A strong warning has gone out to Kamuzu Academy teachers in Kasungu over their reported threat to down tools over their unaddressed grievances including appointment of a new headteacher and the general running of the institution.
In a letter this publication has in possession, the school’s Board of Directors have warned that any teacher who tries to be part of this action risks facing serious disciplinary measures.
Reads part of the letter “It is not expected that teachers of higher caliber required to teach at the prestigious Kamuzu Academy can air their grievances and threaten to stage a sit-in (strike) through an anonymous article floated in the social media.”
Among others, the teachers claim the new headteacher does not allow them to go outside school campus before 3:30pm even when they do not have lessons.
They are also protesting against the alleged ban of entertainment activities at the institution. Kamuzu Academy is a private boarding school in Malawi that was founded by, and named after, the late Hastings Kamuzu Banda, the former President of Malawi.
Opened its doors in 1975, the school is described by its proponents as “The Eton of Africa”.
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.
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.
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.
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.
