A 47-year-old Chinese national Lin Yun Hua who is currently serving a 14-year prison sentence for wildlife crimes and money laundering, is now facing new charges for allegedly attempting to bribe judicial and prison officials.
According to the charge sheet, Lin is accused of offering K50 million to Justice Violet Chipao, who presided over his case in 2019.
Furthermore,he is accused of offering K30 million to Aaron Kaunda, the then officer in charge of Maula Prison, to influence Justice Chipao, who was Chief Resident Magistrate at the time.
Lin Yun Hua
The Chinese convict appeared in court on Friday to address these new allegations.
He was arrested in 2019 after police found rhino horns at his house, which he admitted to posses and own.
He was handed a 14-year prison sentence on September 28,2021 by Lilongwe Magistrate Court.
Umodzi Party(UP) President Thomas Wezzie Kaumba has advised the organizers of the July 10 demonstrations to exercise patience and prioritize dialogue,citing it as the only way to resolve the legitimate issues the group is raising.
Kaumba’s call comes as the group, calling itself Concerned Citizens, announced July 10, 2024 as a day for mass demonstrations in Ntcheu.
He observes that previous demonstrations have not yielded tangible results,and therefore emphasized the importance of dialogue between all concerned parties to amicably resolve differences for the betterment of poor Malawians
Thomas Kaumba
Kaumba also urges the government to listen to the calls of the Concerned Citizens, stating that they represent the voice of the voiceless and the underprivileged, who are severely affected by economic hardships.
Meanwhile, the Concerned Citizens of Malawi have postponed the planned demonstrations to allow students who sitting for the Malawi School Certificate(MSCE) examinations to concentrate and write their exams without any disruption.
According to the grouping Chairperson Edward Kambanje,they are committed to upholding the rule of law and fostering peaceful coexistence in the community,hence a decision to postpone the planned demonstrations to a later date.
Recently, there have been calls from the Civil Society Education Coalition (CSEC), Independet Schools Association of Malawi (ISAMA), Umodzi Party, parents, and many other key stakeholders across the country to allow students to peacefully write their exams.
Leading seed producer Seed Co has launched a mobile application in Malawi called Seedney that seeks to provide agricultural information and solutions to farmers at their fingertip.
The application was first introduced in Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Zambia and Kenya.
Speaking during the launch in Lilongwe on Friday,Seed Co Head of Commercial, Dennis Mdzalimbo, said the application provides comprehensive information on fertilizer usage, amount of seeds to be planted per acre, disease and pest control.
Dennis Mdzalimbo
Mdzalimbo said initially, farmers were relying on agricultural extension workers to provide them with such information.
He urged farmers to adopt the new technology saying it will help them achieve Malawi’s food security as they will be following best farming practices.
Mdzalimbo indicated that the information in the app will be translated into local languages such as Tumbuka, Chewa and Sena for farmers to understand information being provided better in their respective communities.
Seed Co opened its trading books in Malawi in 2000.
The Company has since grown rapidly to attain a challenging position within the seed industry.
Barely weeks after pledging K1 million each to ten top Junior Certificate of Education (JCE) performers, Maranatha Academy Managing Director Ernest Kaonga has pledged K6 million to six students with outstanding results in the 2024 Malawi School Leaving Certificate(MSCE) examinations currently under way.
In a separate interview,Kaonga who is also President for the Private Schools Association of Malawi(PRISAM),said 3 outstanding girls and 3 outstanding boys in the exams will each get K1 million.
He said the move is aimed at motivating the students to work extra hard and score good grades during exams.
“This is part of motivating the students to work extra hard.I believe that all students have what it takes to perform well during exams, so they just need motivation to engage that extra gear,” said Kaonga.
He indicated that the offer goes to both private and public students.
“It doesnt matter whether you are from public or private school.What I am looking for is top 6 performers,” he said.
This year, 184,978 students registered for the MSCE examinations, comprising 96,787 males and 88,191 females, an increase from the previous year’s registration, which saw 154,762 students sign up, including 82,706 males and 72,066 females.
Malawi’s art community mourns the loss of a beloved figure, Lucius Banda, whose contributions transcended music to impact the nation’s cultural landscape. In a heartfelt gesture of solidarity, the government has pledged unwavering support to Banda’s family, including his elder brother Paul, during this difficult time.
Richard Chimwendo Banda, Minister of Local Government, Unity, and Culture, spoke on behalf of President Lazarus Chakwera, expressing deep appreciation for Lucius Banda’s dedication to the arts. “He dedicated his life to the arts,” Minister Chimwendo Banda emphasized, reflecting on Banda’s influential role as a musician and as a presidential adviser on youth and arts.
President Chakwera at Lucius Banda’s funeral
The government’s commitment extends beyond words to tangible support, ensuring that the family receives assistance that honors Banda’s legacy. “The family should be assured that the President will not leave you alone,” Minister Chimwendo Banda assured. He reaffirmed that the same support extended during Banda’s illness will continue, underscoring the government’s recognition of his enduring impact and the importance of supporting his loved ones.
Lucius Banda’s role as a presidential adviser underscored his influence in advocating for youth empowerment and promoting the arts as a vital component of Malawi’s cultural identity. His legacy resonates through his music, which addressed social issues and celebrated Malawian heritage.
As Malawi remembers Lucius Banda’s contributions, the government’s pledge of support stands as a testament to his significance in national affairs and his enduring influence on future generations of artists and cultural ambassadors.
In honoring Lucius Banda’s memory, the nation not only celebrates his achievements but also reaffirms its commitment to nurturing the arts and preserving his legacy of passion, dedication, and advocacy.
