Blessings Tambala

The National Advocacy Platform (NAP), a local non-governmental organization championing the promotion of democratic values and protection of the rights of all Malawians, has condemned the recent wave of political violence in the country.

NAP Chairperson Benedicto Kondowe, who was reacting to the violence targeting Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) supporters in Mponela on Saturday last week, warned that the violence obtaining on the political scene could endanger lives, erode democracy, and disrupt national harmony.

Kondowe said the recent attack, allegedly perpetrated by MCP functionaries, perpetuates the disturbing trend of political violence undermining our democracy.

“We reference our prior statement from 24th February 2024, addressing the brutal assault on Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) supporters at Mbowe Filling Station. Despite clear video evidence identifying perpetrators, no arrests have been made. This inaction is unacceptable and threatens our nation’s peace and democratic process,” he said.

Kondowe emphasized that as the 2025 elections approach, escalating violence risks destabilizing our country, fostering fear, and suppressing free expression and participation.

He recommended that party leaders orchestrating anarchy must be held accountable for their actions, as they threaten our nation’s stability and democratic values.

“The implications are profound: such violence creates fear, discourages civic participation, and undermines public confidence in law enforcement and the government’s ability to protect citizens and uphold the rule of law. Failure to act decisively against political violence signals dangerous impunity and a disregard for justice and democracy,” he said.

Kondowe called upon the Malawi Police Service to swiftly and thoroughly investigate the attacks on AFORD supporters in Mponela and the February 24th incident involving DPP supporters.

He also asked the government to enhance security measures, especially in violence-prone areas, protect citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and expression, publicly condemn all political violence, and commit to safeguarding democracy.

“All political parties and leaders must denounce violence, promote peace, tolerance, and respect for democratic principles, and engage in dialogue to prevent future incidents and ensure a peaceful electoral process. NAP remains committed to promoting democratic values and protecting the rights of all Malawians. We urge the government, law enforcement, and political parties to unite in condemning political violence and fostering an environment of tolerance and respect for diverse opinions,” concluded Kondowe.

President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has reiterated his administration’s commitment to fulfill its promise to end hunger and improve agricultural productivity through mechanization.

Chakwera described the launch of the Malawi Agricultural Mechanisation Initiative on Thursday as the beginning of the journey towards the fulfilment of the promise.

“Going forward, farmers will access modern farming equipment to help them increase profitability,” he said.

The Malawi leader therefore thanked the partnerships realised with the private sector – Pyxus Agriculture Malawi and Philip Morris International, who are giving local mechanised farming services to entrepreneurs.

Meanwhile, the newly-commissioned tractor loan facility has today benefited the first 23 farmers of the many yet to come.

JTI Leaf Malawi, one of Malawi’s leading tobacco buyers, has announced that it will distribute 600 bags of top and basal dressing fertilizers and three motorcycles in the ‘Mlimi Wozitsata Ayiphule’ promotion.

JTI Leaf Malawi Director of Corporate Affairs and Communications, Limbani Kakhome, made the announcement at Santhe Trading Centre in Kasungu where the company relaunched the promotion.

Kakhome said the promotion will run from the day tobacco market opened until its closure.

“This promotion falls under the company’s flagship grower incentive program called Mlimi Wozitsata where growers are awarded with different prizes whenever they deliver quality leaf and in quantities agreed in their contracts.

“As a company we do this to incentivize our growers to deliver their contracted volumes of tobacco, on time and within the accepted quality especially in times like these where, as a country we are experiencing dwindling levels of production and heightened levels of intermediate buyer activity or illegal vending of the leaf,” he said.

According to the Kakhome, all JTI growers are eligible and stand a chance to win various prizes including one of three motorcycles, fully registered, 300 bags of NPK fertilizer, 300 bags of Urea fertilizer and numerous consolation prizes and the winners will have their prizes delivered at their respective homes.

“This is one of the programs initiated to incentivize tobacco growers apart from paying them handsomely for quality tobacco that they bring on the floors. We strongly believe in building relationships and contract to grow tobacco is not just about a business transaction, but it’s a long term relationship.

“And part of that is to say, how can we bring in the extra gear the extra to recognize the extra effort tobacco growers do people tend to produce quality? So the me i pulley promotion under the other thing is, is a loyalty program to say a reward program that recognizes the grower in a special way,” he said.

But Kakhome warned tobacco growers against selling their leaf to vendors, stressing that the practice contravenes the country’s laws.

He advised growers to always sell their leaf through the appointed sales floors.

“And we do encourage them to bring the tobacco to the market is for the love of the nation to make sure that tobacco is traded on the appointed markets, because in that way, then the taxes can be put in place the country can in its foreign exchange, but at the same time, the growers are rewarded in a way that they shouldn’t be other than selling to a vendor or to a trader who is not appointed and they will be bought at very low prices compared to selling official markets,” he emphasized.

Michael Mbizi, one of the JTI growers under Chigodi Zone in Santhe, described the promotion as a motivation to the growers, further assuring the company that he will not sell his leaf to the vendors.

Controversial Mzimba East member of Parliament, Yeremiah Chihana, faces disciplinary hearing from his sponsoring party, Alliance for Democracy (AFORD), for making a statement regarding an alliance and support from AFORD to Professor Peter Mutharika in the 2025 elections.

When Mutharika held a rally at Njamba Freedom Park on Sunday, Chihana claimed that AFORD, as a party, they had agreed to support APM in the next General Elections.

But this has angered the party, which says whatever the MP said did not represent the position of the party.

Through its Acting Secretary General, AFORD has summoned the controversial lawmaker to appear before a disciplinary hearing to be held on Thursday 16^th May, 2024 in Lilongwe at the Aford Party Headquarters at 10:00 am.

“The hearing will be held in accordance with Chapter X, SECTION 12 (1) and (2) of the Party’s Constitution. The determination of the summon is based on the interview you gave to Times Television at the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) rally in Blantyre on 12^th May, 2024, where you purported the following: That as a Member of Parliament elected on Aford ticket and an ex-official member of the Party’s National Executive Committee, you were delegated by the party and its leadership to attend and represent it at the said rally;

“That you were duly authorized to make a statement regarding an Alliance and support from Aford Party to Professor Peter Mutharika in the 2025 elections which is not correct nor the position of the party. This is gross indiscipline and contrary to the party’s position, hence the summon,” reads the summon.

Chihana is yet to comment on the matter.

President Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has commended the continued and warm relations existing between Malawi and India, stressing that this is key in the social and economic development of the two countries.

Chakwera made the sentiments on Monday when he hosted a delegation of 37 Indian business leaders at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe. 

They delegation, which was led by Mr. Sunil Hukumatray Rajdev, Trade Commissioner, the Indian High Commissioner to Malawi, Shri Gopalakhrishnan, and the Malawian High Commissioner to India, Mr. Leonard Mengezi, is in Malawi to explore collaboration opportunities with the Malawian government for potential business investments.

In his remarks, President Chakwera emphasized the need for continued collaboration in areas such as economic development, technology transfer, and capacity building.

He expressed his delight in welcoming the delegation, signaling a commitment to continued collaboration between the two nations.

He also emphasized the importance of diversifying trade beyond traditional exports like soybeans and pigeon peas, encouraging the delegation to explore technological advancements as well.

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Sosten Gwengwe, highlighted the diverse composition of the delegation, comprising investors from various fields such as agriculture, mining, health, and others.

The group has already engaged with local institutions like ADMARC and Mega Farms Unit to explore potential collaborations.

Mr. Sunil Hukumatray Rajdev, the leader of the Indian delegation, expressed gratitude for the President’s audience and reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting Malawi’s development through continued collaboration and investment.

The delegation has signed 16 agreements on various forms of trade, paving the way for strengthened economic ties between the two nations.

During the meeting, the Indian delegation presented a state-of-the-art Swayam Diagnostic Medical Machine to His Excellency Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, as a symbol of India’s commitment to supporting Malawi’s healthcare sector.

National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Public Trust has emphasized the need for elected leaders to be responsive and always listen to views and needs of the people and be able to present them to the government.

NICE District Programs Officer Daniel Malango made the sentiments during an interface meeting the trust organized under the Boma Lathu Program, which is being funded by the European Union.

The interface meeting was organized for the member of Parliament (MP) for Dedza North West, Auzius John Chidovu, and his constituents at Katewe Primary school.

Malango observed that a majority of duty bearers do not represent their constituents accordingly, citing failure by elected officers to consult their constituents before going to parliament.

“MPs need to listen to the voices of their constituents because they were elected to present their development needs to government for possible interventions, “noted Malango.

“Government resources need to be utilized according to the community needs that are compiled by village development committees and area development committees,” noted Malango.

However, Chidovu explained that his constituency has benefitted quite a lot from several development funds namely Constituency Development Fund, District Development fund and GESED.

“I always touch base with my constituents through the ADC and VDCs and the developments that are taking place in this constituency were proposed by the people themselves,” explained Chidovu adding “I want the ADC and VDCs to be vibrant and come up with development plans that respond to the needs of this constituency”.

But Chidovu who once served as a ward counselor for Katewe condemned some constituents who want to be benefiting from social cash transfers and also bursary schemes and yet they are capable of supporting themselves.

Chidovu explained that the number of the applicants for the bursary scheme was beyond the allocated funds in the CDF and this was affecting the implementation of other projects.

“Let us learn to be self-reliant if we are to develop as a country because some applicants for social cash transfers as well as bursary scheme are people who can support themselves, “noted Chidovu.

However Group Village man Kansepa pleaded with the MP to consider a school block at Kantambo Primary school where the old block that was built by the communities fell down due to heavy rains.

“Let part of  the K200 million CDF that you have mentioned be used in constructing a school block in our area and also consider constructing a good health facility in this constituency,” pleaded the Village headman.

Senior Group Maliwa who represented Traditional Authority Chilikumwendo advised the constituents to peacefully coexist despite political differences adding that there were several political camps that were emerging in the constituency that were confusing people.

President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has taken advantage of his attendance of the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, to woo investors to support Malawi 2063 First 10-Year Implementation Plan (MIP–1).

MIP-1 is the operationalisation strategy of the Malawi 2063 (MW2063) national vision for the period 2021 to 2030. This is the first MIP in a series of four 10-year plans that will be developed to drive the implementation and realization of the MW2063.

Writing on his Facebook page before departure for Lilongwe on Friday, President Chakwera said he wants investors to help in addressing soil health deterioration in Malawi.

“The US$163 million-worth plan of action aims at upscaling our capacity to achieve food security and revolutionise the agriculture sector towards exponential productivity and commercialisation for exports. Ministry of Agriculture officials will escalate further engagement with these stakeholders so that they fully buy into our aspirations,” he said.

Meanwhile, President Chakwera is expected to arrive in Malawi this afternoon after attending the U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Dallas, Texas, and the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit in Kenya.

Presidential aspirant and leader of the Liberation for Economic Freedom (LEF), Prophet David Mbewe, has added his voice to public condemnation of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Masauko Chamkakala for dropping corruption charges against high profile personalities.

Since he assumed the office of the country’s topmost prosecutor, Chamkakala has discontinued six high profile corruption cases, with the latest one being that of the Vice President (The State v Saulos Chilima).

Reacting to the development in a telephone interview on Thursday afternoon, Prophet Mbewe described the discontinuation of these cases as an abuse of the prosecutorial discretion by Chamkakala.

“This shows that as a country, we are not ready and we don’t know how to fight corruption. It simply shows that the fight against corruption lacks political will,” he said.

Mbewe feared that the discontinuation of the Chilima case will not help in restoring the integrity the Second Citizen used to enjoy before his arrest on corruption charges.

The Liberation for Economic Freedom leader foresaw curious Malawians groping about in search of answers on whether Chilima was indeed involved in corruption or not.

“Just like many other keen Malawians, I expected that the case would be prosecuted to the end so that we know the truth. Otherwise the decision by the DPP to discontinue the case has left us in suspense and this does not set a good precedent in the country’s fight against graft,” he said.

In view of the recent developments in the fight against corruption, Prophet Mbewe proposed that the government should establish a special court to hear corruption cases.

He also asked the government to give the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) full independence, stressing that this is key in dealing with political interference in the prosecution of corruption cases.

“If we feel we still don’t have the capacity, we can as well consider hiring international experts to help in prosecuting these corruption cases,” he said.

Malawi President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera says his government is committed to implementing continental fertilizer and soil health action initiative and others aimed at improving soil productivity.

Chakwera made the remarks at the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit currently underway in Nairobi, Kenya.

He said through the 10-year Malawi Action Plan on Fertilizer and Soil Health, Malawi will strive to domesticate the continental framework in its efforts to achieve increased food production and security.

“Through our Action Plan, Malawi will take her place in the world as a food basket for all the countries in the world that do not have the arable land, fresh water, and agricultural human capital we have,” he said, adding that his government has also taken special interest in addressing soil health issues and will soon be piloting a program to address the high acidity levels in the soils of certain parts of Malawi.

President Chakwera stated that the ultimate goal of his government is to improve soil health, improve the usage of organic and inorganic fertilizers, improve soil productivity, and reduce soil degradation and soil erosion.

In so doing, the Malawi leader continued, the country will reverse the negative trend in the deterioration of our soil health through a set of interventions that have been outlined in the Action Plan. 

“Through our Action Plan, costing approximately 163 million dollars, we will leverage existing programs by Government and other stakeholders with our development partners’ support to ensure swift and effective implementation. Through our Action Plan, we will implement the continental fertilizer and soil health action initiative and others aimed at improving soil productivity. Through our Action Plan, Malawi will take her place in the world as a food basket for all the countries in the world that do not have the arable land, fresh water, and agricultural human capital we have,” he said.