The High Court in Lilongwe has ordered former Malawi Police Service acting Inspector General Duncan Mwapasa to pay businessman Matias Bonongwe about K40 million for instructing another businessperson, Yowasi Subster Valley, to seize seven vehicles from Bonongwe in March this year.

The High Court entered a default judgement on October 29, following failure by Mwapasa, who was the second defendant in the case, to defend himself in the matter.

But in an interview Wednesday, Mwapasa said he was not aware of the matter and the default judgement entered.

“Upon hearing counsel for claimant and upon reading the sworn statements in support of the judgement in default and upon being satisfied that the second defendant was duly served with the summons but did not show any intention to defend the claimant’s claim herein within the prescribed period, it is hereby ordered and directed that the judgement in default be and is hereby entered for the claimant…

“…second defendant is hereby ordered to pay the claimant the following as pleaded the sum of K40, 000,000 being the value of the motor vehicles impounded by the second defendant or the release of the motor vehicles, damages for loss of use of motor vehicles, damages for loss of business, damages for inconvenience and costs of this action,” reads part of the default judgement.

Lawyer for Bonongwe, Geoffrey Taumbe, Wednesday said Mwapasa acted in his personal capacity by instructing Valley to forcefully seize Bonongwe’s vehicles.

Mwapasa was appointed Inspector General of Police by former president Peter Mutharika in August last year, taking over from the then IG Rodney Jose, but was not confirmed by the Parliament.

When the Tonse Government came to power, President Lazarus Chakwera replaced Mwapasa with George Kainja.

The Minister of Civic Education and National Unity Timothy Mtambo on Saturday graced the Mkula Mchere cultural celebrations in Rumphi. He was the guest of honour at the event that took place at Senior Chief Mwankhunikira headquarters.This is an yearly event that is celebrated as part  of appreciating cultural existence.

Mkulamchere celebrations this year was held under the theme Ending Child Marriages as the chiefs aim to civic educate the locals on the need to end the tradition of getting young girls into marriage an at early age. Mtambo  presence as Minister of National Unity  was warmly appreciated by the chiefs and the locals in the area. He becomes the first minister to grace the occasion since the founding of the Mkulamchere heritage.

Speaking to reporters at the end of the ceremony Hon Timothy Mtambo said  he was happy that the organisers of the cultural event had decided to theme it Ending Child Marriages “ Government is at the forefront of eradicating child marriages and it is good to see traditional chiefs taking this proactive role. We need to end child marriages as it evil“

On the the cultural event , the honourable minister  said cultural celebrations are good for Malawi as  they help to unify people .”These events helps to promote unity and diversity . Culture brings identity to the people . We have young people here who are learning cultural activities that the old generation were doing “ . He went on to say these events are learning experiences for the young generation and helps to preserve the culture as it is being passed from generation to generation .

On his part senior chief Mwankhunikira thanked the honourable minister for making himself available to attend the event “We thank Hon Mtambo for honouring us by attending this event ,this cultural event is important to us as its a way to remember our ancestors, our  kids need  to know where our grandfathers come from and how they lived”

Mtambo also took advantage of the event to encourage young people  to rise up to the occasion and not fall prey to politicians who only want them for votes or political violence. He highlighted that  time has come  for the youths to use their energy for positive things such as development , educations and Job creation. He also reminded the people on issues of mob justice where he encouraged  them to refrain from taking the law into their own hands but to involve the police or traditional leaders if they have any differences. The minister assured the people that Government under the leadership of Dr Lazarus Chakwera  is geared to help them , empower them and work towards developing the country.

 As a symbolic gesture of respect, the chief gave Mtambo a gift of a goat .