Media Institute for Southern African (MISA) Malawi Chapter has expressed concern over the seizure of mobile phones and laptops belonging to Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) journalists who are being suspected of running a fake MBC Facebook page.
In a statement that 247 Malawi News has in possession,MISA Malawi Chairperson Golden Matonga says the media body has established that a number of MBC journalists are being investigated for alleged offenses committed under the Electronic Transactions and Cybersecurity Act following a complaint by MBC Management.
Matonga
According to Matonga,MISA Malawi is concerned because the development raises a number of serious questions.
He says:”Police have confiscated mobile phones and laptops from a number of MBC journalists across the country. The question is; how are these journalists being identified?
“What measures have been put in place to ensure that the identity of the sources of these journalists is protected? Correspondence between journalists and their sources is privileged information under Section 32(c) of the Access to Information (ATI) Act.”
The MISA Malawi boss has however, called on MBC management and Malawi Police Service to carry out the investigations without malice, prejudice and political inclinations.
Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Simplex Chithyola-Banda says the National Registration Identification System (NRIS) is a very critical programme in government’s effort of achieving Malawi vision (MW2063) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Speaking on Wednesday at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC), Lilongwe when he presided over the thirteenth Steering Committee (SC) Meeting for the NRIS project Chithyola-Banda said the meeting provides platform of discussion on how stakeholders are progressing with the implementation of NRIS
“You may agree with me that population growth has huge impact on the national development as such government is very much optimistic that once we leverage on the National Identification System and integrate it properly with other systems, planning and implementation of policies and interventions would be smooth. For instance, work for the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA), Immigration, Road Traffic, Health and other key institutions would be more efficient,” he said.
Chithyola-Banda said people will be able to access social services easily and Malawi will witness improved service delivery in all government institutions including private sectors.
In his remarks Minister of Home Land Security Ken Zikhale Ng’oma said it is government’s wish to have every Malawian registered not necessarily for the elections only but because it is very crucial for identification, business transactions among other services.
Minister of Information and Digitalization Moses Kunkuyu said digital transformation requires a holistic approach hence there is need for collaboration.
“We need to digitalize the country and bridge the digital gender divide, enhance integration and efficient and secure data sharing. Hence we implore treasury to include in the current budget funds for NRB to fully digitalize,” he said.
Making his contribution Electoral Commission chairperson Justice Chifundo Kachale said we need to amplify the message about registration because Malawians need National IDs to participate in the elections to exercise their right to vote.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative Fenella Frost said legal identity is not only linked to the Sustainable Development Goal 16 but it is also a critical enabler to many of the SDGs related to health, equality, education and gender among others.
“Government has contributed US$20million directly to the NRIS project basket fund and released US$1.5m for the Birth Registration which is really commendable to compliment funding from the European Union, USAID, Irish Aid, Norway and the UK-FCDO among others,” she said.
The stage is set for an electrifying season of Malawi Elite Football, as the coaches for the top teams in the country have been revealed. With seasoned veterans and up-and-coming talents at the helm, fans can expect thrilling matches and fierce competition in the upcoming 2024/2025 TNM Super League.
Leading the charge is Kalisto Pasuwa, who will be guiding FCB Nyasa Big Bullets with his wealth of experience. Alongside him, coaches like Ramadhan Nsanzurwimo of Mighty Mukuru Wanderers FC, Peter Mponda of Silver Strikers FC, and Oscar Kaunda of Baka City FC are sure to bring their tactical prowess to the pitch.
Wanderers have opted for Nsazurwimo Ramadan as coach
With a mix of established names and fresh faces, teams like Moyale Barracks FC, CRECK Sporting Club, and Bangwe All Stars FC are ready to showcase their skills under the guidance of coaches like Pritchard Mwansa, McDonald Mtetemera, and Christopher Nyambose.
As the teams gear up for the season ahead, all eyes will be on these talented coaches and their strategies for success. Get ready for a season full of passion, determination, and unforgettable moments on the Malawi Elite Football stage.
Political activist Bon Kalindo has called on Speaker of Parliament Catherine Gotani-Hara to resign for bringing the country to a standstill taking orders from President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera and Attorney General Thabo Chakaka-Nyirenda on the issue of Leader of Opposition in Parliament.
Kalindo observes that Gotani-Hara told Parliament last Friday that DPP followed all the laws to appoint its Leader of Opposition in Parliament Mary Thom Navicha and come Monday, she recognized Dr. Kondwani Nankhumwa as Leader of Opposition basing on the court injunction he obtained in 2022.
Speaker Gotani Hara
He says he find it strange that Gotani-Hara told Parliament that her hands are tied by the courts-an institution which is another Arm of government meaning that Parliament is not an independent institution in Malawi.
Speaking through an audio clip circulating in various social media platforms, Kalindo has appealed to AFORD MPs and all patriotic MPs in Parliament to join DPP MPs to evoke Parliamentary Standing Order 105 to Gotani-Hara for promoting party interest as Speaker of Parliament.
‘’ MCP is doing all of its best through the Speaker of Parliament to put the country on a standstill demanding all Malawians to join the war for the country not to go back to one-party state and dictatorship,” says Kalindo.
Speaking on Tuesday in Parliament on a point of order amid noisy on the government side to block him from speaking, Rumphi East legislator Kamlepo Kalua, said Parliament is governed by the Republican Constitution quoting Sections 4,5,6,7,8 and section 66 of the National Assembly on the management of the House.
‘’How do we transact parliamentary business in the House without the official opposition party which is the DPP?” questioned Kalua.
He called for the House to be suspended for the court to finalize the issue of Leader of Opposition in Parliament advising Parliament not to tolerate mediocrity, anarchy and undemocratic tendency reminding all that he fought for freedom and democracy in Malawi.
On Monday morning, reports circulating in various social media platforms were indicating that 33 DPP MPs have written Speaker of Parliament to allocate them seats on the independent back benches joining embattled Leader of Opposition Dr. Kondwani Nankhumwa.
On Tuesday, only 9 DPP MPs were seen sitting on the side of Nankhumwa in Parliament putting to rest all the speculations that many DPP MPs are following and standing together with Nankhumwa as their Leader of Opposition in Parliament.
The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) of the Dedza Diocese has embarked on a one-year project aimed at enhancing participation of women in the 2025 general elections.
Speaking on Tuesday in Ntcheu when presenting the project to Ntcheu District Executive Committee members, CCJP’s Project Officer for the Dedza Diocese, Horace Kasudze said among others, the project seeks to increase knowledge of civic rights and responsibilities among women.
CCJP’s Project Officer for the Dedza Diocese, Horace Kasudze
Ntcheu District has one female ward councillor out of fourteen and one female Member of Parliament out of seven.
“Social-cultural and ethnic factors and intra-party inclusivity are some of the factors that are affecting women participation in politics. We want to empower them to actively participate in the electoral process,” said Kasudze.
Kasudze said CCJP highlighted that 81 percent of expected registration was achieved in 2019, citing 56 percent being female and 44 percent being male.
He said the organization will conduct district multi-stakeholder dialogues with the Malawi Electoral Commission, husbands of female aspirants, media organisations, political parties and other stakeholders for increased support for female aspirants.
In his remarks, Principal Gender Officer for Ntcheu district, Phales Chizule commended the project for promoting the representation of women in the 2025 general elections.
“We are only worried with the project duration which is short and is ending in October before the general elections,” Chizule said.
Chizule said the gender office looks forward to improved coordination in the course of the project implementation and a probability of extension up until the general elections.
She then urged other organizations to support women aspirants in the district.
CCJP is implementing Enhancing the Participation of Women in the 2025 Malawi General Elections in Ntcheu with funding from the United Nations Development Programme.
