Minister of Trade and Industry Mark Katsonga Phiri has issued a “final warning” to cooking oil suppliers and retailers who have not reduced prices following the removal of 16.5 % Value Added Tax (VAT).
In a statement, Katsonga says the government will take drastic action on all the traders that fail to comply.
“The drastic action will be applicable to all traders that are not abiding by the said gazette notice,” says Katsonga.
He has since then urged all consumers to report all suppliers who have not reduced the prices to his Ministry so as it take an urgent action.
Katsonga Phiri expressed concern with how the cooking oil suppliers acted with speed to increase their prices when the government introduced VAT on cooking oil in November.
Following the development ministry of trade together with CFTC have dispatched teams to all cooking oil outlets in the country to conduct inspections and take action against all traders that are still charging VAT on cooking oil.
The ministry is further assuring consumers that that it will not tolerate any trader taking advantage of them.
Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly who is also Democratic Progressive Party ( DPP) President for the South Kondwani Nankhumwa has given President Lazarus Chakwera 14 days ultimatum to resolve all challenges that Malawians are passing through.
Nankhumwa made the remarks yesterday when was addressing the magnitude of people who gathered at Mgona ground in Lilongwe where he held a political rally.
Nankhumwa said, Chakwera should stop his crop inspection tours and instead concentrate on issues that can address challenges that have skyrocketed Malawi’s economy.
Kondwani Nankhumwa
He said, as one of addressing challenges such as the rising cost of living, Chakwera has to engage and work together with companies and stakeholders that produce edible products in the country such as oil, sugar and soap manufacturing companies.
Nankhumwa stressed that, Chakwera’s ongoing Crop Inspection Tours and other abroad trips are just wasting tax payers money which could otherwise be used in other important developmental projects such as construction of hospitals, school blocks and other many.
” He had a lot of promises which Malawians believed will help them, but he has never achieved even one of the promises. Malawians are still suffering from the rising cost of living and other economic challenges. He has to act immediately to save Malawians who voted him with the hope to be saved,” he said.
Nankhumwa is one of the DPP’s top officials who are competing for the party’s presidential position ahead of 2025 general elections.
In a departure from what almost became a norm in past regimes, President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera on Sunday took his time to salute the country’s workforce in keeping Malawi’s socio-economic drive steady amid challenges.
The President joined workers in the country in commemorating the 2022 Labour Day whose main event was held in Mzuzu under the theme: Workers Rights, Prerequisite for Inclusive Development.
While the tradition in the past would see the presidency defending attacks from labour unions and employers alike on seemingly faulty policy direction affecting the sector, Chakwera instead chose the moment to praise the workforce and acknowledged existing gaps in upholding workers’ rights in the country.
President Chakwera at Labour Day commemorations
“I want you to know that I am aware that most of you continue to be underpaid; others seemingly can’t breathe under the strenuous weight of increasing high prices of goods and services, and yes, others feel we [government] haven’t been helpful enough in your various causes.
“Much as all those highlighted are real challenges affecting workers rights in the country, I would like to take this opportunity to praise you all for being resilient through all the difficulties we have been through as a nation. It is that spirit of ‘never give up ‘ that have built nations since time immemorial,” Chakwera said.
The President also praised employers for what he termed as “staying true to the country’s notion of _umunthu_ made manifest through the former’s reluctance to release their respective workers amid Covid-19.
He explained: “Business has been slow and at a time we all thought it would pick up, then came the cyclones, with Anna the most devastating.
“And yet, you still clung to your workers at a time it would have been understandable to lay them off. I would therefore be failing in my duties if I don’t salute that spirit in our employers as well for prioritising the welfare of the workers at the expense of profit-making.”
Chakwera’ sentiments were echoed in an earlier address by Employers Consultaive Association of Malawi (Ecama) board chairperson, Zandile Shaba.
She highlighted the rising cost of doing business in the country; albeit the continued distruptions in the global supply chains and other policy gaps in administering labour laws in the country as some areas that have been hindering other employers from realising their maximum potential.
“Also, Mr Pesident, we are appalled to hear reports prevalence of gender-based violence including sexual harassment in the workplace to this day.
” You may agree with me that such is a deterent to some hardworking workforce who would have otherwise helped in steering the country’s economic fortunes. May you kindly help curb such incidences so as we have secure and safe working environments, especially for our women,” Shaba said.
The Ecama board chairperson, however, hailed government for creating an enabling environment for doing business in the country; the employee-employer dialogue between the key highlight.
“We ask for this to continue. We need to constantly engage each other, including the vital role the line ministry plays.
“Dialogue always builds. As employers, we need workers and the worker needs the employer. In the end, we are all working towards a common goal. Together, we can make Malawi find its lost glory again,” said Shaba.
The commemorations in Mzuzu were preceded by a solidarity march for workers where Chakwera was joined by other top government officials including Minister of Unity Timothy Mtambo and his Labour counterpart, Vera Kamtukule.
International Labour Day, also known as Workers or May Day, is celebrated across the globe on 1 May every year.
Mainly, events commemorating the day seek to advocate for meaningful unionism among workers.
Chakwera has since vowed to uphold workers rights throughout his reign to ensure the country’s workforce is freed from any ills hibernating their potential.
This was recently manifested when the President ordered an upward revision of salaries in the civil service by 12 per cent owing to the crushing effects of a surge in commodity and services’ pricing across the globe.
TNM Super League defending champions Nyasa Big Bullets have reduced their gap on the league leaders Blue Eagles FC to two points following their 4-1 victory over Rumphi United at Kamuzu Stadium on Sunday.
Captain Chimwemwe Idana nudged his side ahead in the 28th minute from the rebound after his header from a Patrick Mwaungulu’s corner kick hit the upright.
Hassan Kajoke doubled the lead 10 minutes later with a brilliant finish after Rumphi goalkeeper Anthony Singini saved a Precious Sambani’s connection from a Patrick Maungulu free kick.
In the second half the Leopards had a chance to reduce the arrears after Precious Phiri conceded a freekick in the dengerous position but Ganizani Muomba’s shot went straight into Rabson Chiyenda’s palms.
Kajoke registered his name again on the score sheet from the penalty spot after Patrick Mwaungulu was fouled in the penalty box.
After creating three scoring opportunities for Idana and Kajoke, it was now the turn for Patrick Mwaungulu to score his first goal for the People’s team.
Mwaungulu scored the goal in the 64th minute after receiving a pass from Kajoke.
The visitors got their consolation through Trouble Kajani who scored his fourth goal of the season in the 78th minute to draw tally with Red Lions’ Royal Bokosi who has also scored four goals so far.
In Karonga, Mafco FC suffered a 1-nil defeat to Karonga United. Josaya Duwa scored the only goal of the match.
The game between Ekwendeni Hammers and Moyale Barracks was shifted to Monday due to a Presidential function that took place at the Mzuzu Upper Stadium.
On Monday, Dedza Dynamos will host bottom placed TN Stars at Balaka Stadium.
Stain Devie steered Silver Strikers to a 2-1 win against Mighty Wanderers in a TNM Super League match played at Silver Stadium in Lilongwe.
Duncain Nyoni scored Silver’s first goal in the 60th minute but the visitors equalised in the 77th minute through Muhammad Sulumba.
Davie then capitalized from a communication breakdown between defender Miracle Gabeya and his goalkeeper Richard Chipuwa to score the winning goal for the central bankers for them to move to position five on the log table.
Following the loss, Wanderers are now on position seven with 10 points after playing seven games.
Elsewhere, Blue Eagles consolidated their lead at the top of the TNM Super League following a 2-1 win against Sable Farming on Saturday
Oswald Maonga and Shumacher Kuwali were on target for the league leaders while Sable got their consolation through Emmanuel Lino.
The area 30 side remain top with 22 points from seven games followed by Nyasa Big Bullets who have got 17 points. The People’s team have a chance to narrow the gap as they host Rumphi United on Sunday.
In the capital city, the match between Civil Service United and Kamuzu Barracks ended in a 1-all draw, with both teams mustering a point each.
Christopher Kumwembe and Ndaona Daisi scored for Civil Service United and KB respectively.
In Balaka, Red Lions beat Rumphi United 1-0 through a goal that was scored by Royal Bokosi
On Sunday, apart from the Bullets-Rumphi game, Ekwendeni Hammers will be at Mzuzu Stadium playing 13th placed Moyale Barracks.
Moyale are coming from a 1-2 loss to Nyasa Big Bullets last Wednesday at the same venue.
In another match to be played on Sunday, Karonga United will be at home against Mafco FC as Dedza Dynamos hosts bottom placed TN Stars at Balaka Stadium on Monday.
