After spending years in government and now in opposition, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika and the Mutharika family will hold a memorial for the late,Bingu. The ceremony is due to take place in Thyolo.
Organizing Committee Chairperson Francis Mphepo, has said the service will take place Tuesday next week. The event will start with prayers at Chingazi Catholic Church and later wreaths laying ceremony at Mpumulo wa Bata Mausoleum.
Political analyst George Chaima says late Bingu’s legacy is worth remembering.
Chaima cited things like construction of Malawi University of Science and Technology, Chipembere Highway, Parliament building and National Stadium, and food security as some of his achievements.
Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika founded Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and he died in office in 2012 following a cardiac arrest attack.
Oldies 70s Connection Lilongwe Chapter, a grouping of men and women born between 1970 and 1979; on Thursday donated 19 sacks and 36 cartons of assorted clothes and shoes to people affected by Tropical Storm ANA.
Speaking at Capital Hill, Lilongwe during the handover ceremony of the donation, the group’s Vice Treasurer Hannah Ngulinga said as a responsible group, they thought of reaching out to people who were affected by ANA.
“We collected assortments of clothes and shoes for men, women and children from members. We also collected some items from a Lumbadzi-based philanthropic organisation headquartered in the United States of America.
“We thought of handing over the donation to DoDMA (Department of Disaster Management Affairs) for you are better placed to know the existing gaps and direct the donation to rightful beneficiaries,” said Ngulinga.
In his remarks, DoDMA’s Deputy Director responsible for Preparedness Fedson Chikuse, who coincidentally; is also a member of the Oldies 70s Connection, commended the group for the kind gesture.
“It is encouraging that as Malawians, we are able to assist one another in times of need. As a people, we shouldn’t be waiting for foreign donors. Whatever we donate can make a difference and I commend the group for mobilising themselves and make this donation,” said Chikuse.
The group, which was formed in March 2019, sprouted from Cape Town-based founder Diana Ngulinga’s idea of connecting with friends born in the 70s. Since its formation, it has been engaged in a number of charitable works aimed at assisting the less privileged.
Among other means, the group connects through social gatherings and social media platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp.
Mastercard and Network International have aimed to increase the adoption of digital payments in Malawi, in partnership with NBS Bank.
NBS Bank will launch a Mastercard virtual payment solution that will enable its customers to make a range of ecommerce payments to merchants that accept Mastercard locally and internationally. For instance, virtual cardholders can pay for subscription streaming services, advertising on social media platforms, online shopping as well as travel and bills. It will also allow small business owners to purchase from international suppliers.
To pay for purchases using the virtual payment solution, NBS Bank customers will receive a 16-digit card number, security code, and expiry date, which they will use to complete an online purchase like they would with a physical card. The payment solution also features multiple layers of security to ensure that the customer’s financial data is private.
Mastercard and Network International have a long-standing partnership, including Mastercard’s investment in Network International and a shared commitment to develop payment solutions that will grow electronic transactions across the MEA region.
A Magistrate’s court in Kasungu has adjourned to Thursday to give judgement on bail application by Prophet Bently Canan who is facing defilement charge.
Police arrested Canan, leader of the New Life Installation Christian Church, for allegedly defiling and impregnating his 16 year old house girl and is currently remanded to Kasungu Prison. Defense Counsel, Moses Nkhono of Lincoln Edwards and company wants the court to release his client on bail considering that he has a right to bail, his case is bailable, he is a Malawian citizen and church minister
But state prosecutors Sergent Edwin Wala and Superintendent Majoni Phiri are denying the application claiming the suspect can interfere with state witnesses, holds two passports for Malawi and South Africa and could sneak out of the country , and also that he allegedly intimidated the victim to drop the case or she would not give birth. Nkhono urged in court that the state submissions were based on speculations without evidence.
First Grade Magistrate Damiano Banda has reserved his bail rulling to Thurday, March 31,2022.
Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) and Inspector General of Police George Kainja on Monday met at Police Headquarters in Lilongwe to discuss the recent security lapse in the country. HRDCs meeting with the IG come at a time when the Public Appointments Committee (PAC) of Parliament is also expected to meet the police chief on similar issues.
In a telephone interview HRDC chairperson Gift Trapence said they decided to meet the IG to find out efforts the police are putting in place amid the public’s concerns on the security lapse. He said during the meeting the IG assured that a number of initiatives are being put in place to ensure that police are in control of the situation.
Trapence said: “The Inspector General agreed with us on observations that there is a security lapse and we have been given an assurance that police is doing all it can to ensure security is guaranteed for its citizens.”
Among others, the HRDC chairperson said there is a provision of about 120 vehicles to assit police with patrols and enhance police visibility. But Trapence said the IG disclosed in the meeting that there were few police officers, which was proving a challenge in maintaining law and order.
During the meeting, it was observed that Malawi’s police to population ratio is at one officer to 1 300 civilians against the United Nations (UN) guidelines which entails one police officer to 500 civilians.
Kainja also disclosed that government has committed to deliver 110 vehicles to strengthen patrols and increase police visibility.
In a separate statement the HRDC issued, during the meeting, the two sides also discussed the killing of a Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) officer in Dedza and a private practice lawyer in Blantyre.
The security lapse has not spared State institutions including Sanjika Palace in Blantyre where thieves on February 20 2022 stole 50 metres of razor wire. Criminals also broke into Zomba Police Station and stole a rifle loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition.
