Dust is refusing to settle in the recruitment process of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Electricity Supply Commission of Malawi (ESCOM), with fresh shocking revelations that ESCOM Board recruited Kamkwamba Kumwenda who came second during the interviews.

A memo in our custody signed by the Chairperson for ESCOM Appointments and Remuneration Committee, Bridget Chibwana, indicates that Kamkwamba scored 78. 00% while the first position was scored by former lawmaker Alexander Kusamba Dzonzi who scored 79.77%.

Surprisingly, ESCOM board opted for Kumwenda, a close associate to the corporations’ chairperson Frederick Changaya, as the Chief Executive Officer for the public funded electricity supplier.

According to a Memo signed by ESCOM Board Chairperson, Fredrick Changaya, the board met on 6th of October 2021 at Mount Soche where among others tore apart the results from the interviews.

Among others, the Board claimed that Kusamba Dzonzi was not an effective team builder and has traits of favoritism and nepotism in him, not fit for the position.

“The board therefore resolve that; Kamkwamba Kumwenda, who was ranked second in the interviews with 78.00% should be offered the position of Chief Executive Officer,” said Changaya in a memo in our custody

The Board further resolved that: “in the event that Kumwenda turns down the offer, the board may wish to offer the position of Chief Executive Officer to Kusamba Dzonzi who ranked first in the interviews.”

“In the event that both Kumwenda and Kusamba Dzonzi turns down the offer then the board may wish, with caution, consider Evelyn Mwapasa as the next preferred candidate, who was ranked third with a score of 72.59%.” reads the memo in part.

After the whole saga, the board on Thursday went on and announced the appointment of Kumwenda as Escom’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with effect from February 8, 2022.

By Blessings Kaunda

Mzuzu, February 10, Mana: Malawi Prison Service (MPS) has said 2021 Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) results in prisons have shown that the institutions provide quality education as the pass rate has increased from 50 per cent in 2020 to 55.6 per cent in 2021.

In an interview on Thursday with Malawi News Agency, MPS Spokesperson, Chimwemwe Shawa said 44 out of 79 inmates who sat for MSCE passed the examinations.

He said the best performer is from Mzuzu Prison and scored 18 points.

“To us, this is an indication that we are providing reformative, arbitrative and re-introgression programs in inmates amidst the challenge that we are facing in the field of education,” Shawa said.

 He said the prisons have managed to go that far with inadequate qualified teachers. We also lack science laboratories, well stocked libraries, teaching and learning materials,

“Despite all these challenges, MPS strives to provide education to inmates as one way of reforming them so that they can be productive citizens,” he said.

Shaba then appealed for support from stakeholders and well-wishers who would wish to join MPS in reforming inmates through provision of quality education.

Education activist who is also Executive Director for Civil Society Education Coalition (CSEC), Benedicto Kondowe, said there is need to provide enabling environment in prisons, appreciating that the places are already constrained in terms of infrastructure.

 “But every effort must be made to make sure that we provide learning facilities within the prisons so that inmates’ right to education is also guaranteed,” Kondowe said.

He said provision of education to inmates is consistent with reforms in prisons.

“Inmates should be provided with prerequisite competences and capacities so that they become competent to contribute towards the country’s development.

“So, I think the most powerful tool we can use to perform inmates is education, as such, government must ensure that inmates are accorded their right to education,” he said.

By our reporter

Living in agonic situations, empty stomach, fear for sexual exploitation and helpless on their shelter is a true reflection of how life is deemed when ever natural disasters such as floods landfall in most districts in the country.

For many decades most parts especially in the lower shire districts such as Nsanje and Chikwawa have fallen victims of Cyclones (Idai and Ana) which have devastated most families living others displaced and losing their lives in the course.

“It was Sunday, 23rd January 2022 when rains begun continuously to Monday, 24th and it was on this day’s evening whilst taking supper with my family, when I heard people running and wailing that flood are coming of which I immediately carried my baby and run for our dear lives to this evacuation center.” Agness Gwembere narrates her story.

According to Gwembere while comparing with the past rains, life has not been easy to survive in such scenarios as they can not reconstruct their houses with relentless floods. 

“I came to this evacuation center with hope to be assisted as am waiting for the weather to settle down so I can reconstruct my house and am thankful that the center has been safe harbor for the fact that we are being provided with food and a safe place to sleep as this facility was constructed systematically to constrain water from debilitating it, hence our security is very quiet assured here.”

Gwembere then contrasted with experiences from previous years when people used to evacuate to nearby Milema Catholic primary schools where sexual exploitation issues were also intense due to inadequate space to accommodate many people as she cited the UNDP Malawi evacuation center has enough space to accommodate both genders to be sleeping on different rooms.

“This center is also playing a pivotal role in this community as a venue to host different types of events including weddings since it has its large rooms with beautiful yard, while previously we used open space for public gatherings”-She said

In a common opinion with Gwembere is GVH  Mpembeza George Chinthali  residing in  Zomba rural just 19km away from Thondwe turn-off whose subjects benefited with weather and flood resilient houses

“Just like previous years, the Tropical Storm Ana has again affected my subjects with some losing their household belongings as several houses have been washed away with heavy rains, however the situation is not intense unlike the previous years, thanks to UNDP Malawi through their disaster inclusive recovery project which has constructed houses for some of my people and have played a huge role this year as many people have also been accommodated in these houses.” Lamented Chinthali

In the same area UNDP Malawi has also constructed flood resilient community market in a quest to prevent natural disaster from hampering business activities.

Malita Kwenzalamba aged 79 runs a small tomato business at the market who said  the new market facility has helped to stabilize business operations.

“After this new facility was constructed at this market for us, we are able to do our business steadily, since the structure is strong and well covered to prevent rains and scorching sun from tampering with our operations, for this we are very grateful, and I would also like to ask if they can construct another to accommodate more vendors.” she said

Meanwhile one of the country’s key development partner United Nations Development Program UNDP has reaffirmed commitment to continue rendering various support to natural disaster stricken people in the country.

 In his remarks UNDP Malawi Programme Analyst for Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction, Sothini Nyirenda expressed continued support in a quest to compliment government’s efforts in averting effects of the natural disaster like Tropical Storm Ana.

According to Nyirenda under Inclusive Recovery Project and the Promoting Sustainable Partnerships for Empowered Resilience (PROSPER) programme the Organisation works in advancing government agendas to up safety of people in disaster prone areas.

“Appreciating the fact that floods continue to pose serious threats to life and property across the country, we have been partnering Malawi government to help build capacity of key actors to improve weather and climate information, early warnings to disaster-prone communities to save lives and safeguard livelihoods.

“the initiative is generating important analyses for planning and real-time incident reporting during disasters which helps in ensuring timely response to affected populations and to promote resilience.” Said Nyirenda

UNDP Malawi has constructed a total of 10 Evacuation Centres over the years, capacitated to accommodate more than 300 people in flood prone areas and plans to construct  200 weather and flood resilient houses in  affected communities in Zomba and Phalombe districts.

The multipurpose centers provide safe temporary shelter during disasters and include solar lights to ensure security around the premises, access to running water and sanitation needs, energy efficient stoves, spacious separate rooms for men and women, storage, cooking utensils, beddings, and trained camp management officials

President Lazarus Chakwera declared a State of National Disaster on 26^th January 2022 and appealed for support from donors, partners including UN Agencies, Nongovernmental organizations and well-wishers towards people affected by tropical storm Ana.