Grand scheme of things. Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has thought of a ‘clever way’ of money laundering by staging a fundraising event.
The party will hold a fundraising dinner on 6th May 2022 but little do Malawians know that it is a money laundering scheme.
Press adverts for the event have started fighting in the local newspapers indicating that those who will buy a platinum ticket will have to part with a whopping K10 million for a six hour event.
Gold tickets are going at K5 million while silver tickets are at K2.5 million while bronze and green tickets will be at K200,000 and K100,000 respectively.
To fool the intelligence of Malawians, the party has put a disclaimer that tickets will not be for sale to government agencies.
“This is a great grand scheme of things. This is money laundering at its best. What is happening is that the people buying the platinum tickets have been given government contracts and businesses and in return they will be giving back to the party through the fundraising dinner, this is so pathetic, ” said one of the officials behind the concept.
“This was carefully thought by our strategists when they looked at how the other former ruling parties conducted these similar events. At first I thought this was the way to go until when they released the prices for the tickets,” said the member.
“The way things are now, who can part with K10 million for a six hour event without expecting anything in return? Only a fool I guess!”
“All those who have got contracts and businesses from government will be paying back MCP ‘cut’. Instead of paying the famous 10% cut at source, these people will pay the MCP through these dinner and dances,” added the member.
The story was corroborated by another senior member of the party who disclosed that people buying the tickets have already been identified and have already benefited from the party.
“You will see the people who will go there, they have already gotten their payments and this is paying the MCP for the support. Tell me if this is not money laundering, then what is it?” We are doomed as a country.”
“We hope we will know those who bought the K10 million tickets for the sake of transparency,” said the source.
The former ruling DPP is in court over similar events where state bodies were forced to buy tables for fundraising events.
High placed sources with law enforcing agency has confided in this publication that embattled Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Director General Martha Chizuma is expected to be arrested on leaked audio saga.
Chizuma who is currently abroad on private trip will be arrested upon arrival in the capital Lilongwe.
She left Malawi on Sunday, April 10, 2022 to meet and convince “her financiers about her allegiance on corruption fight in the country’
This following Office of Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) indorsing Chizuma’s arrest after studying a court order to decide the possibility of commencing criminal charges on a leaked audio that contravenes ACB office’ oath.
“ACB boss Chizuma will be arrested upon arrival from a private trip over the leaked audio that injured many including contravening ACB office oath.
“As we speak, DPP just indorsed the arrest after examining court order on criminal charges on her,” says the source within Malawi Police Service.
Ministry of Justice spokesperson Pirirani Masanjala on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 confirmed the DPP was served with an order that Mzuzu senior resident magistrate Godfrey Nyirenda granted last month ordering the Malawi Police Service and the DPP to investigate the leaked audio.
“I can confirm that we have been served with the court order and we are evaluating it,” he said.
Ruling on an application by Mzuzu resident Frighton Phombo, Nyirenda further ordered Police and DPP to ascertain if criminal charges can be brought against Chizuma.
Sources privy to the matter said the DPP was expected to write the Office of the Attorney General to seek direction because the office of the DPP does not have investigative powers.
“It’s a legal process and what is happening is that the DPP does not have investigative powers, so they have to engage either the police to do that. But the DPP is writing the Attorney General seeking direction on the matter,” added the source.
Phombo moved the court to open a case against Chizuma on allegations that she violated the Corrupt Practices Act (CPA) by revealing to a third party information on investigation for corruption.
He contended that Chizuma committed an offence of directly revealing official information to un-authorised person, contrary to regulation 4(a) of the CPA, and that of making use of speech capable of prejudicing a person against a party to judicial proceedings, contrary to Section 113 (1) (d) of the Penal Code.
But Nyirenda said even though a leeway is given for private citizens to institute criminal proceedings, the overall and ultimate authority over such proceedings remains with the DPP.
On January 24, 2022 President Lazarus Chakwera reprimanded Chizuma for the leaked conversation, indicating that he had summoned her for a meeting where she confirmed speaking about ongoing investigation in the leaked audio that had gone viral.
He described her action as unfortunate but said he would not dismiss her. Instead, he issued a stern warning that he will keep an eye on her conduct.
Chizuma is also facing defamation charges lodged by Ashok Kumar Sreedharan, who sued her for alleging in the audio that money changed hands to have him released after an arrest.
In the audio, Chizuma put in the spotlight churches, judges, lawyers and the Presidency as not helping matters corruption fight.
This comes a few days after political-activist Bon Kalindo gave five-days President Lazarus Chakwera to fire Chizuma over the same leaked audio that breached ACB’s Office oath.
The recent report by Afrobarometer concerning the worsening levels of corruption in Malawi can only be treated as a guess work at owners risk but exposé by Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has cemented it all – massive plunder of public resources is at play.
The foul play has been sniffed after Roads Authority (RA) is suspected to have conveniently paid a blind eye to the fact that the works that the Lilongwe Water Board (LWB) intends to award to China Civil Engineering form part of the six-lane expansion works, under Contract No. RA/DEV/2020-21, which was already signed, and works have commenced on the site, such as the relocation of water pipes, sewer, communication cables and electricity poles, whose Bill of Quantities was pegged at MWK507 million.
In a statement from CDEDI and signed by its Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa, the organisation is worried with continuous daylight plunder of public resources and has since reported the matter to graft bursting body – Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) for action.
“To begin with, the RA in July 2021 awarded a contract worth MWK19 billion for a six-lane Capacity Improvements of Kenyatta Road and Sharrar Street project to China Civil Engineering.
Just a few months later, the LWB obtained a ‘No Objection’ letter from the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) to award yet another contract, to the same company, to the tune of MWK5.2 billion, purportedly for the relocation of water pipes yet bid evaluation report shows that China Civil Engineering came fourth, with MK5.2 billion, and surprisingly, the company was picked by the LWB to do the job, without any justification for the choice of the company that came fourth among the bidders, or why they rejected the other three lower bidders,” says Namiwa.
The lower bidders were Victory Vision Construction with MWK3.4 billion; Projex Group Ltd with MWK3.6 billion and Malbro International Ltd with MWK4.8 billion.
“It has come to the attention of CDEDI that the LWB, the RA and China Civil Engineering are involved in what we strongly suspect is a plan to defraud unsuspecting taxpayers and voters public funds amounting to MWK5.2 billion,” Namiwa says in the statement.
Namiwa has since confirmed that in the interest of the country, his organisation has written the Minister of Transport and Public Works Jacob Hara to consider stopping the contract awarding process by the LWB, pending further scrutiny of this process.
CDEDI Chief who disclosed that his organisation is in possession of the contract documents awarded to China Civil Engineering by the RA, where the evidence of fraudulent transaction has been sourced from, believes that is a serious case of double dipping, where Malawians are being robbed of billions in broad-day light.
“This coincidence of giving another contract to the same contractor by the LWB, and seeking a “No Objection’ for the same, was so glaring; hence, the move by CDEDI to invoke the ATI law in order to expose the shameless attempt to plunder the public purse,” says Namiwa.
He says at all cost there is no justification for LWB to seek the services of a sub contractor and paying MWK5, 242, 933, 311.64 which is over ten times the recommended rate, when the same contractor, in the main contract, pegged the same works at MWK507 million.
“With issues that have emerged, and require concerted efforts, there is need for Malawians to save the country from some selfish individuals who are bent on nothing but plundering at will the country’s already depleted resources,” he says.
CDEDI has also written the Minister of Transport and Public Works to consider withdrawing the intention to award contracts to China Geo Engineering, pending investigations and due diligence on how the company was awarded a MWK19 billion contract, when the same company was unable to raise MWK4 billion in less than six months ago, as initial capital, due to what the company described as “lack of capacity”.
For starters, what is very confusing is that RA recently published an intention to award China Geo Engineering, to upgrade the first 42-kilometre of the Thabwa-Chitseko-Seveni (S152 East Bank) Road in Chikwawa, to bitumen standard despite the fact that the very same company was awarded the Mwanza-Neno Road project, which has since stalled despite the contractor escalating prices for over four times.
It is after such serious considerations that CDEDI feels it is high time Malawians started demanding answers from the present government on issues to do with public funds, which are slowly being depleted willy-nilly.
The country’s procurement especially in public infrastructure development are mostly being flouted and is becoming sickening that Malawians are paying huge bills in servicing the projects who are mostly being damaged before launch due to poor quality.
Surprisingly authorities have been defensive when eventualities occur.
The board of Malawi Stock Exchange (MSE)-listed Telekom Networks Malawi (TNM) Plc has appointed experienced telecoms executive Ted Sauti Phiri as its new Chairman.
He takes over from George Partridge following his departure from the board of majority shareholder, Press Corporation Ltd (PCL) earlier this year.
Phiri boasts 20 years experience in telecoms and digital media having worked in senior positions in West and Southern Africa at Airtel (Celtel), Vodafone, Econet, Multichoice and Helios Towers.
“We are excited to have Mr Sauti-Phiri as Chairman of the Board and look forward to him bringing his diverse experience across many countries to foster world class standards of service that TNM is renowned for,” said TNM CEO Arnold Mbwana in a statement.
The statement says in addition to his vast experience in the telecoms arena, Phiri has sat on various corporate boards, notable ones being CDH Investment Bank, Marsh and Malawi Accountants Board in Malawi.
According to the statement, Sauti-Phiri holds an MBA from Liverpool University, a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Chemistry and Computer Science from University of Malawi and is a Fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants of the UK.
The long road to 2025 Presidential elections, has taken very interesting angle following the leaked of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) strategy, which has described UTM party a threat to MCP’s dream of winning next polls.
The leaked document under the tittle ‘Roadmap to 2025 Consolidating and Strengthening the Party’ seeks to keep the MCP into power beyond 2025, by among others weakening UTM, which forms part of Tonse Alliance administration.
The Strategy noted that UTM, is key in changing the political Landscape and the mindset of the majority Malawians, hence the need to weaken it.
“Our existence in power is therefore threatened by our own presumed partners and the possibility of all of them trecking to the other side of the political stream to form another alliance with DPP and UTM at the helm of the structure,” reads the leaked strategy.
The strategy which has been developed by a Special Task Force within the party also aims at making MCP most popular party in the Central Region and among the Chewas, thereby making it a tribal and regional party in the process. For more, attached below is the entire strategy paper.
Fountain of Hope Ministries (FHM) International Church has lined up a number of activities for the Easter season under the banner Malawi National Prophetic Tour starting from Today, Friday the 15th of April.
FHM International Church which was founded by Prophet Vitu and Prophetess Dawa Kamanga announced the good tidings through a statement which was made available to the publication on Friday.
”At FHM International Church, we have planned month long Malawi National Prophetic Tour starting with a night of prayer on Friday, April 15th in Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Dowa from 9pm to 4am following an outdoor crusade at the Mbavi branch in Mchekeni village in Lilongwe near air wing on Saturday, April 16th from 1pm to 5pm,” reads the statement in part
According to FHM International Church, during this Easter weekend, the program ends on Sunday, April 17th at the Malawi church headquarters in Bwemba, area 46 in Lilongwe at the City of Hope and Refuge.
The programs will continue next weekend starting from Friday, April 22nd at Maghemo Secondary School Hall in Karonga, from 6pm to 10pm then in Mzuzu at Chibavi Secondary School Hall on Sunday April 24th from 1pm to 5pm.
In the South, the Malawi National Tour will be concluded on Friday, April 29th at Golden Peacock Hotel, Zomba room in Blantyre from 6pm to 10pm then in Balaka at Zembani Lodge on Saturday, April 30th from 1pm to 5pm.
The tour concludes on 1st May, in Lilongwe at the Fountain of Hope Ministries International Church in Bwemba, area 46, from 9am-2pm.
“The objective of this mission is to reach out to all fellow Malawians by joining together in prayer during these hard times.
“We pray that healing, deliverance, restoration, miracles, signs and wonders will locate all according to the Lord’s promise in Mark 16:15 – 18 because we are faith founded through the power of Jesus Christ of Nazareth and that is His promise to those who believe,” said the statement
FHM International Church was founded in 2014 and it was based in Lilongwe for 5 years until the Lord released a word to plant a branch in Seattle, Washington in U.S.A in 2019.
Since then, it has 14 branches in 6 countries. With 6 branches in Malawi, 3 branches in United States of America and others in Zambia, Kenya, Benin and Zimbabwe.
As a church, it is founded on the scripture in John 4:24 which says “But whoever takes a drink of the water that I will give him shall never, no never, be thirsty any more. But the water that I will give him shall become a spring of water welling up within him unto eternal life.”
All details for the Malawi National Prophetic Tour can be found on FHM International Church official Facebook page and website at www.fhminternationalchurch.org.
MALAWI CONGRESS PARTY (MCP) INVOLVEMENT AND INTEREST IN THE CHIKULAMAYEMBE CHIEFTAINSHIP SUCCESSION
Dear Sir,
We write to seek clarification and understanding of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) interest in the Chikulamayembe chieftainship succession. It is with deep concern that some senior members of your party, specifically Rev. Maurice Munthali has taken a center role in destabilizing the Nkhamanga Kingdom by unwelcomely getting involved in the on-going succession wrangle, which we find utterly unacceptable and perturbing as Nkhamanga Kingdom and Tumbuka Tribe.
We would like to bring to your attention that on the 6th of April 2022, T/A Mwankhunikira of Rumphi District was invited to Lilongwe by Rev. Maurice Munthali with unclear agenda. The Senior Chief met Rev. Maurice Munthali who happens to be your party spokesperson on the 7th of April 2022 at 4:30PM at the Ministry of Local Government offices in Lilongwe at Capital Hill where Rev. Maurice Munthali was accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Local Government Hon. Halima Daud and Aford Party President Enock Chihana. The Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Spokesperson Rev. Maurice Munthali with the aid of Deputy Minister of Local Government Hon. Halima Daud and Aford Party President Enock Chihana coerced T/A Mwankhunikira to support the unlawful and unculturable ascension of GVH Bongololo to the Chikulamayembe Chieftaincy with a promise to purchase a vehicle and construct a house for the Traditional Authority, which we find very unfortunate and of great concern.
The Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Spokesperson Rev. Maurice Munthali, Aford President Enock Chihana and Deputy Minister of Local Government Hon. Halima Daud went further to persuade T/A Mwankhunikira to convince his Royal Highness Acting Paramount Chief Themba Lama Themba Mtima Walter Gondwe to take up a diplomatic/embassy post in exchange of GVH Bongololo’s ascension to the Paramount Chikulamayembe Chieftaincy, which we find laughable, immature, and unacceptable. As a party that has unity and respect for the rule of law as its cornerstones, we would like to understand if this is Malawi Congress Party’s stand and position in Chikulamayembe Chieftainship succession.
We look forward to your response on this matter.
GVH Hunga (Royal Family Spokesperson) On behalf of Chikulamayembe Royal Family
The world’s most affluent financial publication, Global Finance, has named Standard Bank Plc as best bank in Malawi during the announcement of its 29th Annual Best Bank Awards for 2022.
Standard Bank Plc was recognized for responding to the needs of customers amidst the Covid-19 pandemic and accomplishing strong results while laying the foundations for future success.
The award reaffirms Standard Bank as the best financial partner to drive growth for clients and Malawi.
“Standard Bank is without a doubt the best in the country and this award just goes to show that we not only delivering solutions for our clients but that our clients trust us and believe that we work our level best to help them achieve their goals,” according to Phillip Madinga, Standard Bank Chief Executive.
The award comes at a time when the bank is driving possibilities through partnership and collaboration under the IT CAN BE tagline.
“Standard Bank has been leading the pack in offering solutions to clients that have enabled them achieve their dreams and drive growth our nation,” said Madinga.
According to Global Finance, the winning selections were made by the publication’s editors in consultation with corporate financial executives, bankers and banking consultants and analysts.
In selecting these top banks, Global Finance considered factors that ranged from the quantitative objective to the informed subjective.
“With the financial world in a state of turmoil from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, corporate leaders face a new set of challenges concerning the choice of their banking relationships.
Following on the enormous difficulties wrought by the Covid-19, these changes demand increased attention to global commercial relationships.
Our awards support decision-makers in selecting the best financial partners,” said Joseph D. Giarraputo, publisher and editorial director of Global Finance.
Overall, Standard Bank Group took home two awards this year from Global Finance Best Bank in Malawi and Best Bank in South Africa.
Harriet Kanyenda from FDH Bank washes her hands after planting a tree
FDH Bank plc has supplied 8,000 tree seedlings to enhance forest cover on the adopted Chingale Hills Forest in Zomba as part of its environmental sustainability programme.
Speaking during a tree planting event at Chingale Hills Forest, FDH Bank plc Head of Risk and Compliance Arthur Yapuwa said FDH respects the agreement that was made to adopt Chingale Hills Forest under its sustainability drive, FDH Cares, as one way of making a contribution towards afforestation to ensure that the forest is sustainably conserved.
FDH, through its staff members, partners, customers and various stakeholders, has devoted itself to plant 1 million trees by 2024. This initiative is being done in order to support the Malawi 2063 and UN Sustainable Development goals.
Yapuwa (right) plants a tree with a student from Chingale
“We have recently supplied a further 8000 seedlings through the community around Chingale forest to support tree planting as this is the season for tree planting. We will further support sustainability initiatives here through material resources and support of sustainable initiatives.”
“FDH Bank Plc recognizes the importance of a green environment and as a responsible corporate citizen it has reinforced its commitment to champion a sustainable and resilient green environment that will foster sustainable development of the country,” said Yapuwa.
He said the FDH Group is engaged in a number of initiatives under its Environment sustainability pillar in its strategic plan.
Chingale secondary school students planting trees
“In 2021, we launched the Be Green Smart campaign and have since facilitated planting of over 250, 000 trees. FDH Bank Plc applauds the effort and the role the Department of Forestry, the community of Chingale, the District Forestry Office and other key stakeholders are playing in conserving the environment in Malawi and supporting the global initiative which also includes Malawi,” said Yapuwa.
Senior Chief Mlumbe hailed FDH for its support towards the afforestation programme on Chingale Hill Forest announcing that he will soon introduce stiff by-laws aimed at protecting trees in the area from unscrupulous people who cut down trees wantonly.
“My punishment will include leaders who fail to protect trees in their areas from these unscrupulous people,” said the Chief.
After failing to drag in the mud Vice President Saulos Chilima in the USA trip entourage debacle, we can reveal that members of the MCP media team will launch an avalanche of attacks on the Vice President.
Despite President Lazarus Chakwera assuring the Roman Catholic Bishop at a recent meeting that his relationship with his Vice is ‘perfect’ members of the MCP media team being led by MCP stalwart and Director of Information Chikumbutso Mtumodzi are on an onslaught to damage the reputation of Chilima and his UTM party who are the main partners in the ruling Tonse Alliance with MCP.
Insiders said the list containing a bloated 41-member strong entourage which will be accompanying Chilima to the USA later this month where he has been delegated by Chakwera to represent him at an economic summit, was ‘leaked’ by State House communication team to a journalist working with The Nation newspaper.
Chilima through his spokesperson officially announced that he is taking a delegation of 15 people from his office to the trip.
Now members of the MCP social media team are preparing another onslaught on Chilima and his UTM party, we can reveal.
MTUMODZI: Leading the propaganda team
One of the members of the social media team revealed that they have lined up a number of stories with an aim of denting Chilima’s image.
The member who said ‘is tired with people who do not wish the country well’ said he has decided to reveal the plot ‘to clear my conscious’.
“What is happening is very sad. I do not know why we are doing all these things to our leaders. This week we are supposed to start writing stories and posts on social media attacking the personality of the Vice President and his UTM party,” said the member.
The discontent in the MCP camp is coming in because of an agreement made between President Chakwera that he will serve only one term and would pave way for Chilima to stand as a presidential candidate in 2025 elections.
Chilima cannot stand as a running mate having served as Vice President for two consecutive terms as mandated by the country’s constitution. He can, however, stand as a presidential candidate or member of parliament in the next elections scheduled for September 2025.
Strategists have also advised Chakwera to continue with his ‘crop inspection’ tours targeting areas where Chilima is popular. The President will inspect crops in Chilima’s home district of Ntcheu today.
