Former President Peter Mutharika’s step-son Tadikira Mafubza and four others have been charged with Murder and aggrivated trafficking in persons.
Meanwhile, Lilongwe Chief Resident Magistrate Madalitso Khoswe Chimwaza has committed the suspects to the High Court (Mzuzu registry).
Tadikila to face Murder Charges
She says, processes to apply for bail will be done at the Mzuzu Court.
Tadikira and the four others will remain in custody waiting for the processes to commence at the Mzuzu High Court.
The five were arrested in connection to the 30 bodies of suspected victims of human trafficking, which were found in a mass grave in Mtangatanga Forest in Mzimba District.
The opposition Democratic Progressive Party -DPP has faulted Parliament for not rejecting the recommendation to increase number of Constituencies.
Last week, parliament adopted a report that increased number of Constituencies from 193 to 229.
In a statement signed by Shadric Namalomba, Former President Peter Mutharika’s spokesperson has said DPP is against the increase of constituencies.
Namalomba
“The DPP reiterates its position against the resolution to increase the number of constituencies from 193 to 229. The DPP believes that the economy of Malawi which is classified by the World Bank as a least developing country with a GDP of US$12 billion and with a per capita of US$625.29 as of 2020 cannot sustain 229 constituencies, “reads the statement.
It appears that the raging political whirlwind sweeping across the UTM camp will leave party president Saulos Chilima isolated and lonely.
Not long ago Chilima lost his trusted members of the media to Malawi Congress Party (MCP) following a fallout emanating from unpaid allowances. At the time of ditching UTM the cheerleaders told the world that Chilima is one of the manipulative and ungrateful leaders they have seen.
If the loss of Chilima’s cheerleaders like Aubi Fickson, Cleo Manyamba, Stain Malikebu, John Cupstone and others whose job was to cover Chilima’s flaws and defend his endless scandals was seen as the devastating blow to Chilima and the UTM, the resignation of party spokesperson Frank Mwenefumbo feels like the beginning of the end of the once promising party.
Mwenifumbo
On Tuesday, Mwenefumbo announced that he has resigned from his position of spokesperson of UTM and has since renounced his membership for the party.
In his resignation letter circulating on social media, Mwenifumbo said he should have announced his resignation earlier but his timing of quitting coincided with the illness of the Second Lady Mary Chilima (the spouse to Soulos Chilima).
“On 13 October, 2022, I called on the Party President, RT. Hon.Dr.Saulos Klaus Chilima, at his private office in area 43 to tender my resignation from Party membership. I explained to the President my reasons for my resignation, and he graciously accepted it’’
Mwenifumbo did not disclose the reasons for ditching Chilima but he said he wants to concentrate on his business and farming and he does not have any aspirations to join any other political party now or in the near future.
“I intend to live a private life and concentrate on my business and farming at the village. I also do not, at the moment, intend to join any political party or participate in any political activity”
Chilima must be a lonely man now as Mwenefumbo was the only party steward who was beside him during his recent political scandals and he defended him nevertheless.
Tumpale, as he is popularly known, was surely his last man standing.
Controversial Member of Parliament for Mzimba North Yeremiah Chihana on Tuesday, November 22,2022 faced another slap from the office of the Speaker of the National Assembly following his failure to unconditionally withdraw insinuation that 30 billion kwacha meant for buying fertilizer in the Affordable Inputs Program (AIP) for 2022/23 farming season was stolen.
Last week, Chihana who is AFORD Member of Parliament made in the August House allegation that K30 billion was stolen and was ordered to take to the office of the Speaker evidence over the matter, which on Tuesday he claimed to have submitted, prompting the Leader of the house, Richard Chimwendo Banda to ask the Second Deputy Speaker to pronounce herself on the matter.
Yeremiah Chihana
“I am standing this afternoon Madam because this is the house of records, and it’s said the house of records and traditions. What was communicated late in the morning before we went for lunch break is that the Honorable Member for Mzimba North has given information regarding the 30 billion kwacha insinuation that he made in the house.
I therefore wanted you to pronounce yourself on the same, because the social media out there is actually writing that now Mzimba North has given the evidence. So we are also eagerly waiting for your direction about the evidence.” Said Chimwendo Banda.
In her response, Second Deputy Speaker, Aisha Mambo Adam told the house that at the time the matter was being presented on the floor, she had no information, a communication which did not please the government side, prompting to request for 20 minutes suspension of the house until the information is brought before the house.
When the house resumed after the suspension, the Second Deputy Speaker confirmed to the house having received the evidence from Mzimba North Parliamentarian.
“After looking at the evidence, here is my ruling; Honorable Members, I wish to advise that indeed the Honorable Member for Mzimba North brought to my office, the office of the Speaker, some photocopied documents which have been shared with the leadership of this house as evidence.
Having gone through the documents which the Member brought as evidence do not in anyway indicate that 30 billion kwacha has disappeared or stolen. The documents in question speak to K750 million which was paid for the procurement of fertilizer which the joint Committee on the Affordable Inputs Program is currently investigating.
The documents which Mzimba North has submitted have been extracted from a submission by Ecobank to the joint Committee of the equivalent 750 million kwacha to would-be fertilizer suppliers. In view of the forgoing, my office rejects the documents submitted by Mzimba North as evidence to support his allegation that 30 Billion Malawi Kwacha was stolen.” Read part of the ruling by the Second Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, while adding that the statement by Chihana was sessentional, and unparliamentary that can damage the dignity of the house and integrity of the Members.
Chihana was then suspended until Thursday morning, before handing him an increased suspension to Monday, November 28,2022 following his untolerated behavior when he was slapped in the face with the first disciplinary suspension.
Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima has applauded President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera for working tooth and nail to secure the US$88.3 million International Monetory Fund (IMF) Rapid Credit Facility (RCF).
IMF Board meeting on Monday 21st November, 2022 approved US$88.3 million under the Rapid Credit Facility (RCF).
Minister of Finance, Sosten Gwengwe confirmed the development saying the money will be disbursed to Malawi with immediate effect.
Gwengwe explained that the funds will help the country in replenishing the country’s forex reserve.
Writing on his Facebook page, Chilima said the development calls for celebration and appreciation of efforts led by Dr. Chakwera and Minister of Finance Sosten Gwengwe.
“The news that the IMF Board has approved US$88.3m to Malawi under the new a Food Shock Window is indeed good news and calls for celebration and appreciation of efforts led by His Excellency Dr Lazarus Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi and Minister of Finance Hon. Sosten Gwengwe. Mindset Change is about celebrating milestones achieved as we take aim at greater things to come as espoused in the National Development Blueprint – MW2063,” said the vice president.
“So today, we have reason to celebrate because this is good news. Change happens by changing – they say!.”
Last month, Malawi became the first low income country to reach a staff level agreement to receive the amount under the IMF’s new Food Shock Window.
The disbursement of the money is expected to address Malawi’s urgent balance of payment needs.
This is good news to the Chakwera led administration which is working around the clock to bring back to life the country’s economy which was left in tatters by the erstwhile Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration.
