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Commission of Inquiry Report Targets Chizuma and Infuriates the Public

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Commission of Inquiry Report Targets Chizuma and Infuriates the Public

By Staff Reporter

The office of the President and Cabinet has released findings and recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry on the arrest of the director general (DG) of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Martha Chizuma.

The President directed yesterday that the Commission of Inquiry releases the report to the Public. However the release of the report in a reduced format (only from chapter 8) from OPC, and circulated through social media instead of a proper Press Conference raises further difficult questions.

There is a general public outcry that the Commissioner’s report mainly serves to recommend removal of the ACB Director. Also the report exonerates those who were directly criminally or politically involved in authorizing Chizuma’s mafia style arrest.



The public had essentially wanted to know whether in top Government there was anyone else (apart from or including the DPP, AG, Inspector General, Cabinet Ministers, Party officials and President) who exactly knew prior to the arrest. The report is silent and only slightly places blame on police team leadership style that puts no responsibility on anyone.

The report has unearthed the following:

—The police acted on a complaint from Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Steve Kayuni regarding a leaked audio involving an ACB official and another person, however they made no independent investigations, and made own assumptions as to who Kayuni was complaining against.

—Chizuma committed an offense by discussing sensitive matters with a third party.

—DPP Kayuni abused office by pursuing a personal matter that affected the office of the DPP.

—Police used excessive force in arresting Chizuma. They arrested her around 3am, did not tell her where they were taking her and never involved female detectives.

—Chizuma was not manhandled and that some of the statements made in Parliament regarding the conduct of police were exaggerated.

—The Presidential directive to release the ACB DG unconditionally was not adhered to as police went on to caution her before releasing her on bail. There is therefore no evidence that the case was indeed withdrawn.

—There are serious mistrust issues among different offices mandated to fight corruption in the country.

The commission’s recommendations:

—The commission has recommended to the President to take urgent action to restore the dignity, trust and integrity of offices of the ACB DG, the Attorney General (AG) and the DPP.

—Regarding Chizuma and the leaked audio, the commission of inquiry has recommended that appropriate action be taken to deal with her conduct.

— The commission recommends that appropriate action be taken to deal with the conduct of Kayuni in the matter as it was found that he lacked sound judgment by abusing office powers to advance a person issue.

Political and legal analysts have raised questions on whether Chakwera’s administration is serious enough to win the fight against corruption or intends to continue moving in circles.

Former UDF SG Kennedy Makwagwala passes away

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Former UDF SG Kennedy Makwagwala passes away


By Chisomo Phiri

Death has been announced by former United Democratic Front (UDF) Secretary General Kennedy Makwangwala.

According to UDF’s Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Mwawa, the late Makwangwala died in the morning of Tuesday January 3,2022 at a certain hospital in Blantyre after a long illness.

The late Kennedy Makwangwala


“I confirm the death of our former Secretary General Kennedy Makwangwala who has died upon arrival at the hospital.

“He will be laid to rest tomorrow Wednesday at his home village, Chikande, Traditional Authority (T/A) Makwangwala in Ntcheu district,” confirmed Nthenda.

The late Makwangwala also served as a UDF Member of Parliament for Ntcheu Bwanje South from 1994 to 1999.

He died at the age of 74 and is survived with a wife and seven children.

MERA to conduct public hearings on 99% electricity tariffs hike

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MERA to conduct public hearings on 99% electricity tariffs hike

By Chisomo Phiri

Malawi’s power generation company, Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) says it will from January to February,2023 conduct public hearings on the proposed 99 percent electricity tarrif hike.

MERA Chief Executive Officer Henry Kachaje disclosed this on Tuesday January 3,2022 when he met the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament regarding the issue.

Kachaje



In his speech, Kachaje emphasised that the public needs to give input into the tarrif adjustment proposal, which was made by Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi and Power Market Limited, before a decision is made

” We want to hear peoples’ decision on the proposed electricity tariff hike.

“After that, we will take a next step,” said Kachaje.

The news that MERA wants to increase electricity tariffs by 99% did not go well with majority, saying the hike is too much for many to afford.

The Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) is proposing a 99 percent electricity tariff hike for the four-year period starting from October 2022 to October 2026.

In the Application, Escom wants electricity tariffs raised by K187.98 per kwh, a hike from the current K104 per Kwh.

Lilongwe city council closes wakawaka market, central poultry over poor sanitation

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Lilongwe city council closes wakawaka market, central poultry over poor sanitation

By Chisomo Phiri

Following an ongoing rise in the number of cholera cases in the country, Lilongwe city council authorities have today temporarily closed Wakawaka market and Central Poultry 2000 Limited in Lilongwe on accusations that they are failing to follow sanitation measures.

Mayor for Lilongwe city council Richard Banda has confirmed the development with local media saying this has been done in order to prevent people’s lives at risk of contracting cholera disease.



The Mayor inspected himself the market and the company where he noted poor sanitation.

According to Banda, the closure
will become effective tomorrow.

Banda said the facilities will be reopened once they comply with proper hygiene measures.

Lilongwe has so far, recorded 1,265 cholera cases and 106 deaths since the start of the outbreak in March.

Largely, Malawi has registered 18,222 cases and 620 deaths over the same period.

Yesterday alone, the country recorded 409 cases and 25 deaths.

In a similar development, government has suspended reopening of primary and secondary schools in Lilongwe and Blantyre due to the cholera outbreak.

Cholera is a bacterial disease usually spread through contaminated water.

The disease causes severe diarrhea and dehydration

If left untreated, cholera can be fatal within hours, even in previously healthy people.

Lilongwe NGO holds two-day gender based violence campaign

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Lilongwe NGO holds two-day gender based violence campaign

By Chisomo Phiri

In its quest to help the country in the fight against Gender Based Violence cases that are on rise, a Lilongwe-based local organization under the banner Youth Innovational Centre for Change ( YICC) was from December 31,2022 to January 1,2023 held a two-day GBV campaign in Chinsapo area in Lilongwe.

In an interview,the organization’s Exeutice Director Bridget Chaponda said the campaign which targeted young pregnant mothers, children and the elderly was organized after the organization noticed the rise in cases of child abuse and gender based violence in Chinsapo area.



Chiponda said this was also aimed sensitizing these groups living in Chinsapo area on child abuse case as well as gender based violences and let them know where they can report them when they experience such cases.

“We did this because currently, we have noted that there are rising cases of child abuse and gender based violence in Chinsapo area and mostly people they do hide when the experience any kind of abuse.

“We have also noted the increase of child labour where children are being sent to sell the product at late ours like 7 upwards even during the day instead of sending them to school.

“This has affected the future of our youths as it puts them at risk of dropping out from school,” said Chiponda.

YICC Project Coorditor Geoffrey Bwanali emphasized on the need for every child to be protected from all forms of abuses saying this can help create a better generation which will be self-sustained.

” Let me call on fellow Malawians that if we are to create a better future generation of this country, let’s protect our children from all forms of abuse.

“Not only children but also the elderly and young pregnant mothers.

“If someone of these groups is experiencing any form of abuse, let’s report such cases to the relevant authorities for help,” said Bwanali.

Chinsapo Police Station officer sergeant Edward Alufayi commended YICC for the campaign saying it will open ears for many in the communities and help them have enough understanding of gender based violence and related cases.

He said,police as one of the tools that help in ending GBV cases in communities across the country, they will make sure that everyone has access to their offices and report such cases.

” Our office doors are open and we urge you all to come and report any forms of abuse you experience and we are ready to consider them and take action, ” said Alufayi.

During the campaign period, the organization also donated assorted items to the elderly, children and young pregnant mothers living in the Chinsapo area.

Youth Innovational Center For Change is a youth and women-led organisation based in likuni in Lilongwe.

With its catchmen in Chinsapo area, the organization’s main aim is to empower youth by transforming and developing their talent so as for them to be self-reliant.

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