Newscult Malawi

01/07/2022

Vice president Saulos Chilima says that the pre election agreement stipulated that the presidential candidate of the 20 June 2020 fresh election shall not be the presidential candidate for the next election. According to the Veep, it was agreed that if it is either of them (Chakwera and Chilima), they would lead for only one term.

01/07/2022

The UTM remain committed to the fight against corruption. I will not appear to fuel media trial or impair the work of the Anti-Corruption Bureau

01/07/2022

We have demonstrated remarkable vigilance that culminated to the June 20 fresh elections in 2020

01/07/2022

There can only be one President at a particular time. We have a nation in dire straits to lead. It is urgent that we act towards progress of our nation.

24/06/2022

*Man fined K50,000 for carrying toy gun during demos*

Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrate court on Wednesday June 22, 2022 sentenced James Hassan, 39 , and ordered him to pay K50,000 fine or face 9 months IHL for found in possession of a dangerous weapon during an assembly contrary to Section 107(1) of Police Act.

The court heard through prosecutor sergeant John Makawa that, on June 16, 2022 Human Rights Ambassadors organised a peaceful demonstration within Mangochi township. The procession started from Mpondasi ground to the office of the District Commissioner of Mangochi.

Hassan joined the demonstrations at Mogasi Lodge carrying a wooden toy gun. Police officers immediately confiscated the toy gun and arrested Hassan, taking him to Police after the demonstrations were over.

Appearing in court, the accused person pleaded guilty to the charge.

In mitigation, the accused asked the court to be lenient, saying that he did not know that by doing so it's against the law but prosecutor Makawa reminded the court that ignorance is not a defence.

Passing judgement, Senior Resident Magistrate Rodrick Michongwe concurred with the state hence the K50,000 fine sentence or, in default, 9 months IHL to serve as a lesson to other would be offenders.

James Hassan hails from Mwanyama village, Traditional Authority Mponda in Mangochi.

23/06/2022

Vice President Saulos Chilima has faulted the Anti-Corruption Bureau on his alleged involvement in corruption activities as contained in the recent report which was presented to President Chakwera.

Chilima, in a statement on recent developments says the ACB is accusing him without providing any particulars or evidence in support of the crime he committed.

The statement signed by Director of Communications in the office of the Vice President, Pilirani Phiri, further states that the Vice President denies all allegations levelled against him.

23/06/2022

Despite having been stripped off his designated duties, Vice President Saulos Chilima is among cabinet members present at the cabinet meeting at State House in Lilongwe.

President Chakwera is chairing the meeting which among others is expected to discuss the prevailing souring economic situation of the country, according to state house information.

On Tuesday this week President Chakwera withheld all delegated duties of the vice president following an ACB report which implicates the Veep in the cartel of corruption kingpin, Zuneth Sattar.

UTM, through a statement signed by it's spokesperson, Frank Mwenifumbo expressed great shock with the development.

23/06/2022

*Ex-con sent back to Prison for defilement*

Barely few days after being released from prison where he completed serving a 7-year jail sentence for robbery, Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrate's Court on June 22, 2022 convicted and sentenced Abdul Imani, 38, to 21-years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling a 12-year old Standard 7 girl.

During court proceedings, Station Prosecution Officer lnspector Amos Mwase told the court that, the convict was on June 9, 2022 released from Mangochi Prison after serving a 7-year jail term for robbery.

The next day the victim who was sent by her mother to sell pumpkins met the convict on her way to the market.

The convict stopped the minor in the guise of a customer and convinced the victim to follow him to his house saying he would buy all the pumpkins.

Prosecutor Mwase added that on their way while passing Mpima Forest, the convict dragged the victim into the bush where he defiled her despite screaming and shouting for help.

The victim was later found helpless by passers-by who reported the matter to Mangochi Police Station. The victim was issued with a referral letter and the results from Mangochi District Hospital indicated that the victim was defiled.

Appearing in court the accused person pleaded guilty to the charge levelled against him.

In mitigation the convict asked for court leniency saying that he is an orphan.

In submission, Mwase reminded the court that, lman is a habitual criminal and his behaviour of resistance to change is pathetic and cannot be tolerated in the society.

Passing sentence Senior Resident Magistrate Rodrick Michongwe expressed his concern noting that the ex-convict failed the rehabilitation system hence sentenced him to 21-years imprisonment with hard labour.

Iman hails from Kalonga Village, Traditional Authority Mponda in Mangochi

21/06/2022

Malawi Police Service and Malawi Defence Force awarded 16 contracts worth over US$150 million (over K150 billion) to five companies owned by Zuneth Sattar between 2017 and 2021, says Chakwera - ACB Report

21/06/2022

CHAKWERA STINGS, SCRAPS OFF VP’S DELEGATED DUTIES – SATTAR’S LIST

President Lazarus Chakwera has announced that all delegated duties to the vice president have been withheld, after Chilima’s implication in the Zuneth Sattar corruption investigations.

Chakwera says his vice is among the 13 names that have been extensively investigated, including Inspector General of Police, State House Chief of Staff and Chairperson of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA), out of the 84 named individuals.

The Malawi leader has since suspended the Inspector General of Police, State House Chief of Staff and Chairperson of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA) with immediate effect.

Chakwera further says the Zuneth Sattar corruption is deeply entrenched and that it has affected a number of sectors.

20/06/2022

GOSHEN CITY’S BUSHIRI CHALLENGES GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVE ROAD NETWORK FOR INVESTORS

The man behind the magnificent Goshen City in Monkey Bay, Mangochi, Prophet Shepherd Bushiri has challenged the Malawi government to improve the road network in the country in order to attract foreign investors with huge business plans.

During his presentation about the vision of his Goshen City to Local government Minister Blessings Chinsinga and his deputy Halima Daudi on Monday, Bushiri has also disclosed that he has since received over 600 emails from people world over, expressing interest to purchase apartment at the multi-billion Kwacha Goshen City.

While adding that he plans to purchase a fleet of ten big buses which will be used to ferry people to and from the country’s major cities, Bushiri says a good road network is crucial for big investments. Local Government Minister, blessings Chinsinga praised the project describing it as historic and that it meets Malawi’s desired transformation and development agenda.

The first phase of the project is expected to cost at least 50 million dollars (over 50 billion kwacha) and construction work is under way. Among others, the project will consist of an international airport, a five star hotel, a 5000 capacity conference hall, a stadium, a high school, university and a hospital.

20/06/2022

SANDO JACKSON TROUNCES LIHLE THULANE IN A KNOCKOUT

Spectators at Kennetth Werth General Hall in South Africa couldn't lose a tick, all paying attention to the ring until in the Sixth Round when Sando Jackson, a Malawian boxer trounced South Africa's Lihle Thulane, in a knockout fashion to claim his dexterity over his opponent.

The boxers tested each other, jabs and blocks through the fifth round, keeping judges busy scoring points while the audience was growing wrestless, cat-calling. In the Sixth Round through some combination of uppercuts and right punches when Jackson won through knockout.

Speaking to Newscult Malawi after the fight while admitting that Thulane is a tough boxer, Jackson attributed the victory to his current aggressive fighting style like that of Mike Tyson, describing it as a non-match to Thulane's stoutness.

"My aim is to put Malawi on the map, and I am prepared to take on any boxer from around the world in the light weight category". Charged the Brawler who now has 10 wins from 17 bouts, of which 4 are losses throughout his professional pugilism career.

20/06/2022

DZALEKA HOSTING WORLD REFUGEE DAY COMMEMORATION ACTIVITIES

Protecting people forced to flee from war, violence or persecution is a collective global responsibility. Malawi is today joining the rest of the world in commemorating World Refugee Day with activities to mark the day taking place at Malawi’s largest refugee camp, Dzaleka in Dowa, located about 50 km from the Capital, Lilongwe.

Malawi’s Minister of Homeland Security, Jean Sendeza is gracing the occasion as Guest of Honour. This year’s commemorations are taking place under the them; “Every person has the right to seek safety,” with the tagline 'Whoever, Wherever, Whenever everyone has the right to seek safety'.

It is envisaged that whoever they are, people forced to flee should be treated with dignity, wherever they come from, people forced to flee should be welcomed, and whenever they are forced to flee, they have the right to be protected.

At Dzaleka, the day will be characterized by different performances such as song and dance, drama, judo and viewing of pavilions by the Minister of Homeland Security, UNHCR officials and other partners.

World Refugee Day falls every year on 20 June, as set by the United Nations to celebrate and honour refugees from around the world. The day was first established on 20 June, 2001, in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.

Reported by Bashir Amin

15/06/2022

Malawi's graft bustling body, the Anti-Corruption Bureau-ACB has arrested Prince Henderson, a spokesperson for Elizabeth Glazer Pediatric Aids Foundation, over forgery and giving false information to win contracts.

In a statement, the Bureau's Principal Public Relations Officer, Egrita Ndala enlists three counts which Henderson is answering namely; giving false information to a person employed in the public service, forgery and altering false documents.

"On 4th September, 2020, the Anti-Corruption Bureau received an allegation that in the 2019/2020 fiscal year, Mr Everton Chimulirenji, responsible for Disaster Management in the Office of the President and Cabinet, abused his office to influence Chief Commissioner of Prisons, Miss Grace Wandika Phiri to instruct the Malawi Prison Service Procurement Officer to award a contract worth K200 million for the supply of fertilizer to OPTICHEM without following procedures," reads the statement.

Ndala adds that their investigations established that Priwil General Dealers, a company belonging to Prince Henderson and W***y Herbert Chimulirenji uttered false documents from Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Development Commission of Malawi, Food and Agriculture Organisation and FDH Bank in their bid to win a contract to supply fertilizer worth K76 million to Malawi Prison Service.

The Bureau says their investigation further established that Henderson independently compiled the bid document with very minimal consultations with his partner, W***y Herbert Chimulirenji.

Henderson is expected to appear before court after the Bureau has interviewed him.

15/06/2022

Football Association of Malawi, FAM president Walter Nyamilandu Manda has warned Mighty Mukuru Wanderers officials and supporters against acts that may jeopardize their new sponsorship with Mukuru.

The FAM president sent the warning during the club's unveiling sponsorship launch at Mpira Stadium in Chiwembe, Blantyre. Manda noted with concern the squabbles that have characterised the club and financial mismanagement which he said may not go well with the new sponsors who will not like their image dented.

The FAM president further called on supporters and officials to help the club grow like other clubs (in apparent reference to Nyasa Big Bullets which he said is doing well since securing sponsors), rather than aiming to fill their pockets because the supporters, the executive and everyone want 'Nyerere' to start winning games.

Speaking at the same ceremony, Wanderers Commercialisation Chairperson, Clement Stambuli has since called on government to rescue the club by paying off its debt amounting to K59 million to the Confederation of African Football, CAF.

Wanderers FC and MUKURU have signed a one-year sponsorship agreement of 175 million Kwacha which runs until December this year. Minister of Youth and Sports Richard Chimwendo Banda graced the occasion.

Reported by Bashir Amin

15/06/2022

'I AM A MONSTER, MY IQ IS LOW", VIDEO IS DISTURBING

If you are not staggered and mad after watching this video of a Chinese National forcing poor and innocent Malawian kids to repeat racist words, where do your pride and patriotism as a Malawian lie?

This BBC report has exposed that some of these foreign nationals especially Asians only see Malawians as mere commodities that can be used to earn their living and objects of ridicule.

In this video, Malawian kids from Njewa in Lilongwe were filmed and told to call themselves Monsters with low IQ.

"I am a monster, my IQ is low, yellow skin and dark eyes are the most beautiful colour", go some of the racist words the kids were told to say.

Lu Ke, this Chinese guy who has been filming the kids, openly says: "Never treat them as your friends, never pity them, no matter the family situation, this is how you should treat black people, remember that".

I am so incensed!

15/06/2022

14/06/2022

MALAWIANS HIT BACK AT ARCH BISHOP THOMAS MSUSA

Some Malawians have rubbished Arch Bishop Thomas Msusa of Blantyre Archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church for his recent condemnation of Energy Minister, Ibrahim Matola who referred to some critics of the government as Achule (frogs).

Reacting to a story which circulated in social media in which the renowned bishop urged catholics to remove leaders who call others "Achule", in direct reference to Matola, some Malawians have termed the bishop a hypocrite, wondering why he did not condemn Vice President Saulos Chilima, a Catholic, who called his political opponents "Apumbwa".

In reference to Bishop Msusa's call for the catholic faithfuls to compete for various positions in the 2025 elections to help in the development of the country, some people branded the Catholic Church as a political entity which always meddles in politics.

The latest to comment on Msusa's remarks is a political scientist, Dr Sherif Kaisi who questions why Msusa is being selective, recalling that the vice president called Malawians Apumbwa but Msusa did not criticise him. Kaisi has described Msusa's condemnation as biased and ill-timed.

In a 16 minute audio, Kaisi is challenging Msusa to be truthful to his words regardless of faith, saying perhaps the bishop remained silent when Chilima called Malawians Apumbwa, just because he is catholic.

"Should we conclude that Bishop Msusa is doing this because Honourable Matola is a Muslim? Where was he when Chilima called people Apumbwa, where was he when one of the musicians referred to some people as Nthata zanjala? As religious people, let us learn to condemn evil without taking sides". Said Kaisi.

Kaisi however said he is not in support of any name calling by politicians or anyone, but urged whoever condemns not to take sides.

During the celebration of holy trinity and feast of confirmation at Saint Martins Parish in Blantyre, Arch Bishop Thomas Msusa called on the catholics to compete at local assembly, parliamentary and presidential elections so that they "help Malawians better", an assertion which attracted response from social media commentators who reminded the bishop that Vice President of the country is a catholic, so if things are not well, he is part of the problem.

Reported by Maulana Lehman

13/06/2022

MALAWI'S SANDO JACKSON TO FIGHT LIHLE THULANE

In what is expected to be a blockbuster movie, Malawi's renowned boxer Sando Jackson is set to invade the ring to take on Lihle Thulane in a non-title professional bout on 15 June 2022, at Kenneth Werth General Hall in South Africa.

Speaking to Newscult Online from South Africa where he is based, Jackson described the fight as a thriller and his turning point.

"Thulane is a very good boxer, so beating him will raise my bar. Though I know it is not going to be easy, come rain or sunshine, I will come out in the ring victorious". Said Jackson who, currently has fought 16 professional bouts, of which he won 9, lost 4 and registered 3 draws.

Sando Jackson launched his career in Liwonde in the early 2000 under Sun Village Boxing Promotion which was being managed by Mr Ladder Chimbalanga, until he moved to South Africa where he started his professional boxing. Jackson is the second Malawian boxer leaving in South Africa, joining Malawi's flag career Isaac Chilemba.

Reported by Maulana Lehman

03/06/2022

PFIZER VACCINE ADMINISTERING ON COURSE AMONG CHILDREN IN T/A LUNDU, BLANTYRE

There is higher turnout of primary school learners who are getting a shot of the Pfizer Vaccine after parents are now responding positively to giving consent for their children to get vaccinated. This was evident at Tafika LEA Primary School in Sub Group Village Headwoman Ntusa, T/A Lundu in Blantyre District.

According to the Deputy Head Teacher for the school, Alfred Muleko, they carried out an intensive awareness with the help of traditional leaders Ntusa, Lunguzi and others, urging the learners to go for Covid-19 vaccination and educating them about the pandemic.

“At school, we also put some measures as advised by health authorities and government to prevent the spread of the disease, thereby warning the learners about the dangers of not taking the vaccination. So far so good and we thank parents because they are no longer giving problems in providing consent to have their children vaccinated”. Said Muleko.

12 year old Lloyd Fikira, a learner at Tafika LEA Primary School noted that they have been receiving many vaccinations before and this one was not different. He said besides his parents urging and giving him consent, he was personally of the view that the Covid-19 vaccine was equally important. While urging his fellow kids to get vaccinated, Lloyd was quick to mention that he got a dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

On her part, standard 7 Flossy Alikanjero recollected what she learnt from the hospital and radio about Covid-19 which encouraged her to get a shot so that she can protect her friends. “There are a lot of kids who have received the vaccination at this school and I am urging the rest to do the same because I haven’t developed any side effects after getting the jab”. Said Alikanjero.

About 300 learners have been administered with the Pfizer vaccine at Tafika Primary School.

Previously, government bemoaned the low number of teenagers taking the Covid-19 vaccine in the country as parents and guardians were reluctant to give consent to their children. Vaccination of teens requires health care providers to seek consent from parents.

Malawi started administering the Pfizer Vaccine to children between the ages of 12 to 17 on 1st January 2022 to help contain the spread of coronavirus among children.

By Bashir Amin

02/06/2022

MTCHAPHATHA DANCE HELPS TO MOBILIZE PEOPLE TO GET COVID-19 JABS IN MWANZA

Over 870 people out of a total of 1,551 have been administered with Covid-19 vaccine in Chithumbwi and neighboring villages in the area of Inkosi Kanduku in Mwanza District, thanks to the use of traditional approaches such as Mtchaphatha dance.

An exciting dance performed by the youth, Mtchaphatha is used to persuade and mobilize communities to get vaccinated. Besides messages carried in the songs, the dancers have embarked on a door to door campaign encouraging people to get the jab.

“As young people in the communities, we noted that Covid-19 is robbing us so many lives and we had to do something about it by mobilizing people through this dance. We understand that sick people cannot participate in any programmes to better their lives or contribute to the development of the country”. Said Willie Mthengo, one of the dancers.

Mthengo continued to say that the dance is complementing efforts by health authorities to reach out to people with messages about Covid-19 and vaccination by among others dispelling some misconceptions and myths about the vaccine.

“The group has 14 members and all of us agreed to go to the hospital to get vaccinated which we did in order to prove to the communities that the vaccine is harmless, contrary to the fabricated misconceptions. All of us got both jabs and some are now going for the booster, but nothing strange has happened to anyone. We even produce our vaccination cards as evidence when we go out to dance or during our door to door programmes”. He said.

Mthengo said apart from the door to door campaign, they also propagate their messages by taking chance of meetings called by chiefs, where they mostly encourage elderly people to get vaccinated. He said the group will continue to perform the dance and conduct meetings with other pockets of communities that are yet to be administered with covid-19 vaccine. As a way of reaching out to as many people as possible, the group is establishing youth clubs in other communities to replicate the messages.

Mwanza District Hospital Health Promotions Officer, Dikirani Chadza admitted that it has been a struggle to attain these success stories which he attributed to the involvement of different stakeholders such as traditional leaders, health officials and other partners in health. Chadza observed that some pockets of areas have done better citing Chimlango.

By Bashir Amin

30/05/2022

UDF SOUTH REJECTS PATEL AS INTERIM LEADER

Just two days after UDF former president, Atupele Muluzi shocked the party's membership and Malawians with his resignation as its leader, the Southern Region members have petitioned the party's Secretary General against the appointment of Lilian Patel as an interim president.

"We are in disapproval of the appointment of Hon. Lilian Patel as Acting President of the party. A person who has resigned can not have powers to appoint his successor. Appointment of an acting successor is enshrined in our UDF Constitution". reads part of the statement.

30/05/2022

WE OUTLINED OUR POSITION ON "BUILDING ECONOMIES IN FRAGILE MARKETS" AT DAVOS, SAYS CHAKWERA

President Lazarus Chakwera says Malawi's presence at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland provided an opportunity to outline Malawi's position within the discussion centred on 'Building Economies in Fragile Markets.'

The Malawi leader said in Davos, he joined over 2,500 global leaders in politics, business, arts and media in discussing and navigating solutions to a range of problems that are affecting economies around the world. These include post-Covid 19 economic recovery, war in Eastern Europe and climate change among others.

Chakwera also stated that he used the Davos and Malabo events to hold several key bilateral meetings with a variety of global and African leaders in order to align on a number of issues pertaining to Malawi's socio-economic development.

From Davos, Chakwera also attended the 16th Extraordinary Summit Meeting of the African Union on Terrorism and Unconstitutional Changes of Government that focused on sustainable solutions to restore constitutionalism on the continent and fight terrorism on the continent.

By Bashir Amin

30/05/2022

MARTSE EARNS RESPECT BEYOND MALAWI BORDERS

Departed Malawi Hip Hop star, Martse, real name Martin Nkhata was not only popular domestically, as evidenced by a Facebook post by Zambia's renowned trio, Organised Family.

The group, whose songs enjoyed air play in many local radio stations and in Malawi's clubs, posted a photo of the trio dressed in Martse branded t-shirts, describing Martse as Malawi's Hip Hop champion.

"We choose to celebrate the life and legacy of the Malawian Hip Hop Guru.. rest in peace our Malawian Hip Hop Champion," writes the group on Facebook.

Martse succumbed to severe burns on Monday, May 23, at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, and was laid to rest on Wednesday, May 25, at Area 18 Cemetery in Lilongwe.

By Bashir Amin

30/05/2022

BWAILA HOSPITAL RECEIVES DONATION FROM GLOBAL HEALTH CORP - GHC

The Palliative Care Department at Bwaila District Hospital on Monday, 30th May 2022 received a donation of items worth K600 000.00 (Six hundred thousand kwacha) from Global Health Corp - GHC to help the department take care of patients.

According to AFIDEP Communication Associate and a fellow of GHC Christopher Kaudzu, they are excited that they have managed to help the hospital with the items which they really needed.

"After reviewing some of the issues affecting the health system, we approached the DHO of Bwaila Hospital, and after assessing their needs, we determined that the Palliative Care Department was in need of the items and support,” said Kaudzu.

Bertha Kaudza, Lilongwe District Nursing and Midwifery expressed gratitude to Global Health Corp for the donation while promising
to use the items and supplies for their intended purpose. She further called on well-wishers to emulate the gesture, citing the many challenges the facility is facing.

Some of the items donated include a wheelchair, 28 rolls of bandages, two sets of crutches, ten packs of cotton wool 500g, five exercise mats, ten Gauze rolls, twenty-five packs of Gauze Swabs and three lumber corsets.

By Bashir Amin

15/03/2022

Bread Prices Skyrocket as Wheat Prices Hit Record Highs

The effects of the Ukraine crisis are apparently hitting many African countries including Malawi owing to the large dependence on imports of wheat flour. Latest reports indicate that Russian wheat exports have plunged, supplying 23 million tons of the crop to the global market since the beginning of the 2021-2022 agricultural year (July 1, 2021 - March 10, 2022), 30% lower than the figure for the same date last season.

Overall grain exports are also down, with barley deliveries falling by 34.7% to 2.9 million tons, and corn shipments declining by 21.7% to 1.8 million tons.

Wheat prices have hit record highs lately on supply shortage concerns due to the crisis in Ukraine. Russia is the world's largest exporter of wheat while Ukraine account for about 30% of global wheat exports.

15/03/2022

Muluzi to represent Chakwera at Rupiah Banda funeral

Former President Dr Bakili Muluzi will represent President Dr Lazarus Chakwera at the State Funeral of Zambia's late President Rupiah Bwezani Banda. A statement from Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Muluzi is expected to depart Malawi for Lusaka, Zambia, on Wednesday 16th March 2022, and return home on 19th March 2022.

The State Funeral for the Late President will take place at the Lusaka Showground on Thursday 17th March 2022 and he will be laid to rest at the Presidential Burial Site in Lusaka on Friday 18th March 2022. Rupiah Banda died on Friday 11th March 2022.

The Malawi leader, Dr Lazarus Chakwera has since conveyed condolence message to President of the Republic of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema, the bereaved family, the people and the government of the Republic of Zambia, on the passing of Banda.

By Bashir Amin

15/12/2021

Promotion runs up to 15 January 2022

29/05/2021

POLICE IN CHIKWAWA IMPOUND 82 BALES OF COTTON SEED, ARREST 4 NON-LICENSED TRADERS

Police in Chikwawa have intensified efforts to enforce farm gate rules set by government through the Ministry of Agriculture. Chikwawa Police on Thursday ran an operation around Mikalango and Dolo Extension Planning Areas (EPA’s) in Ngabu which saw the arrest of four traders who were operating without appropriate licenses, impounding 82 bales of cotton seed in the process.

In a telephone interview, Officer In-Charge for Chikwawa Police, Assistant Commissioner Don Chionda confirmed and stressed that they did the operation to enforce farm gate regulations which were set by government to dissuade unscrupulous traders who usually take advantage of poor farmers.

Chionda said cotton is a famous cash crop in the area and any trader must comply with the appropriate regulations such as obtaining a valid license which in this case is only provided by Cotton Council of Malawi.

He added that apart from making sure that all traders are properly licensed, the Police are also interested to enforce farm gate prices so that traders offer nothing below government minimum prices to farmers and that they use scales only certified by the Malawi Bureau of Standards, to make sure that farmers benefit from their hard earned produce.

The four people are expected to appear before court to answer a charge of buying cotton seed without license.

Bashir Amin

26/05/2021

BEDBUGS WREAK HAVOC AT GUARDIAN SHELTER IN KARONGA

Jordan Simeon-Phiri writes:

Guardians at Karonga District Hospital waiting shelter have asked the hospital officials to disinfect the premises to kill bedbugs that are giving them sleepless nights.

One of the guardians Collida Mwambinga told Great North on Tuesday that sanitation and hygiene at the shelter is compromised. Mwambinga also bemoaned lack of electricity, poor toilets and compromised security due to lack of fencing.

The guardian shelter's chairperson Joseph Sinkhonde corroborated that there is great need for the five Members of Parliament and ten Ward Councillors to join hands and bail out the situation to make it habitable, saying it serves guardians of patients from Songwe to Zgeba in the district. He called on parliamentarians to use District Development Fund (DDF) to work on the challenges.

However, Karonga District Hospital Administrator Clement Gonthi said the responsibility to fence and install electricity at the shelter lies in the hands of the Council, explaining that the district health office comes in just to ensure there's sanitation at the facility by providing chlorine for cleaning.

Gonthi has since promised to get rid of the bedbugs saying they are currently in the process of procuring chemicals for the same. He further said that the closure of the small gate was done to restrict entry due to covid-19 and prevent cows from entering the hospital premises.

In a separate interview, Karonga District Council Chairperson Steven Simsokwe said plans to have the facility fenced and electrified are underway as they expect the chairperson for Service Committee on Health Councillor Isaac Kalambo to table the matter during their Full Council deliberations.

Great North Chief operations officer Henry Kumwenda has since asked duty bearers to expedite the process, saying sanitation, security and power are paramount at the guardian shelter.