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Chilima’s corruption case bail conditions ruling on August 1

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Chilima’s corruption case bail conditions ruling on August 1

By Chisomo Phiri

The Financial Crimes Court is scheduled to deliver its ruling on August 1st, 2023, regarding the bail variation application filed by Vice President Soulos Chilima on allegations of receiving $280,000 from Zuneth Sattar.

Vice President Chilima was arrested in 2022 but released on bail under certain conditions, which included surrendering his passport and reporting to the Anti-Corruption Bureau every three months.

Chilima arriving at Court



However, Chilima’s legal team is seeking to have the bail conditions removed, arguing that it is possible for a person to be on bail without such restrictions, citing the case of former Vice President Cassim Chilumpha, who faced a treason case.

High Court Judge Redson Kapindu has on Wednesday set August 1, 2023, as the date to decide on the application to vary the bail conditions and also take plea.

In an interview with local media, one of Chilima’s lawyers Khumbo Soko, said given the caliber of the defendant, there is no suspicion that he would attempt to flee, making the conditions unnecessary.

Said Soko:“The high office which he occupies, there can be no suspicion that he is going to run away, to that extent therefore no justifications of having these conditions, unless perhaps there something that we seeking to achieve, or just to humiliate him.”

On the other hand, Hilary Chilomba, Deputy Director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) requested that the High Court uphold the conditions set by the Chief Resident Magistrate Court, arguing that these conditions were put in place considering that the accused is the country’s Vice President.

“We should respect the lower courts which actually came up with the bail conditions they knew that he is the vice president so we stick to that” said Chilomba.

Chilima was arrested on November 25, 2022 by the Anti-Corruption Bureau on allegations of accepting a reward of 280,000 United States dollars from Zuneth Sattar to assist Sattar’s company, Xaviar Limited, in securing a Food Ration Packs Contract worth $7.8 million from the Malawi government for the Malawi Police.

The Veep has been on bail after obtaining a K1m bail, surrendering his passport.

He has been reporting to ACB every three months and these are the conditions he wants be waived.

Kamuzu Central Hospital hikes bypass fee to K10, 000

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Kamuzu Central Hospital hikes bypass fee to K10, 000

By Chisomo Phiri

Kamuzu Central Hospital(KCH) has on Wednesday announced hiking its bypass fee from K1, 500 to K10, 000 effective August 1, 2023 .

Bypass fee is the fee that patients pay when they go to the referral hospital without being sent, as a referral case, by a health centre they initially visited.

In a statement, KCH Director Dr.Jonathan Ngoma said most patients go to the referral hospital without referral letters contrary to what is expected hence the fee hike.

KCH Director Dr.Jonathan Ngoma



He warned that those without referral letters and are unable to pay the new bypass fee will be sent back to the nearest health centres.

According to Ngoma, the main reason to raise the bypass fee is to reduce congestion at the central hospital and encourage patients to seek treatment at their respective health centres.

“It has been noted that people come straight to this facility, bypassing the health facilities close to them.

“This affects the ability of KCH to provide its services in an effective and efficient manner. KCH is only supposed to handle cases which have been attended to at the lower levels,” he said.

But in an interview with local media, Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN) Executive Director George Jobe has condemned the adjustment of the bypass fees, saying it is violating access to free and quality health services.

Jobe has however, asked the government to improve primary health care in the cities as some places do not have health centres despite having large populations.

Impressive performance:Maranatha Academy sends 306 students to various public universities

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Impressive performance:Maranatha Academy sends 306 students to various public universities

By Chisomo Phiri

One of the country’s famous private institutions Maranatha Academy has once again become a talk of the town after showing an impressive performance in the just released public university selection by sending 306 students to the higher learning institutions.

This is according to university selection results released by the National Council for Higher Education(NCHE) on Tuesday.



Out of the figure, 141 are girls while 165 are boys.

In an interview, the Academy’s Managing Director (MD) Ernest Kaonga said the achievement comes from hard work from both teachers and students.

“This is no mean achievement and we thank the parents for entrusting us with the future of their children and students for their hard working spirit,” said Kaonga.

He added: “This is a clear sign that our schools are dedicated in offering high quality education to both boys and girls and I want to assure Malawians that we will strive to ensure that our high educational standards are maintained.”

Last year, the school sent 235 students to various public universities, 111 girls and 124 boys.

NCHE announced that out of 19 760 applications, this year, 8 552 students have been selected to various public universities.

According to NCHE , St Mary’s secondary school has sent 102 students to public universities, Marist 73, Target Mzuzu 109, Stella Maris 86, Zomba Catholic 80, Likuni 154, Chaminade 132, Mary Mount 112, Atsikana Paulendo 90 and Michiru View 85.

Kaonga, Maranatha Academy Managing Director

Chintheche United Football Club banned from sporting activities over violent acts

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Chintheche United Football Club banned from sporting activities over violent acts

By Chisomo Phiri

The Northern Region Football Association(NFRA) has on Wednesday banned SIMSO-Innobuild League outfit, Chintheche United Football Club over violent acts.

According NFRA General Secretary (GS) Masiya Nyasulu, the ban means that Chintheche FC is not allowed to participate in all sporting activities organized by NRFA for a period of two years.

Chintheche



He said the ban is aimed at helping the team to reform and learn smart football.

The team was involved in the assault of an NRFA official during their game against Nkhata Bay Select FC last weekend.

Following the ban,the team will therefore,not play their remaining three games in Cluster C where they were on second position with 12 points.

This works in favor of Kadona Stars, which will now occupy position two with eleven points ahead of their two to three games.

Chakwera administration gives people of Area 49 a new lease of life, launches K3.8 billion road project

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Chakwera administration gives people of Area 49 a new lease of life, launches K3.8 billion road project

By Linda Kwanjana

People of Area 49 in Lilongwe have every reason to smile following the launch of a tarmac project in the area.

The road has been in bad shape for a long time and launching of the project is a huge relief to residents around the area.

The project will be done jointly by Projex Group Limited and Master Construction.



Government is expected to spend K3.8 billion and will be funded through Road Fund Administration.

Speaking during the ground breaking ceremony, Lilongwe City Council Mayor Councillor Richard Banda appealed to the contractor to finish this project in time.

“Make sure to complete the project by erecting hamps road signs and a proper drainage system,” he emphasized.

He then advised the community around the area to help in securing machines that will be used for the project.

Member of Parliament for the area Alfred Jiya was all smiles that the project has finally come into reality.

He commended people of the area for their patience.

Jiya said it was sad that in the past, people around the area were contributing money to have the road graded.

The member of parliament also expressed happiness that Kaunda Road will soon be dualised.

He commended Lilongwe City Council for ensuring that road network in the city is of high standard.

In his speech, Councillor Patrick Makumba commended Lilongwe City Council for the road project.

Makumba urged the contractor to employ people from the area.

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