Nthanda Times

Peter Ngwenyama

  • FND challenges Malawi Govt to explain K105bn loan borrowed on Khato’s behalf

    Forum for National Development (FND) has challenged the government to explain why it undertook to borrow K105 billion from local banks to finance Salima -Lilongwe Water Project under Khato Civils Limited.

    FND Executive Director Fryson Chodzi made the remarks during a press conference in Lilongwe on Wednesday to clarify their legal action against the government’s decision on the project.

    “There has been an attempt to vilify the action taken as being anti-development, ant-patriotism and against President Lazarus Chakwera and his government as well as attempts to make their legal action as a political issue but there is nothing political in the case,” he said.

    Chodzi said the organization has the duty just like everyone Malawian to protect the image of the country, integrity of the President and taxes that Malawians pay to ensure that it is put to good use.

    FND Officials captured during the press briefing

     He further said the President has been misled in several ways citing examples of K750m paid at Barkaat Foods Limited, a butchery in UK, Brigdin Foundation as well as the issues of fuel. 

    He expressed worry over the financing of the project adding that there have been red flags in the project and the latest being how the Loan Authorization Bill for the Lake Malawi Water Supply Project rushed through parliament.

    He further said the injunction has been obtained as a last resort due to the government’s secrecy and unwillingness to provide information on the project after several futile attempts to get information on new financing arrangements.

    Chodzi said they have so far engaged the Ministry of Finance, wrote the Anti-Corruption Bureau and Parliament. He lamented that instead of the contractor, Khato, to find the financier, the government has come in to find the finances for the project which is very unusual and raises eyebrows.

    The organization wants the government to also explain the K25 billion paid to Khato on the same project but with no results shown on the ground.

  • Minister Kunkuyu calls upon African nations to address cyber security threats

    Minister of Information and Digitalization Moses Kunkuyu has called upon African nations to take candid steps in addressing security threats in the cyberspace if the continent is to progress digitally.

    Kunkuyu made the remarks on Monday during the official opening of the 11th International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Cyber Drill for Africa underway in Lilongwe.

    He said Malawi, just as any other country in the region, has successfully been developing lots of documents guiding several matters in the digital space.

    “We believe that implementation is what matters most and as such this forum should concentrate much on how to devise practical steps to implement all the beautiful plans and roadmaps we have developed and that providing a safe and secure digital space becomes reality for our people,” he said.

    Kunkuyu urged the nations to move beyond the talk and write-ups and work together towards implementing the good plans.

    Kunkuyu added that Malawi is finalizing formulation of the Digital Economy Strategy, which principally intends to promote deployment and adoption of ICTs in all sectors including health, education, agriculture, trade and commerce.

    He further said that the promotion of massive adoption of ICTs in Malawi and Africa as a whole should be preceded by an assurance to ICT users of the safety and overall security of these technologies.

    Currently, Kunkuyu said, Malawi also intends to review the Electronic Transactions and Cyber Security Act and the Communications Act, but also to develop other digital laws that are in line with international best practices.

    Minister of Information and Digitalization Moses Kunkuyu

    Some of the legal instruments that Malawi Government intends to formulate include E-Transactions and E-Commerce Act; Cybersecurity Act; Data Protection Act; Cyber Crimes Act, and E-Evidence Act.

    Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) Board Chairperson Dr Stanley Khaila said despite the positive impact the digital revolution has had on people’s lives especially as a driver of digital economy, the reality is that the systems are prone to attacks.

    “Consumers of ICT services and network owners tend to fall victim to cyber-attacks such as hacking, phishing, ransomware, and scams,” he said.

    Khaila said the digital world has no boundaries and the perpetrators of these cybercrimes and the cyber-crimes themselves are not unique and localized to any geographical location. 

     This, he said, means that without collaboration, the advantage in cyber security can and will belong to the attackers.

    As a region, Africa needs to shift away from the national boundary mindset and take the modern approach of collaboration and coordination on issues pertaining to Cybersecurity, he said.

    The Digital Economy Initiative for Africa aims to ensure that every individual, business and government in Africa be digitally enabled by 2030 in support of the African Union Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa.

    “If Africa, as a continent, is to achieve the goal of digital transformation and build a resilient regional digital economy, we need to assure ICT users of a safe and secure cyber space,” he said. 

    Khaila therefore said regional cyber drill meetings provides a platform where policy makers, key stakeholders and cyber security experts can discuss issues that are pertinent to the growth of our region.

  • Kenya-based Malawians donate to Cyclone Freddy survivors

    The Association of Malawians living in Kenya (AMAKE), through Mtunthama Lions Club, has donated assorted items to Tropical Cyclone Freddy victims.

    The association’s chairperson, Chiku Kalilombe, told Nthanda Times on Sunday that the group noted the tragedy and loss that had befallen fellow countrymen following the cyclone.

    “Instead of each one of us doing it alone, we thought we can jointly do more by mobilizing assorted items like clothes and others from Malawians and non Malawians here in Kenya.

    “Apart from that, we also raised MK10 million and used it to buy blankets, wrappers, dignity packs and food, which we donated in Chilaweni in Blantyre and Nkando in Mulanje,” he said.

    AMAKE, according to Kalilombe, dates back to 15 years ago and aims at ensuring that Malawians in Kenya network.

    So, he said, the grouping organizes a lot of activities and also participates in international activities to enhance networking.

    Kalilombe further said AMAKE raises funds to help in situations requiring interventions like the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Freddy. 

    He also gave an example of the time of Covid-19, when the association helped Malawians, including patients and students, who were stranded in Kenya when that country was in a lockdown.

    AMAKE members during the donation

    “We have welfare plans to help when unfortunate incidents occur, assist new arrivals to settle in Kenya and facilitate sourcing of things from home and many more. We are now engaging various stakeholders to participate more effectively in developing our country,” he said.

    Representing the association during the handover of the items in Lilongwe on Sunday, AMAKE former Chairperson, Dr Eliya Msiyaphazi Zulu, said the group wants to help alleviate the suffering of people affected by Cyclone Freddy.

    “It is a good gesture by Malawians and non Malawians to come together to assist those who were affected by the cyclone,” he said.

    Receiving the donation, Mtunthama Lions Club District Governor for Malawi and Mozambique, Lion Stuart Munthali, commended AMAKE for the gesture. 

    “As a charity, we partnered with the association to serve those devastated by the disaster here at home” he said.

    Munthali said the club will contact the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DODMA) to give them a camp where the items can be distributed.

  • Comesa Competition Commission celebrates 10 years of excellence

    The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Competition Commission has celebrated 10 years of excellence with a call to continue its efforts to promote and regulate competition in Common Market.

    Malawi Minister of Trade and Industry, Simplex Chithyola Banda made a call when he presided over the commemorations on Thursday in Lilongwe.

    He said the regional Commission’s accomplishment in regulating competition, particularly mergers, restrictive business practices and consumer protection has without doubt been seen outstanding and deserves recognition.

    “Through regulating competition the commission is ensuring that the harmful effects of monopolies and cartels are averted,” he said.

    Chothyola Banda said the Commission’s work is central to ensuring that the trade liberalization agenda in the Comesa region promotes growth and leads to poverty reduction.

    He therefore commended the Commission for the role played in the past 10 years in promoting and encouraging competition within the common market by preventing restrictive business practices.

    COMESA Secretary General, Chileshe Kapwepwe

    COMESA Secretary General, Chileshe Kapwepwe said for the past 10 years COMESA through the Commission has addressed most challenges by increased and improved regulations.

    “The Commission has stepped up efforts by focusing on merger control, consumer protection as well as business practices among others ” she said.

    Earlier, Comesa competition commission Chief Executive Officer, Dr Willard Mwemba said for the past decade, they have reviewed almost 369 mergers and acquisitions with a turn over of $210 billion.

    Since 2013, the regional Commission has been promoting competitive markets and enhancing the welfare of consumers in the common market.

  • President Chakwera describes people of Norway as true friend towards health improvement in Malawi

    President Lazarus Macathy Chakwera has described the people of Norway as true friends of Malawians for their contributing towards the improvement of the health sector in Malawi.

    President Chakwera was speaking on Friday when he presided over the opening of the state-of-the-art Lilongwe Institute of Orthopedics and Neurosurgery (LION) constructed with support from Norway and Philanthropist Trond Mohn.

    He said it is not the first time for Norway through Norwegian embassy to contribute towards health developments such as the new theatre wing, works at College of Medicine campus and now the facility.

    “And the results of this approach is not just the completion of this facility which will be run, maintained by Malawians to serve Malawians for many years to come but there is also confidence that this project has given other donors to join,” he said.

    President Chakwera officially opening the Lilongwe Institute of Orthopedics and Neurosurgery

    The President therefore thanked the government of Norway for trusting his administration with resources for the completion of the facility.

    Norwegian Ambassador to Malawi, Ingrid Mikelsen said her government hold a special place in their hearts and the dedication for Malawi and its people.

    “We will continue to work with our Malawian partners to build a brighter and more future for all,” she said.

    Mikelsen said she trust that the Government of Malawi maintains the equipment and replaces it when needed in order to maintain the quality of the services provided at LION.

    However, facility has been built to the tune of K44 billion ($44 million) with the main donor being Philanthropist and Nowergian billionaire businessman, Trong Mohn, who has contributed $20million (K20 billion).

    The institute has modern diagnosis, treatment and care and it wil train specialist in Orthopedic and neurosurgeon sections.

  • Innobuild clears Area 38 dumpsite dubbed ‘Mtaya’

    Innobuild Company has embarked on removing waste dumped along Six Miles, Area 38 to Area 23 road, popularly known as ‘mtaya’ in Lilongwe.

    The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Billy Chiotha, said Thursday during a media tour to the dumpsite that poor waste disposal and management have been a major concern to citizens around the area.

    “As a Malawian firm, we just want to help our fellow citizens to clear the place using our own resources as it has now become a breeding ground for so many diseases, including cholera and malaria,” he said.

    Chiotha expressed concern that the area is not in a good state in as much as hygiene is concerned.

    He then appealed to Lilongwe City Council to consider putting in place by-laws so that anyone found dumping along this area should be penalized.

    “In addition, any company indulging in the business of collecting refuse from town and locations should be contributing to ensuring that the area is clean”.

    Deputy Mayor, Counsellor Esther Sagawa, commended Innobuild for embarking on promoting hygiene by clearing the waste at the dumpsite.

    “We are excited that the company is complementing the efforts of the council to make this area clean,” she said.

    However, Sagawa blamed security personnel employed at the dumpsite for entertaining the accumulation of waste, which made the road in the area impassable.

    A resident in Area 38, Tiyanjane Malisawo, said the bad smell emanating from the rotting waste is unbearable for the residents around the area.

    “The exercise of removing the waste by Innobuild Company is, therefore, a welcome development,” he said.

    Malisawo also asked other well-wishers to join in the clearing of the area before the next rainy season.

  • First Deputy Speaker Kazombo distributes assorted food items to flood survivors in Mangochi

    First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Madalitso Kazombo has distributed assorted relief food items to flood survivors in Traditional Authority (T/A) Makanjira in Mangochi.

    The items include maize flour, sugar, rice and soya pieces have been distributed to three camps of St. Joseph Primary School, Chilawi and Ligolo.

    Speaking during the distribution of the items on Saturday in Mangochi, Kazombo, encouraged the survivors to be strong as they wait for the recovery process.

    “Government will continue providing food and non-food support to each family as well as construction materials for your homes,” he said.

    The deputy speaker also urged survivors to trust in God believing that he will take care of their needs.

    T/A Makanjira expressed gratitude for the food support given to his people in the area.

    “This support has come at the right time as many of these survivors lost everything and are feeding on hand outs,” he said.

    The chief therefore called upon other well wishers to join in helping out the survivors with food.

  • Defiler handed 45 years imprisonment with hard labour sentence

    The High Court in Lilongwe has sentenced 34-year-old Limbikani Mpokosa to 45 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling a 4-year-old girl.

    The court heard that Mpokosa on November 27, 2020, had canal knowledge of the girl who was living next to his house.

    The girl’s parents were at work at the time the convict committed the offence.

    Lilongwe Police Spokesperson Hastings Chigalu said the father of the defiled child, while dressing her up, noticed that her private parts were swollen.

    He further said the girl, who also had difficulties in walking, disclosed to her father that she was wounded in her private parts by Mpokosa, their neighbour. 

    “When police sent the victim for medical examination, Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) discovered a broken hymen among others, signifying penetration there by confirming the defilement,” he said.

    Chigalu said when Mpokosa appeared before senior resident magistrate Florence Msekandiana, he pleaded not guilty to the charge which prompted Police to parade witnesses leading to conviction. 

    According to Chigalu, the senior resident magistrate recommended a sentence of 26 years imprisonment with hard labour and referred the matter to the High Court for sentencing. 

    Passing the sentence on Thursday, High Court Judge Annabel Mtalimanja, described defilement as a very serious and heinous offence that is both carnally and psychologically offensive.

    The Judge also said that at 4 years old, the victim was nowhere near sexual maturity, and she was not physically, emotionally and psychologically developed to process a sexual encounter. 

    “So, in defiling her, she said, the convict stole not only her innocence and childhood, but also desecrated her right to choose her sexual debut. 

    Mpokosa hails from Traditional Authority Njewa in Lilongwe District.

  • Government goes ahead with relocation of refugees despite deadline

    Minister of Homeland Security Ken Zikhale Ng’oma has said government will go ahead in implementing the relocation order of refugees and asylum seekers to go back to Dzaleka camp despite the deadline of April 15.

    Ng’oma was speaking in Lilongwe on Tuesday when his ministry met members of the Smallscale Business Operators Association from across the country who wanted an update on the relocation exercise.

    Ng’oma said the government will continue with the exercise to take all foreigners residing in communities back to the camp.

    “We want all those who have the status of a refugee to stay in the camp and not in communities,” he said.

    Ng’oma further said that those who want to do business should obtain a business permit or working employment at the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services at the cost of $7000 or else or they go back to the camp.

    Ken Zikhale Ng’oma

    He added that the government will soon start a headcount of all foreigners operating their businesses in rural and urban areas to see if they are eligible according to the laws of Malawi.

    He, therefore, assured the business operators to be patient as the government is swiftly implementing the exercise.

    Chairperson for the Association, Tennyson Mulimbula expressed hope following the assurance from government on the relocation exercise.

    “We are convinced with the assurance from the government on the exercise otherwise members wanted to take the law into their own hands,” he said.

    Mulimbula said allocation of funds to the exercise only shows the government’s commitment on the issue.

  • Greenbelt Authority to finalize multi-billion factory on June 30

    Greenbelt Authority has disclosed that construction of the multi-billion rice milling factory will be completed and open for operation on June 30, 2023.

    The Authority’s Chief Executive Officer, Eric Dudley Chidzungu, disclosed this to journalists on Friday in Karonga.

    He said preparations are now at 80 percent.

    “When operational, the plant will be producing a capacity of 50metric tonnes per day benefiting a lot of smallholder farmers in the district,” he said.

    The plant will also contribute to the country’s economic aspirations, he said.

    Chidzungu added that despite the dry spells facing the district, the Authority has a flagship Nthola Ilolla project, with 500 hectares for irrigation which if put into use can produce a lot of rice.

    Chidzungu: the rice milling factory will be completed and open for operation in June

    He further said fields that are on irrigation will harvest their rice than those on rain-fed.

    A rice farmer expecting to benefit from the factory, Margret Royora, said she expects to see her farm produce getting value addition and selling at better prices.

    “Right now we are making a profit, but after the opening of the factory the proceeds are going to be more as the product will be polished, packaged, and branded, thereby allowing us to sell at better prices,” she said.

    Almost 2,500 rice farmers will benefit from the factory.