is now at K,2734/ Litre, up from K1,930 (42.4% increase) while Paraffin is at K1,910 from K1,261 (up by 51.47%).
The adjusted prices are effective today, November 10,2023.
President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera’s led administration is set to announce measures outlined to cushion Malawians against the effects of the recent devaluation of the Kwacha.
On Tuesday, 8th November 2023, the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) adjusted the buying and selling price of the local currency Kwacha against the United States (US) Dollar by a 44 percent margin.
The Kwacha will now be selling at K1,700 against 1 US Dollar from K1,180.
Macdonald Mafuta Mwale
In a statement signed by Secretary to the Treasury Macdonald Mafuta Mwale, government will announce the measures which are aimed at countering devaluation effects at a press briefing on Monday 13th November 2023.
“Following the exchange rate alignment undertaken by the Reserve Bank of Malawi, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs would like to inform the general public that the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Hon Simplex Chithyola MP will hold a press conference to outline the measures government has put in place to cushion vulnerable Malawians and stimulate economic growth,” reads the statement in part.
“The press conference will start from 09:00 hours on Monday 13th November, 2023.”
Chancellor Kaferapanjira is finally leaving Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) where he has served as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the past 21 years.
The Chamber’s President, Lekani Katandula says in a statement that Kaferapanjira will be leaving the institution in January next year.
Katandula describes Kaferapanjira’s journey at the institution as successful; saying he contributed much to its positive reputation growth.
Kaferapanjira
“Mr. Kaferapanjira’s energy, foresight qnd guidance will deeply be missed.
“His extraordinary vision and leadership not only made an indelible mark on the private sector but also forged a lasting legacy within MCCCI,” says Katandula in a statement, adding they are now hunting for his replacement.
Kaferapanjira has been CEO for MCCCI since January 2003.
Before joining the institution, he served as Deputy General Manager of Malawi Investment Promotion Agency (now Malawi Investment and Trade Centre).
Among others, his job at the Chamber involved influencing change in the business environment landscape in Malawi through lobbying every level of government and through advocacy.
MCCCI exists to serve and promote the interests of its members and the business community generally in Malawi through the provision of value added services.
Its vision is to be widely recognised as the leading advocate for business in Malawi and a proven catalyst of positive enhancement and change for our members.
