President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has congratulated Reverend Father Vincent Fredrick Mwakhwawa on his consecration as Auxiliary Bishop of Lilongwe Archdiocese.
Fr. Mwakhwawa’s consecration took place on Saturday 20th January 2024 at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe.
In a statement, Chakwera said Fr. Mwakhwawa’s journey from seminary and his ascendancy to the new position now reflects a steadfast devotion to ministry.
Reverend Father Vincent Fredrick Mwakhwaw
“The first lady and I extend our heartfelt congratulations to you Father Vincent Fredrick Mwakhwawa for your consecration as the Auxilliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe. Your dedication to the clergy of Lilongwe, service as vicar general and leadership in the Pontifical Mission Societies exemplify a profound commitment to our faith. Your journey from seminary to your position now reflects a steadfast devotion to ministry,” reads part of the statement.
“May your pastoral wisdom continue to guide the Archdiocese of Lilongwe and the church at large. As you embark on this new chapter, our prayers accompany you. We pray for God’s blessings on your episcopal ministry ahead.”
Reverend Father Mwakhwawa was appointed as the Auxiliary Bishop of Lilongwe Archdiocese on 15th November 2023 by Pope Francis. Until his appointment, Father Mwakhwawa was Vicar General of the Lilongwe Diocese.
A human rights activist based in South Africa Charles Ben Longwe, has claimed that Frederick Billy Malata was arrested by politics of the day so that he should be prevented for revealing the truth on who was sponsoring him to obtain a court injunction against Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika from standing in the 2025 elections.
Longwe said Malata wanted to hold a press briefing to expose those behind blocking the candidature of Professor Mutharika claiming that he was contracted and was asking for his balance of money which he was not given.
He has since appealed to the court to release him so that he should hold the much anticipated Press Conference to reveal who was providing the muscles to go to court to challenge Professor Mutharika’s illegibility for the 2025 elections.
Speaking through an audio clip circulating in various social media platforms, Ben Longwe said Malata did not expose people but was threatening them that if they don’t pay for his balance of money, he will hold a news conference to reveal their identities.
Longwe has described the arrest of Malata as a deliberate plan to prevent the truth from coming out assuring the courts that if Malata’s case enters the plea of prosecutions, he will be the witness for justice to prevail.
He said it is very clear that Malata and others were being sent to court to obtain an injunction against Professor Mutharika by some DPP presidential aspirants alleging that they have connived with the police and a judge to keep Malata at Maula Prison until DPPs elective conference is held.
The activist said the involvement of the state in arresting Malata and keep him at Maula Prison is questionable observing that Malawians are suspecting government for taking part in sponsoring DPP infightings so that the party go to the 2025 elections without a presidential candidate.
“Malata’s case is civil which has been turn into criminal, give him bail to speak what he prepared to reveal through a news conference for Mutharika to know the truth on what was going on behind the curtains,” said Longwe.
He claimed that some names including President Chakwera were destroyed alleging that last week lawyer for Dr. Dalitso Kabambe went to meet Malata while in the hands of police to retract the story for him to be released but he refused.
Ben Longwe said Malawians are waiting anxiously to hear for themselves real names to come out claiming that blocking Malata’s mouth from speaking what he has in mind through a news conference, will continue tarnishing the image of President Chakwera and his MCP led government.
He has reminded authorities in Malawi that Malata’s case is civil observing that those who were injured by Malata’s threats would have gone to court for an injunction and not arresting him as if he has a committed a criminal offence.
The Deputy Minister of Education, Nancy Chaola Mdooko has described the education curriculum review process as invaluable in realizing 2063 vision as it provides Malawian citizens an opportunity to actively shape curricula that takes on board the citizens’ needs.
Mdooko made these remarks at Mulunguzi Secondary School hall in Zomba on Saturday January 20,2024, during the curriculum review consultative meeting.
Nancy Chaola Mdooko
The Deputy Minister said the curriculum needs regular review so that its content and goals align with the nation’s development objectives,such as economic independence and technological progression among others.
Said Mdooko:”The consultative meetings were meant to seek views from Malawians from all walks of life to ensure that the curriculum is balanced, realistic, and relevant to the needs and aspirations of Malawians through stakeholders’ consultations.”
She disclosed that currently,the ministry is implementing Enabler number 5,Human Capital Development envisioned and espoused in the 2063 agenda, hence the decision to engage all the stakeholders in coming up with a curriculum that responds to the current standards of education in Malawi.
“I am glad that people were very free to express their minds, this is commendable, I can assure you that we will consider your contributions,” she added.
Through Malawi Institute of Education (MIE), the Ministry is reviewing the curriculum and once done, it will replace the current curriculum by 2025.
The last curriculum review was implemented way back in 2007.
The national wide curricula review consultative process was framed to run from January 16 to January 20, 2024.
Malawi’s opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has announced a wave of expulsions and suspensions within its ranks, in a bid to maintain discipline and loyalty within the party. In a press release following a central committee meeting on January 20th, 2024, the party revealed the list of members who were deemed to have violated party rules and principles.
Under the powers granted by the party’s constitution, particularly Article 9(5) and Article 15(4), the central committee received and reviewed the recommendations put forth by the disciplinary committee. Following careful consideration, the central committee unanimously passed a set of resolutions to address the misconduct exhibited by certain members.
Firstly, the party announced the immediate expulsion of notable figures, including Honourable Kondwani Nankhumwa MP, Grelzeda Geoffrey (Vice President – Central), Cecilia Chazama (Presidential Advisor), Nicholas Dausi MP (National Publicity Secretary), Mark Bottoman MP (National Director of Research and Training), Otria Jere (National Director of Protocol), Fortunate Simeon Phiri (Deputy Treasurer General – Central), Frederick Billy Malata (Deputy National Director of Political Affairs – East), Joe Thomas Nyirongo (National Deputy Director of Operations – North), and Honourable Kenneth Chatatata Msonda (NGC Member – North).
In addition to expulsions, several individuals were stripped of their positions within the National Governing Council (NGC) and were suspended from party membership for a period of nine months. This includes Henry Matemba (National Director of Elections), Joseph Mavuto Kachali (Deputy National Director of Elections – North), Kondwani Ng’ong’ola (Deputy National Organising Secretary – Centre), Shafee Khamisa (Deputy National Director of Logistics – South), Brave Mkwezalamba (Deputy National Director of Operations – South), Marriam Chimbalanga (Deputy National Director of Women – Centre), Dumisa Lindani (NGC Member – East), Baxter Kita (NGC Member – North), and Lameck Rajab Malimba (NGC Member – Centre).
Furthermore, Hon. Aulad Mussa, a DPP member from the Centre, has been suspended from party membership for a period of nine months, while Ralph Pacharo Jooma has been removed from his position as the National Director of Economic Affairs within the NGC.
The DPP has emphasized the importance of party unity and called upon all its members to respect and abide by the resolutions laid out. It urged members to refrain from any misconduct, as well as to avoid undermining or disrespecting the party’s leadership at any level of its structures. The party emphasized that it would not hesitate to take disciplinary action against any further acts of misconduct.
The expulsions and suspensions within the DPP have sent shockwaves throughout the party and the broader political landscape in Malawi. Many are closely watching to see how this internal turmoil will affect the DPP’s future strategies and overall unity. As the country heads into the next phase of political engagements, the DPP will need to regroup and demonstrate a united front to maintain its relevance and credibility as a political entity.
The former ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has with immediate effect expelled from the party its former Vice President for the South, Kondwani Nankhumwa, former Secretary General Grelzeder Jeffrey, Former Director of Women Cecelia Chazama,former publicity secretary Nicholas Harry Dausi and Zomba Chisi Member of Parliament (MP) Mark Botomani.
Others expelled are National
Director of Research and Training Otria
Jere, National Director of Protocol
Fortunate Simeon Phiri, Deputy Treasurer General
(Centre) Fredrick Billy Malata, Deputy
National Director of Political Affairs (East)Joe Thomas Nyirongo, Deputy National
Director of Operations (North)
Kenneth Chatatata Msonda, NGC Member (North).
On top of this, the party has also removed other members from their positions in the National Governing Council (NGC).
They have also been suspended for nine (9) months.
Those affected are Henry Matemba, Joseph Mabvuto Kachali, Kondwani Ng’ong’ola, Shafee Khamisa, Brave Mkwezalamba, Marriam Chimbalanga, Dumisani Lindani, Baxter Kita, and Lameck Rajab Malimba.
The erstwhile party adds that its former Vice President (Centre) Uladi Mussa has been suspended from membership for nine (9) months while Ralph Jooma, has been removed from his position as National Director of Economic Affairs in the NGC.
Warns DPP: “The Party calls upon its members to respect and abide by the above resolutions, to desist from any misconduct in the Party and never to undermine and disrespect the leadership at any levels within the structures of the party. The Party will not hesitate to take any disciplinary action against any misconduct.”
Earlier this year, the party’s disciplinary committee summoned some of its members to explain their role in the NGC meeting that was held last year, organized by the party’s former Secretary General Grezelder Jeffrey without the party leader’s blessing.
Political analysts have repeatedly warned the party president, Peter Mutharika to tread carefully on how he handles his critics to avoid facing the predicament of losing some members ahead of the 2025 general elections.
During the DPP’s fundraising dinner and dance in 2023, Mutharika lamented losing 20 percent votes from UTM leader, Saulos Chilima to Tonse Alliance after he had dumped the party following political bickering.
Mutharika declared he would contest for the presidency at the party’s convention.
Ironically, the fired Nankhumwa openly declared to challenge Mutharika for the position.
