National Bank of Malawi has responded to government’s call to take part in the fight against COVID 19 pandemic by donating 60 million Kwacha worth of critical medical supplies to government.
Minister of Health Khumbize Chiponda Kandodo speaking after receiving the donation in Blantyre, commended National Bank, and urged other institutions to emulate. Chiponda accompanied by another member of COVID- 19 task force Minister of Information Gospel Kazako said the donation will go along way in fighting the pandemic in Malawi.
Macfussy Kawawa, Chief Executive Officer for National Bank said the institution has lost many employees to COVID-19 and several others are sick. He said this is what prompted the bank to donate the health supplies which include ventilators, oximeters and oxygen cylinders. National Bank of Malawi has also donated 10 million Kwacha towards citizen initiatives in fighting COVID-19
President Lazarus Chakwera has told the nation that he met the ministers of Agriculture and Finance with the aim of engaging ADMARC to make sure the maize price goes on subsidy this season at all Depots of the facility.
President Chakwera made the remarks during the National Address he had from Kamuzu Palace on Sunday evening January 24, 2021 on the war against Covid-19. President Chakwera said although the decision may come with losses on the side of the government but it will ensure that Malawians buy the staple grain at an affordable price despite losing some of their income-generating activities due to pandemic and the state of National Disaster. He added that the subsidized grain price will protect the poor and affected citizens from predators who are bent on exploiting the pandemic for profits.
President Chakwera delivering National Address on Covid19
President Chakwera in his speech thanked all the companies who are responding to their corporate social responsibility in answering to his call for donations. Here president Chakwera commended all those who are sacrificing to fight the pandemic singling out Society of Medical Doctors, Covid Response by Private Citizens, Malawi Health Care Support in UK, for raising K100 million, K50 million and donation of 1,000 beds respectively not forgetting the initiative which is providing Frontline health workers with food everyday, saying these are examples of Malawians doing sacrificial things for their own country. President Chakwera has since urged all Malawians to take part in such activities.
Further president Chakwera’s speech warns all clusters under his Task Force to be submitting to his office and releasing weekly report to public of their expenditures, failing which president Chakwera will deal with such clusters or any cluster engaged in wasteful conduct.
On the issue of closed boarding schools which have sent their students home, president Chakwera said the parents and guardians have to keep them in isolation for the next two weeks and get them tested before returning to school when the president gives such a directive.
During the address president Chakwera was joined by Dr. Mwansambo from the health ministry and Dr. Phuka from the PTF on Covid-19 who gave updates on the pandemic.
The Minister of Civic Education and National Unity Timothy Mtambo on Wednesday met representatives of The Returnees and Ex-detainees Association of Malawi, a group of victims of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) one party regime. The group continues to push for compensation from government for their plight and have concerns over previous governments failure to honour the compensation promises.
According to the returnees the past regimes have failed to honour them with compensation over their victimization during the one-party rule. They acknowledged that there was a partial payment during Bakili Muluzi era but since then, they have been left to rot and their attempts to engage with the government ignored. They further complained that they had been forced to accept settlement places which were not in their favour because they wanted to settle where their families were. The group feel their issue had been largely been politicized overtime. They pleaded with the Minister for his support to push for their voice to be heard on the grievances.
Hon Mtambo Meeting Returnees in Lilongwe
According to a reports these returnees are said to have suffered serious human rights violations during the one party rule which included detention without good cause or trial of any one perceived to be a rebel or not towing along the philosophy of MCP, inhumane treatment in prisons, torture, unfair termination of employment, loss of property , loss of life and many were forced into exile.
The majority of them went to South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique where they had spent years avoiding political persecution by Malawi’s old one party regime.
The Minister assured the returnees that the Tonse government will do everything possible to make sure their grievances are heard. He assured them of maximum engagement on any burning issues and that part of the duties of his ministry was to facilitate this national healing.
Mtambo further highlighted that the Tonse administration is planning to work on a bill which will be tabled in parliament for discussion before it comes into law so that It can assist in the development of a framework of assisting victims of political persecution.
Also Speaking at the meeting, the groups Chairperson,  Sangwani Mkandawire, expressed dissatisfaction with how the previous government have frustrated them and their attempts to get compensation. He cited political influence as a big challenge in their cause. He however expressed optimism with the new Tonse government that their concerns will be addressed. Mkandawire disclosed that the only money paid was in the range of MK15, 000 and MK20, 000 as partial payment when National tribunal office was in existence but now is closed. An ombudsman report back in 2017 found a lot of maladministration and irregularities with the National Tribunal service that includes favouritism in the priority of payment to claimants , payments made to prominent political figures even before the tribunal was set up and insufficient funding by the government.
Further to their grievances, the group had also planned to hold demos which were expected to take place on 24th of January should the Tonse government fail to honour their demands. The Minister however, assured them that government is seriously working on their issues, an outcome that satisfied the group, as they opted to suspend the proposed demos and choose to go the dialogue route.
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) says the death of Muhammad Sidik Mia is a big loss to the nation as he was very patriotic and had the welfare of his countrymen at heart.Harry Mkandawire, MCP second vice president made the remarks Thursday in Chikwawa after condoling the Mia family.
In his eulogies to the family, Mkandawire said the country and entire MCP family across the nation is deeply saddened by the death of Mia who was dedicated to duty.
Hon Harry Mkandawire and Hon Abida Mia
Mkandawire said many in MCP and even others outside the party tapped from his vast experience and knowledge.”I came here representing the party. We are ravaged with grief at the loss of Honourable Sidik Mia who was our first vice president in the party. We were relying on him to support the party structures and yes we were relying on him for he demonstrated unwavering support to President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, the nation and party. Dr Chakwera is deeply saddened by this loss,” said Mkandawire.
Mkandawire added that Mia could best be remembered by many with his selfless and generous personality, saying the fallen politician committed his resources to supporting party structures on the ground as well as extending his hands to the less privileged in his home district and beyond. “You can recall how right honourable Mia contributed to the success of MCP convention. He was very instrumental not only to the party but even to people from his constituency. He was man of the people and am at loss of words. You can also recall that some quarters thought he would not relinquish his position to the Vice President Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima when we were forming the Tonse Alliance.”This just attest to the fact that he put his country first. I have told the Deputy Minister of Lands Abida Mia that the party, the nation and the President is grieving with the family. I have urged her to continue the legacy of honour,” he said.
Hon Mkandawire at Sidik grave
The Cabinet Minister succumbed to COVID-19 on Tuesday, January 12 a few hours after another Cabinet Minister Lingson Belekanyama passed on due to the same pandemic. The Malawi leader directed that the nation observes three days of national mourning and all flags should fly at half mast. Mkandawire was in company of deputy presidential advisor on religious affairs, Sheikh Hashim Abasi
His Excellency the state president of Malawi Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has declared a State of National Disaster following the devastating increase in the spread of Covid-19 pandemic .
President Chakwera made the declaration in his special address to the nation from Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe in the afternoon of Tuesday January 12,2021with a call for more assistance from the international community, relevant United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations and private sector for uncommon contributions towards the resources needed to meet present challenges of COVID-19 pandemic.Â
President Chakwera
Chakwera said this state of national disaster is a step towards possible declaration of the state of emergency upon consultations with relevant authorities. President Chakwera has also told the nation that he has called for an emergency meeting of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 to explore additional measures to be effected immediately in view of the declaration made and other measures on the pandemic.
In his address, president Chakwera who sounded so touched and devastated directed that all national flags fly at half-mast across the country while observing a three-day period of national mourning for the government officials and citizens the country has lost to Covid-19 pandemic. But the president was quick to express his hope that as long as he lives, soon or later the pandemic shall be overcome.
So far Malawi has registered over 2,500 new infections in the past 11 days with over 235 deaths which include 2 of president Chakwera’s cabinet members namely Honorables Lingson Belekanyama and Muhammad Sidik Mia.
