The Razzmatazz Podcast

24/03/2023

Top drawer content as usual! Available on Spotify tomorrow... 25 March 2023.

20/03/2023

https://open.spotify.com/show/4UU9HUDziFxCcaRxzLkOS9

Listen to Razzmatazz Podcast on Spotify.

17/03/2023

New episode alert! To be available on Spotify from Saturday 18 March 2023.

28/01/2022

Final list of cabinet ministers appointed by H.E Lazarus Chakwera.

17/12/2020

Covid19 update.

09/12/2020

MANEB READY TO RE-ADMINISTER MSCE EXAMINATIONS

Finally, secondary school students can breathe a sigh of relief following the announcement by the Malawi National Examinations Board (MANEB) that it will re-administer the 2020 Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) examinations from 5th to 29th January 2021.

On 4th November, MANEB cancelled the 2020 MSCE examinations due to the leakage of some of the exam papers; whose loophole still remains unknown or at least not disclosed. President Chakwera then directed the MANEB to re-administer the examinations not later than January 2021.

A letter that Mpaliro has seen signed by the Acting Director of the Board, says that all is set for the exams to be administered on the stated dates, and it’s assuring the public that all necessary security measures have been put in place to ensure a credible examination process.

04/12/2020

COSAFA U20 YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP

Malawi 1 - 0 Comoros

02/12/2020

01/12/2020

Are Foreign Advisors Beneficial?

Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair, established the Tony Blair Institute that offers governance and technical expertise to third-world countries. The Institute offers services to various countries in a bid to enhance their standing in the world.

To carry out their duties, members of the Tony Blair Institute embed themselves in various government departments for months or years offering expertise on a daily basis. Their services come at a fee, according to the Africa Report, Tony Blair's funding model is that one third of it's expenses is funded by third-world countries seeking their services.

In 2012, the Joyce Banda led government sought the services of the Tony Blair Institute; they worked with her government from 1 July, 2012 to January, 2014. The Institute brought with them eight people that were to enhance service delivery. Among the eight, two were at State House, six at Capital Hill. Each person's salary was 6000 pounds which is about K6, 102, 000 at current rate; this was all paid by the Malawi government then.

Surprisingly, there was little to show for the whooping K586 million per year spent on them for two years. One would argue that this was an unnecessary expense on the part of government, for the members of the Institute left the country unceremoniously when the Cashgate scandal emerged. They left for fear of being associated with the scandal. Little is known of what they actually brought to the table, let alone justify the money they were paid. They left the country in the state they found it in with no improvement whatsoever.

Just when Malawians thought they had put this sorry episode behind them; we hear members of the Tony Blair Institute are back in the country to help the Chakwera led government in communication and service delivery at State House.

Presidential Executive Assistant, Sean Kampondeni confirmed earlier on that the team is indeed in the country but was quick to quell fears that taxpayers will foot the bill. This assertion is not only untrue but also incorrect for the Institute does not work for free. One would wonder if this is worth it let alone beneficial to Malawians. We have been here before, they came, they were paid handsomely but in the end their impact cannot be seen to date.

30/11/2020

FARMERS ANGERED BY UNREALISTIC CANNABIS LICENSE FEES

Malawian farmers will have to pay $10 000 for them to be given a go ahead to grow cannabis. This communication was made public by the new Cannabis Regulatory Authority, following the legalization to produce the plant for medicinal and industrial use. However, the fee has not received the warm reception from farmers who have described it as prohibitive.

One of the farmers from Nkhotakota, Andrew Semu, who was looking forward to the legalization of the plant, said he is very disappointed with the Authority’s inconsideration. He believes this is a move by the regulatory body to have foreign farmers in control of the business. He went on to compare the license fee in to***co production to that of Cannabis.

“I am not happy with the license fee; it is very expensive. For to***co we pay MK 21,000 for every 200 kilograms but they want us to pay MK 250,000 per hectare in cannabis production; this is not fair,” said Semu. The license fees will see the farmers pay $10 000 if they are to grow and sell the plant for medicinal purposes; the ones that are going to earn the right to grow and sell industrial h**p will pay $2000.

Some farmers have questioned the Cannabis Regulatory body’s decision to introduce the fee before evaluating the markets. This is the first time Malawian farmers have the chance to grow cannabis and will pay a lot for a product they don’t even have a market for. They feel this is a rushed decision for this trial phase; they should have considered the average farmer from the village who is also interested in this plant.

Cannabis was tipped by many to be a replacement for to***co; considering the ever declining in value of the crop. To***co, which for many years has been preferred compared to other crops, is facing many campaigns against it. Many, people are cutting down on smoking, hence the fall in its pricing. On the other hand, demand for cannabis is growing.

Malawi joins Lesotho, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Zambia as the only countries to have legalized Cannabis in Africa.

25/11/2020

The World mourns the passing of a legend

The soccer fraternity is mourning the passing of the argentinian soccer legend, Diego Maradonna who has died at 60 years old due to a heart attack. Social media is now awash with sad reports and one individual who has expressed deep grief is Brazilian soccer legend, Pele. He says he is in deep sorrow for he has lost a very good friend and the world has lost a legend.

Rest in piece, Diego!!!

23/11/2020

It never rains but it pours for Prophet Shepherd Bushiri as fresh warrants of arrest have been served. This time around, r**e allegations. Bushiri’s spokesperson Ephraim Nyondo, has however squashed these allegations. He has described this as an attempt by the Hawks to damage Bushiri’s name in the media.

21/11/2020

Mutharika, Muhara Ordered to Pay

Former president peter Mutharika and former secretary to the Office of President and Cabinet Lloyd Muhara have been ordered to personally pay costs incurred in a case the two are accused of forcing Chief Justice Andrew Nyirenda go on retirement.

Justice Charles Mkandawire delivered the ruling on Friday, to set a lesson for those in the executive arm of government to observe the separation of powers. The costs shall be settled to the claimants who are Human Rights Defenders Coalition, Women Lawyers Association, Magistrates Association and Malawi Law Society.

The ruling which Mpaliro has seen, reads in part; “…the respondents [Mutharika and Muhara] had acted defiantly, were unreasonable, were not prudent, acted outside their Constitutional mandate and very wanting… As it was already submitted by the applicants’ counsel, the two respondents are well seasoned lawyers. One professor of constitutional law, the other a Judge of High Court. They should have been very conversant with fundamentals of the constitution and in particular issues of separation of powers and judicial independence. This is a proper case where professor Arthur Peter Mutharika and Justice Lloyd Muhara should be personally liable to pay costs. I so order.”

Mkandawire has since ordered the registrar of the High Court to assess the costs.

20/11/2020

COSAFA U-17 Youth Championship

Malawi 2 - 2 Botswana

20/11/2020

Is South Africa serious about extraditing Bushiri?

On Thursday, the Bushiris had a minor victory in court. Senior magistrate Viva Nyimba ordered the unconditional release of the couple saying that the arrest was illegal in the first place. The Bushiris had spent the previous night in police custody after handing themselves over to the police on Wednesday, this coming right after Interpol had issued a warrant of arrest for the couple.

Among the arguments for their release was that Malawi's laws require the minister of home affairs and local courts issue a warrant of arrest for people wanted on crimes committed outside Malawi's jurisdiction; then and only then can an arrest be made on a Malawian national not by a mere arrest warrant issued by Interpol let alone a temporary one as was the case in this matter. The magistrate here had no choice but to release the Bushiris unconditionally because the right procedure was flouted.

Mpaliro watched a live interview which was conducted by South African news outlet ENCA. The Justice Minister was quizzed about the events that unfolded in the Malawian court earlier in the day. From his responses it was clear that they did not follow the right procedures to have the Bushiris re-arrested in their home country, pending a formal extradition request. The minister did not show any commitment to expedite the request; leading one to wonder if the South African government is indeed serious about extraditing the Bushiris so that they have their day in court.

19/11/2020

The court has ordered the release of prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife. The court has also labelled the arrest 'illegal.'

19/11/2020

SLOW-PACED AFFORDABLE FARM INPUTS PROGRAM TO AFFECT HARVEST

Experts have warned that the rate at which government is handling registration of beneficiaries for the affordable farm inputs program is likely to contribute to low levels of harvest. The program has faced many challenges, with network problems being the common delaying factor in most operational centers. Farmers have been spotted in long queues that barely move; while others have resolved to spending nights on the sites in a bid to be served first the following day. With the rainy season that already looks set to be a tricky one, agricultural experts worry that the effects of slow handling of farm inputs program will play a vital role.

Speaking to Mpaliro, Agricultural-economics expert Rachel Makupe was quick to point out that most farmers are heavily counting on these cheap inputs. She continued to say that with the effects of Covid19 in mind, any flop resulting from ineffective handling of these inputs will be deadly for the harvest. Commenting on the farming season effects, Miss Makupe said, ‘the inputs are likely to delay the whole farming system which will include delays in planting period, application of fertilizer and more.’ She then advised that IT experts, government and the network providers should meet up quickly to discuss on how best they can beat this snail paced process. She concluded by warning that if there will be a handful harvest then the whole purpose of the Affordable Inputs Program will be compromised; which is to ensure food security.

Farmers are already busy in the field having sniffed the onset of rainy season. However, many of them will be relying on these farm inputs to make sure that they have all the necessary resources possible if they are to feed the nation again next year. Something has to be done quickly, failing which ‘kudya katatu pa tsiku’ will go down as just another propaganda for amassing votes.

18/11/2020

Prophet Shepherd Bushiri has handed himself over to the police. This, after the Interpol issued a warrant of arrest last night.

18/11/2020

Diplomatic fallout?

The ministry of foreign affairs on Monday, released a statement detailing the ordeal that the President of Malawi, Dr Lazarus Chakwera and his entourage went through at the hands of the security apparatus belonging to the government of South Africa.

The President had gone for a two-day state visit and was expected to jet back into the country on Friday, 13th of November, 2020. However, the Malawian Head of State had his return trip delayed up to 7 hours instead. The plane that was set to depart at 15:30 Hrs. finally departed at around 22:30 Hrs.

The cause of this delay was attributed to the South African Government's refusal to allow Malawi's advance delegation to travel back home together with President Chakwera, citing unspecified security reasons; this even after being informed of this arrangement well in advance. What is most frustrating is the assumption that the office of the President, and particularly the head of state himself, could be an accomplice to a criminal enterprise as some quarters would have it. The mere accusation itself, if not properly justified, is a dent to the character of Chakwera’s presidency but also his office at large.

Nevertheless, the diplomatic storm is refusing to settle. The government of South Africa has responded by saying that, Malawian foreign minister Eisenhower Mkaka, behaved in a strange way when he was told he would not be allowed to board the plane at Waterkloof Air Force Base. Mkaka is said to have been part of Chakwera's advance mission, a thing which meant that that he arrived earlier than the President. According to law, only 17 members of Chakwera's delegation who had disembarked at Waterkloof were allowed to fly from there again. When Chakwera wanted to leave on Friday, there were 65 members in his delegation in total, that is why the South Africans stood firm on the law.

What is evident from this whole debacle is that both sides need to ensure that they remain cordial going forward, because in either way one would look at it, the situation does not look good for both countries. If the situation will not be handled well, it has the potency of leading the two countries to a full-blown diplomatic fallout and hence the need for proper communication and cooperation.

17/11/2020

Covid-19 Info update

16/11/2020

Match Day Live
2022 CAF AFCON Qualifiers
Full Time : Malawi 0 - 0 Burkina Faso

16/11/2020

Covid19 update. era.

16/11/2020

5 Important Questions Surrounding Bushiri’s Possible Extradition

The South African government has vowed to never let go of Prophet Shepherd Bushiri who miraculously found himself in Malawi. Bushiri is facing a number of charges in the Rainbow nation; some of which include fraud and money laundering. He is currently on bail, and one of the bail grant conditions was that he should never set a foot anywhere beyond South African boarders up until the issue is sorted out. Following this, the South African government is reported to have started the extradition process that if successful, will see Malawi surrendering its citizen to the government of South Africa for trial and possible punishment. Mpaliro addressed five important questions that are vital extradition determinants in Bushiri’s case.

1. Shouldn’t Malawi have blocked Bushiri’s entry because he is facing charges in another country?

NO! Malawi is his country and he has no case with his home country. Therefore, he can come in and leave as he pleases. But the fact that he has escaped the country in which he committed his proposed crimes, a condition for extradition is triggered.

2. Are his charges extraditable offences?

Yes! Article 3(1) of SADC’s protocol on extradition, which both Malawi and South Africa signed, makes it clear that ‘extraditable offences are offences that are punishable under the laws of both state parties by imprisonment or other deprivation of liberty for a period of at least one year.’ In this case, issues of fraud and money laundering are punishable in both Malawi and South Africa. Apart from that, the offences he is accused of are falling under taxation, custom duties and exchange controls. This category is one of the most serious categories of offences and provides a strong extradition case.

3. Can Malawi refuse to surrender Bushiri to South Africa?

Absolutely Yes! Bushiri’s arrest has been widely speculated to be attached to xenophobic issues by the South Africans. If this is true, then Malawi can get hold of its citizen. In this case they have a SADC backing as stated in protocol of extradition article 4(b). This part of the article states that a requested state may refuse to surrender their citizen if the requesting state want to punish the person on grounds relating to race, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, political opinion, s*x or that ‘the person’s position maybe prejudiced for any of those reasons.’ Bushiri upon his arrival, claimed that he has been a subject of death threats from the South Africans; this as well provides a strong ground that Malawi can use to decline surrendering of its citizen as anchored by article 4(f) of the same extradition protocol. If these grounds are anything to go by, then Bushiri can be assured of safety back home.

4. What happens to his property?

Bushiri risks losing his property if proven to have acquired it through the same offences he is being accused of; as highlighted in article 15(1) of SADC’s extradition protocol. This is triggered when the extradition request has been granted. However, the request has not yet been made and his property has not been proven to have been acquired through the offences charged. Therefore, as it stands he still owns his property.

5. Does Bushiri risk facing additional charges if the extradition request will be granted?

Most definitely! He has already breached some of the conditions attached to his bail ruling on traveling, as well as dodging travelling protocols for the rainbow nation that might include using dubious routes.

15/11/2020

RAPTURED BACK HOME

One would think chariots of fire were only tales of old until waking up Saturday morning to the news that Prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary are back in the country. Your question is as good as everybody else’s; How did he do that having surrendered all his travel documents to South African authorities? The prophet and his wife are facing charges of fraud and money laundering among others and their travel to Malawi is a breach of their bail conditions. Not only is his escape mysterious but also a threat to the relations between these two countries.

Social media has been awash with assumptions that Chakwera helped Bushiri escape since he was in South Africa the same time Bushiri escaped. As State House refuses the accusations, the South African Minister of Justice and Correctional Services has vowed to make sure that justice prevails. Posting on his twitter, Ronald Lamola said, “Malawi is a signatory of the SADC protocol and other legal instruments on extraditions. We will not hesitate to invoke these provisions and instruments to assist law enforcement agencies to extradite fugitives of justice.”

President Chakwera’s return flight was delayed several hours to which the State House attributed clerical glitches, but in essence; the plane and everybody else were being searched to see if Bushiri was travelling with the President, and it was established that he wasn’t. Chakwera has sternly refused having assisted Bushiri to escape.

Bushiri said, him and his wife are temporarily in Malawi for safety purposes. He said, there have been clear and evident attempts to have him and his family killed and despite their several attempts to report to authorities, there hasn’t been state protection.

But the question remains, how did he get raptured back home? Does the President really know what happened?

14/11/2020

R**E, A MAN’S CURSE

The expression that every man is a daughter’s son is slowly but surely being forgotten if we are to consider the wave of r**e cases being reported lately in Malawi. A day can hardly pass without getting a nod of a fresh story of this infamous act. One thing that has remained constant in almost all the reports that have been heard, is that men are at the forefront of inflicting this kind of pain on women.

The question that keeps popping up is whether r**e cases are increasing now or whether the rate at which they are being reported is on the rise. However, the bottom-line remains the same, the psychological effect of r**e on its victims is so disheartening and hence the nation must not remain tight lipped, or else the perpetrators will continue to undermine the dignity and the moral rectitude that binds us as human beings. The casualties are left abandoned and some even opt to suffer in silence but it is the responsibility of every citizen to make sure that our country is a safe place to live in.

This is why it is important to commend the ones that are bringing such cases in the limelight for it has led to a public awakening and many are dismayed. However, more needs to be done to protect the girl child from these ravenous wolves masquerading as fathers, uncles, brothers, cousins, neighbors, classmates or bosses. The victims must also be encouraged to speak up because the longer it takes for them to make their cases known, the more they will be piling up and the time they will burst, the supposition will be that the cases have risen when in real sense, they were not being reported as they ought to have been.

In the same vein, it must also be put to the legislators to re-evaluate and re-assess the prescribing laws that guide the courts on the punishments given to individuals who commit this heinous act. Many are of the view that the numbers of r**e cases are rising because of soft punishments that are given to the offenders. Other countries have been very vocal in dealing with the perpetrators of this act and they are currently flattening the curve. For instance, the punishment for r**e is death sentence in China; public beheading in Saudi Arabia; Death by hanging in Egypt and Iran; while in North Korea they fire live bullets in the head. These are some of the countries that have not given the ra**st any breathing space and Malawi can do better. Lives of some victims will never be the same again as the result of a few selfish individuals. It is for this reason that we need to step up as individuals and as a nation in trying to put an end to this act or else we are setting a wrong precedent for the next generation to emulate.

08/09/2020

MP’s HOUSES NOT A PRIORITY

Members of Parliament hold on to the fact that they earn their positions; not that they are employed by the government (the people). This is true to some extent if we are to go by how much toil they go through to attain their positions. However, it is this fact that has bred underdevelopment in so many constituencies.

The president in his national address cited his vision to build houses for MPs in their respective areas, in the quest to force them to spend more time there. It is sad to note though, that this idea which promises to suck a lot of tax payer’s money is not what Malawi needs at the moment. It will be vital to note that this project does not serve the security section any justice. They have waited long enough to have proper houses which have been promised to them over and over again.This has been one of the Tonse Alliance songs during the campaign and we made lots of hullabaloos in response. Currently, it seems our friends in the Police, Prison, MDF and
Immigration have to wait a little bit longer for their redemption.

The waiting list does not just stop in the security section; it goes on to the teachers, medical practitioners, agriculture and so on. You would not worry about MPs while shunning all those other sections, it is a total insult. There is already a lot on the table, let us be realistic and start working on what are needs and stop making promises to impress the public. The issues that were addressed in the manifestos are yet to be met; it is too early to start making fresh promises.

The houses that will be built will not force the MPs to stay in their constituencies, those are just buildings. They cannot stay there at gunpoint; the presence of MPs in their communities does not represent development. People in Karonga south and central constituencies can testify to this fact.
For the best part they have had their representatives in their areas but it did not change a thing.

Probably the best way could be extending the reforms being carried out by the vice president so that they can as well tackle the issues involving funding the constituences. The priority could be making sure that the developmental projects should be state owned; making MPs identifiers of the problems and
supervisors. It is pathetic to note that same projects have been funded so many times without proper progress on the ground. This is the system that has to change now; building the houses for them will be a waste of resources.

That being said, it is important to focus on the issues that can be tackled first in these five Tonse Alliance years. Up to now Malawi still looks like a naked nation with almost everything to be done and there are a lot of projects piling up in offices; ranging from infrastructure to human resource.We should be wise enough to realize our capacity and start prioritizing. A lot of funds are already being directed towards the MPs, they’ve had their fair share. Let us cast our nets wide.

is real, stay safe.