Sunday, March 16, 2025
الرئيسية بلوق الصفحة 117

MultiChoice introduces payments through mobile money

MAKUNJE: MultiChoice is constantly embarking on various initiatives to improve overall customer experience through innovations

In its quest to make great entertainment more accessible to subscribers, MultiChoice Malawi has announced the introduction of mobile money payments for subscriptions via Airtel using their existing USSD platform *470#. USSD is a cost-effective mobile self-service platform that will now enable customers to manage their DStv accounts with greater ease and convenience with the ability to make payments among other enhancements, allowing for a wider-range of self-services.

“MultiChoice is constantly embarking on various initiatives to improve overall customer experience through innovations that are aimed to display our commitment to putting our customers at the heart of everything we do”, said Zena Makunje, Corporate Affairs Manager at MultiChoice Malawi.

When customers dial *470#, they will be able to:

1.            Check Balance

2.            Pay your account

3.            Fix Error

4.            Change Package

5.            Personalize Smartcard or IUC Number

6.            Contact Us

“We understand that accessibility to internet and internet connectivity remain a challenge and mobile money payments present a convenient and cost effective solution. We look forward to continuing to invest in innovative ways to deliver a world of choice to our customers”, Makunje added.

*All standard rates and tariffs apply

FDH unveils new look Zomba Service Centre

Inside the refurbished FDH Zomba Service Centre

FDH Bank has unveiled a refurbished and new look Zomba Service Centre signifying the bank’s vision of providing excellent and quality service to its customers.

Speaking in Zomba during the unveiling of the centre, FDG Bank Managing Director Noel Mkulichi said they were influenced to initiate the expansion of Zomba Service Centre in order improve customer service so that their customers access products and services in a spacious, convenient and comfortable environment.

“FDH Bank Plc prioritizes the provision of excellent and quality service to its customers. We therefore try as much as possible to understand the needs and aspirations of our customers so that the services we provide resonate with customers’ guaranteed satisfaction. This is because we know that each and every interaction a customer has with the business can build up or tear down that customer’s satisfaction with the brand,” said Mkulichi.

He said apart from the usual banking services, the newly renovated Zomba Service Centre encompasses bill payments counters, FDH Money Bureau counters for money transfers and foreign exchange transactions on top of offering Eagle Suite services to its private banking customers.

Mkulichi-We are innovative

“Innovation is in the DNA of FDH Bank Plc. The Bank has therefore positioned itself to be the leading digital bank in the land. With this in mind, customers are assured that we will continue to bring innovative solutions and strive to serve them with convenient and affordable services,” said Mkulichi.

He also touted the bank’s wide array of digital financial solutions such as OneClick, FDH Mobile, FDH InstaLoan, and FDH Wallet saying they are tailor-made to provide customers with seamless and dynamic transaction access.

“You may wish to note that non-FDH customers can also send and receive money through our FDH Wallet product. Let me be emphatic here. FDH Bank plc is a homegrown entity that is passionate about the business. FDH Bank plc has the largest footprint in the country, largest agent banking network and offers a wide array of digital financial solutions.”

“I want to assure our customers that we will continue to expand and grow as a business and adapt to the needs of Malawians so that we offer the best service in line with our vision to be the leading provider of first-class financial solutions in Malawi and the Southern African Region. We remain and will continue to remain true to this vision,” said Mkulichi.

NBM plc to roll out new cash deposit taking ATMs

NBM plc Head of Operations Brian Boby

Listed National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc will roll out the cash deposit facility on selected Auto Teller Machines (ATMs) which allow customers to deposit cash directly into their account using the NBM debit card.

Making the announcement in Blantyre, NBM plc Head of Operations Brian Boby said customers can use the machine to instantly credit their accounts without visiting the branch.

“As the Bank of the Nation, we are constantly looking at innovative ways for our customers to have a different banking experience and we believe that our new service is convenient and will serve our customers better and faster while decongesting our banking halls,” said Boby.

In the first phase of the project; cash deposit taking ATMs have been installed at key sites across the country namely Henderson Street Service Centre, Victoria Avenue Service Centre, Mzuzu Service Centre, Capital City Service Centre.

Boby explained that in order to deposit money at these ATMs, the user should first insert or swipe their debit card at a deposit taking ATM and then select ‘cash deposit’. This will then prompt the deposit slot to open, to allow the user to insert the cash which the ATM will count, returning unfit notes in the process.

“The ATM will indicate on the screen the amount of the accepted notes. The customer may also add more cash and confirm the deposit and request for a receipt. The ATM will process the transaction and produce a receipt which the customer will collect together with the debit card,” said Boby.

World Multiple Sclerosis Day: Malawi wants capacity to detect Multiple Sclerosis disease

One of Malawi’s leading neurologists Professor Macpherson Mallewa

One of the country’s leading neurologists Professor Macpherson Mallewa says the lack of appropriate diagnostic tools makes it difficult to effectively detect Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a rare chronic central nervous system disability.

“Diagnosis is hugely dependent on a well-functioning MRI scanner and a good immunology laboratory which we do not have in Malawi,” said Mallewa, who is also Vice Chancellor of the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHES).

He noted that in recent years Malawi required to send patients to South Africa to confirm diagnosis.

Malawi will on May 30 join the rest of the world in commemorating Multiple Sclerosis Day under the theme; “Connections”. The theme aims to raise awareness on the need to integrate people with the condition and end isolation.

As part of the commemorations, one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies Roche announced in a statement that it has partnered local patient organisations in Malawi and across Africa to increase awareness and address stigma.

“Roche is working across Africa to build up MS care from the ground up, starting with identifying data gaps, launching clinical trials to understand how MS affects a typical African patient, and developing data registries to analyse these insights,” said the statement.

Roche’s work is complementing the efforts of the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF) which has lined up various events to build knowledge around the disease.

“By bringing about massive awareness to reach all people with MS, clinicians and therapists are creating an inclusive support structure and platform to address the burning issues of access to treatment, advocacy, epidemiology and financial support to all people living with this debilitating and incurable disease to never lose hope or feel alone –as we are stronger together,” reads the statement.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), MS deaths in Malawi reached 9 or 0.01 percent in 2020. MS affects one in every 3,000 people in the world, said MSIF.

Sattar says he is ready to stand before the court

Malawian-born businessman Zuneth Sattar, says he is ready to stand before the court of law and prove his innocence amid allegations of suspected corrupt dealings with Malawi government.

It follows a list of names of people believed to be under investigation in the United Kingdom by the National Crimes Agency in the ongoing Zuneth Sattar investigation.

Through Simon Farrell QC his lawyer, Sattar says its a surprise to me that the so called serious case in Malawi is only being talked on social media and people are talking it based on their interest and in the story not what is really on the ground.

He wondered why people are talking about his name mostly when he was only a supplier and choose not to mention those responsible in making payments, requesting what was supplied, and all the processes that were passed.

“Do you want to tell me that all those agencies are corrupt based on social media reports??? Then let’s go to court and see who is corrupt,” he wondered.

The businessman said he is not afraid of any court and he is more than ready to stand before the court to get the case to its end.

“I know who I am and what I do so social media news is nothing to me and the time is coming when the truth shall prevail,” his lawyer explained on his behalf.

Sattar’s remarks comes barely a day after Malawi’s Vice President Saulos Chilima said he will allow all the processes to run accordingly after he was mentioned to be part of alleged allegations of corruption together with some other government officials.

“I won’t comment anything in regards to my name on the case and allow me to allow the processes run properly,” Chilima said while responding to journalists in Mzimba.

According to reports, there has been a three-year-long investigation by Britain’s National Crimes Agency ( NCA) into Sattar’s suspected corrupt dealings with Malawi government which according to the businessman it’s just mere speculations.

The investigation focuses on the businessman’s dealings with both the Peter Muthalika administration and the current Lazarus Chakwera administration.

Sattar believes the move is just there to tarnish his image as he is a major supplier to the Malawi government.

It was only until the UK come up with this that the Anti-Corruption Bureau in Malawi started acting as the businessman was not under any formal investigation by the Bureau.

In addition to that, in December 2015, ACB cleared Sattar’s connected companies from involvement in the 2013 Cashgate scandal.

His lawyer Simon Farrell QC, also made it clear to the court in UK that Sattar is an innocent man of good character and why should his business be turned upside down.

“He’s an international businessman crippled by this,” Farrell said adding that his client had acted properly throughout and believed that NCA case was misconceived.

He further told the court in UK that arguments submitted by the NCA about why bail conditions should not be changed were absurd and there was no evidence to support their claims.

When asked about the condition of his client, Farrell QC said “He is calm, composed, focussing and confident waiting for a day that people will be ashamed.

“It’s funny to note that people are mentioning names of people who don’t even have a hand in awarding contracts, what about those who offer contracts where are their names??? He wondered.

He said investigations done on wrong people won’t yield any results.

“My client was only a supplier you understand, where are those he was dealing with or are they afraid to mention their names?? People will know the truth not today, but eventually that day is coming,” he added.

Malawi Lawyer Jivason Kadzipatike questions British NCA’s court document legality circulating on social media

By Lawyer George Jivason Kadzipatike

I have seen extracts of a document purported to have been filed by British National Crimes Agency (NCA) in a court in London.

Most of us in Malawi seem to be excited about the revelations made in the document.

I’m, however, doubtful if the document in question, without more, would be beneficial to us in Malawi.

Kondwani Munthali, Onjezani Kenani, Idriss operating as public prosecuting agencies for Malawi; the ones behind circulation of the questionable NCA court document

It is doubtful because from the extracts I have seen, it would appear that the document places reliance on “recordings” done undercover, without the knowledge of the person who was being recorded.

The one who was recording the purported Sattar is not mentioned, but the document mentions names of people in Malawi that the purported Sattar allegedly talked to or about.

This document is a mere piece of evidence that is in the custody of the State in the United Kingdom. To my knowledge, it has not been used in a substantive trial.

Sattar’s lawyers have not yet had a chance to cross-examine the one who was secretly recording him on the content of this document.

The court in the United Kingdom has not established the veracity or truthfulness of the content of the document.

Until substantive trial is concluded and judgment is delivered, the document is not conclusive evidence of what it contains.

As it stands, the document merely forms part of the ALLEGATIONS of grand corruption allegedly committed in Malawi by Mr. Sattar and others. Those allegations have not yet been proven before the Court in England.

 The question that is exercising my mind is whether such recordings, if tendered as evidence in Malawian courts, would be admissible.

In the first place, obtaining evidence by eavesdropping on a person is against the right to privacy enshrined under section 21 of the Malawi Constitution.

I do not think evidence obtained elsewhere in a manner that is unconstitutional in Malawi would be accepted by our courts.

I know that the right to privacy in Malawi is limitable but if my memory serves me right, Dr Cassim Chilumpha’s treason case where he was accused of plotting to assassinate Bingu hit a dead end, among other reasons, because of issues of reliability of recordings done in breach of his constitutional right to privacy.

Secondly, if the recordings were to be tendered in the courts in Malawi, the person or persons who did the recordings in the United Kingdom would have to come personally to Malawi to tender such evidence, otherwise such evidence would be thrown out by the courts for being documentary hearsay.

Now when we are circulating these documents from the United Kingdom, we should be more aware that once the Malawians mentioned therein get to sue us for defamation, we would have a shaky defence to that claim on two main grounds:

1) because there is no proof approved by the court of the guilt of those accused.

2) because the document circulating is hearsay in Malawi and not admissible before our courts unless we invite the people from the United Kingdom who did the recordings to tender their recordings in our courts, and that would be a little too expensive to do.

Exposed! British NCA bankrolls PIJ to victimize successful business persons, politicians, judges in Malawi

The truth be told! The establishment of Platform for Investigative Journalism (PIJ) as an independent hub for public interest still remain questionable.

With about a year into full operation, the platform gets direct funding from British National Crime Agency (NCA) via British High Commission Office in Malawi.

But the leadership grouping of Gregory Gondwe (former Times group reporter), Golden Matonga (former Nation Newspaper reporter), Rabecca Chinjeka (Times Group reporter), Suzgo Chitete (Nation Publication Limited), Kondwani Bell Munthali (Former Nation Newspaper reporter, now in United Kingdom-UK) and other invisible pens will not tell you where they get funding of its operations.

PIJ membership has nothing to do apart from working for the Britons.
Some of articles said to be investigative have been challenged in court.

The British NCA are spending huge sum of money to PIJ through British High Commission office in the name project funding.

The current British High Commission to Malawi David Beer is the one masterminded the whole project.

The British High Commission is fully paying for PIJ team leader Gregory Gondwe’s house rent, offices, monthly upkeep including legal expert for lawsuits.

No wonder, British High Commission office was furious when Gondwe was summoned at Police in Blantyre, interfering Malawi’s internal matter.

The same British High Commission Office pressurized courts and police to leave Chizuma from questioning on the leaked audio case which is in court.

The platform is getting momentum currently on staged propaganda against successful businessman Zuneth Sattar.

PIJ through British funding made agreement with embattled Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Director General Martha Chizuma to share notes or any document suspected to have worked with Sattar for their prey.

Consequently, any information related to corruption happening in Malawi, PIJ obtains from Chizuma with the blessings of British NCA.

Chizuma has been working tirelessly with PIJ and social media friends including Onjezani Kenani, Idriss Nasah, Chisa Mbele , Gogo gowoka and Benson Jackson Ojesi (Malawi Congress Party zealots) to solely attack Sattar to the end.

Unfortunately, British NCA is using these individuals unknowingly apart from Chizuma and PIJ who are fully funded for one course, thats Sattar.

If you have notice on PIJ operatives are fully on Sattar nothing more serious is being reported by any other person on its platform.

What is shared on Sattar regarding to Wednesday, court case, it’s sorely verbatim from Kondwani Munthali not necessarily on what the court observed.

The said court document circulating by Munthali was submitted by Martha Chizuma when in April 2022 sneaked outside the country to meet his sponsors in UK.

NCA should not lie to the nation that it did investigation.

Chizuma is the one complied all of it submitted to NCA and PIJ is also lying that it investigated the matter or obtained the document with court privileges.

NCA is aiming at robbing businessman Zeneth Sattar’s worthy obtained years of hard work.

We have information that NCA told Sattar to surrender his assets to them if he wants freedom which is day light robbery from Britons.

Surprisingly, NCA is sweeting on Sattar without any complaint from Malawi government with the use of PIJ and Chizuma for British interests.

Developed nations including UK, USA, France, Germany have never had good will to poor countries like Malawi.

They will use their dollars and pound to entice poor heads coupled with poverty in the name of helping the developing nations while having hidden agenda the case with PIJ, fully funded by Britons.

Currently, PIJ membership is very excited with funding gets from British Aid to victimize their own brothers and sisters in the name investigative journalism.

Be watchful Malawians!!!

Unmissable Malawian Movies on AfroCinema Pop-Up channel

ALL SET

M-Net proudly introduced the M-Net Movies AfroCinema Pop-Up, an exciting channel that is celebrating and displaying the best festival movies from across the continent. The channel began on Friday 20 May to Sunday 29 May, and will be available on DStv Channel 198.

The AfroCinema Pop-Up channel line-up will feature award-winning movies that have been sourced from Africa’s top film festivals and give discerning cinema lovers a curated movie experience of films that range from the critically acclaimed to hidden gems, in what’s sure to be a delightful cinematic feast.

An exciting introduction are two Malawian films. ‘Highbrow’ will premiere on DStv’s AfroCinema pop-up for the first time on 27 May at 22:00 and ‘Fatsani: A Tale of Survival’ will also play on DStv’s AfroCinema pop-up channel on 26 May at 20:00.

As Africa’s most-loved storyteller, we’re proud to celebrate stories and creatives from across our continent. M-Net Movies AfroCinema Pop-Up will be available to DStv Premium, Compact Plus, Compact, Family and Access subscribers. Tune in for 10 days of African creativity, heart and brilliance.

The top movies on the channel that film lovers can look forward to are:

•             Fatsani: A Tale of Survival (Malawi)

FATSANI

Malawi’s official entry to the 2022 Oscars, this drama is about a young girl forced to sell bananas in the street for survival after her school is shut down.

•             Highbrow (Malawi)

Highbrow is a Malawian film inspired by true events written and directed by Chaz, shot by produced by Ben Sam and Jiran.

•             Salute (Namibia)

The 2018 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards nominee tells the story of a man sentenced to three life sentences, leaving his pregnant girlfriend behind in the outside world.

•             Katutura (Namibia)

This gem follows a group of people living in a township as they navigate a life of crime, drugs, struggle and – despite it all – love and hope.

•             In the Name of Love (Uganda)

When an unemployed University graduate gives in to the pressure to marry his lover, he finds himself in limbo to provide for his woman. Can the couple survive the pressure?

•             Stain (Uganda)

After her husband is injured during a domestic incident, a woman is forced to take over as family breadwinner in this award-winning movie.

•             Sixteen Rounds (Uganda)

This short film is about an army man and his wife’s messy, complicated relationship that is plagued by infidelity.

•             I Am Not a Witch (Zambia)

This BAFTA Award-winning film is about a little girl who is accused of being a witch and sentenced to a camp of elderly witches.

•             Payback (Zambia)

A man pursues the ultimate act of revenge when he finds out his cousin’s friend is about to marry the woman who jilted him.

•             Maria Kristu: The Buumba Story (Zambia)

In her quest to create a better world for herself and other women, a young woman goes against the norms and doctrines of the church. 

•             Nairobi Half Life (Kenya)

The award-winning flick about an aspiring actor trying to follow his dreams of becoming successful in a big city was Kenya’s official submission to the 2013 Oscars.

•             Subira (Kenya)

This drama tells the story of a young girl in Lamu who struggles to live out her dream of swimming in the ocean, something which is against local customs.

•             Air Conditioner (Angola)

A security guard and a domestic worker are tasked with retrieving their boss’s air conditioner after the devices mysteriously start falling and killing people across Luanda in this critically-acclaimed film.

•             Knuckle City (South Africa)

This critically lauded and award-winning film tells a story of resilience, violence and survival, set against the gritty backdrop of the Eastern Cape boxing scene.

•             This Is Not a Burial, It’s a Resurrection (South Africa)

Anchored by an arresting performance from the late Mary Twala, the award-winning film is about grief, land, ownership and resettlement.

•             Sons of the Sea (South Africa)

A drama about escaping hopeless circumstances, this movie tells the story of two brothers who find a dead body and bags of abalone. Will the loot bring them closer to a brighter future, or spell their end?

•             Night of the Kings (Ivory Coast) 

The multi-award-winning film that was Ivory Coast’s official entry to the 2021 Oscars, this fantasy-drama follows a young man sent to a notorious Ivorian prison in the middle of the forest.

•             Elevator Baby (Nigeria)

A wealthy young man and an underprivileged woman are trapped in an elevator as she goes into labor.

•             Nimbe (Nigeria)

Nimbe is a story addressing the issues associated with drug abuse, some of the causes, how to identify and avoid such.

•             Skin (Nigeria)

In this documentary, Nollywood star Beverly Naya explores Nigeria’s relationship with and perception of beauty, colour and complexion.

UNDER CHIZUMA’S LEADERSHIP, IS THERE ANYTHING TANGIBLE ACB CAN SHOW?

Soon, Martha Chizuma’s contract as the boss at the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) will be expiring and debate will ensue if government must let her go or renew.

For someone who always rides on public pity to survive, it is certain that there will be calls all over, especially on social media, for Chizuma to continue heading ACB.

But, in all fairness, is Chizuma really fit to continue leading ACB? In the years she has been there, is there anything ACB can show to the public to give confidence that, indeed, the funding that is going to ACB is living to people’s expectations.

To begin with, we need to applaud the Chakwera administration for increasing funding to ACB and also making the institution independent from executive controls.

Amidst all the woes that have been there surrounding Chizuma, President Chakwera has consistently stood for Chizuma, defending her everytime with a goal to ensure that ACB operates independently and efficiently.

This background tells you that Chizuma’s ACB is not just financially sound to executive it’s work but it is also independent from the executive in its operation.

To mean, Chizuma’s ACB has everything it needs to be efficient in its operations of ending corruption in the country.

But against this, has Chizuma really lived to people’s expectation in how she has performed so far?

I don’t think so.

Since she came to ACB, the institution hasn’t concluded even a single case before the courts. There could be so many reasons for that, but, trust me, its a giant minus to her resume.

Further, Chizuma has reduced the demeanour of her office through her continued behaviour of seeking public pity as she shares discreet information with the public.

We saw in that leaked recording. We saw how some people on social media always shared privileged information from ACB. These, insiders tell you, are Chizuma’s strategies to be seen to be working by increasing her visibility and endorsement on social media. But is there anything on the ground? Zero.

Further, Chizuma will go down in history as an ACB boss who came to just settle scores with certain business people in the country. For instance, Chizuma has put all her energy in pursuing businessperson Zuneth Sattar to the point of breaking oath of her office. That doesn’t sound professional.

In all honesty, there is very little that Chizuma can show on the ground as her achievements. She may have the zeal to fight corruption, but I think she lacks the sophistry that one needs at a complicated institution such as ACB to crux the times and get things done.

Is jealousy, personal vendetta driving Malawi social media influencers hatred against businessman Sattar?

If you read what people such as Onjezani Kenani, Kondwani Munthali, Idris Ali Nassah and Joshua Mbele posts on social media about businessperson Zuneth Sattar, you would be easily forced to conclude that Sattar is a bad man, with bad intentions for Malawi.

They try so hard to dust off anything negative about Sattar and amplify it with carefully selected adjectives to make sure anyone reading them, condemns Sattar as evil.

The entire thing looks like a well coordinated agenda to recruit more Malawians in their scheme of demonising and destroying Sattar.

But what wrong, if one may ask, has Sattar done to Malawians deserving the relentless backlash from these social media carpers?

Sattar is a Malawian, born and raised here and grew under the tutelage of his father who has been in business since 1950s. As a second generation family, Sattar took over management of his family’s business and with his shrewdness, he grew them bigger.

In a nutshell, Sattar is an honest businessperson and, typical of his average, he jumps on every opportunity that promises great returns.

He does business with private sector and he does business with the public sector.

So why this hatred?

It’s in the nature of Malawians, especially those in diaspora, to always have a blue eye against certain Malawians, especially of Asian descent, as enemies mostly when they are successful businesspersons.

Sattar, to me, is a victim of that spirit, coupled with other competitors funding stooges to dirten his name.

Because if there is anything sinister Sattar has done, then why don’t we leave it to crime busting agencies and courts that we have to handle it.

As a democracy, we can’t allow certain people assuming the role of ACB, FIU, Police and Courts on social media just because they hate certain people. This is anarchy not order.

That is why some of us feel that if there anything Sattar has done, let’s leave it to crime busting bodies to handle that. Otherwise, trying people on social media doesn’t tell us anything about those being tried but the hatred behind those posting everyday.