Wednesday, March 12, 2025
الرئيسية بلوق الصفحة 137

Commentators hail Vuwa for suing MEC over loss he incurred through court-sanctioned by-election

Malawi Observer
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Commentators hail Vuwa for suing MEC over loss he incurred through court-sanctioned by-election
VUWA: Commended

Social media commentators have hailed the decision by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmaker for Nkhata Bay Central Constituency, Symon Vuwa Kaunda, to drag Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to court for the loss he incurred to reclaim his seat following the nullification of his victory in May 2021.

The commentators emphasize that it is high time Malawians started holding MEC accountable for the irregularities during elections.

Vuwa Kaunda is demanding that MEC should pay him K600 million for the psychologic and physical torture and economic loss he suffered to defend his victory in the May 2019 parliamentary elections.

However, MEC has refused to honour the claim, a decision MEC Director of Legal Affairs, David Matumika Banda, said they have already communicated to the claimant’s lawyers.

Banda argued that the claim was directed at the wrong party.

Vuwa Kaunda, who acknowledged receipt of the response from the pollster, maintains that MEC is the right institution to sue by virtue of its mandate to conduct free, fair and credible elections.

The legislator argued that in the event that the election has been riddled with irregularities, the Commission needs and must take responsibility.

“In a game of football, the referee would be penalized if he did not officiate the match professionally. So, is it not surprising that I have been punished on behalf of MEC, which messed up an election and went away with it?” he asked.

“I incurred huge economic loss to conduct fresh campaign to reclaim my seat just because of some employees at MEC were didn’t do their job right. So, is it not only fair that MEC should compensate me for such a loss inflicted on me by them?” argued Vuwa Kaunda.

Some Malawians have concurred with the legislator, arguing time had come for MEC to be held to account for its misconduct.

A China-based Malawian, who only identifies himself as Che Lifa, said at law, damages are a remedy in the form of a monetary award to be paid to a claimant as compensation for loss or injury.

“To warrant the award, the claimant must show that a breach of duty has caused foreseeable loss,” said Lifa in his post on News and Reports Forum.

Another social media enthusiast [name deliberately withheld] said MEC’s negligence must not be overlooked in this case.

He said Kaunda had every reason to take this matter to High Court.

“MEC, in my opinion, should have engaged Vuwa Kaunda’s lawyers outside court and reach a consensus. Already, both the ConCourt and the Supreme Court of Appeal agreed that the previous MEC was incompetent. The chances for Mr. Kaunda winning the case are higher than that of MEC,” he said.

In his contribution, Sheikh Jaffar Kawinga said Vuwa Kaunda had a stronger case against the pollster.

Press Cane donates K10.5million hospital items to Chikwawa Hospital

Malawi Observer
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Press Cane donates K10.5million hospital items to Chikwawa Hospital

By Mc Donald Chapalapata, a Contributor

Chithambo (left) presents some of the items to Councillor Abrey Masanza while Chikwawa DC Ali Phiri looks on

Ethanol distiller Press Cane Limited, a subsidiary of conglomerate Press Corporation plc on Monday donated hospital items worth K10.5 million to Chikwawa District Hospital as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) mandate.

The items that were presented include a Diathermy, linen, 1,000 blood giving sets, 50,000 EDTA tubes, 1 theatre bed and 3 patient monitors.

Speaking at Chikwawa District Hospital when he presented the materials, Press Corporation plc General Manager (Operations) Lyton Chithambo said the health sector has been stretched because of the Covid-19 pandemic hence the donation.

“We realize that the health sector has been overstretched because of the Covid-19 pandemic and that most of the resources have been directed to the fight against the pandemic leaving some areas wanting. So, our donation is to compliment the government’s efforts in providing good health care to its citizens,” said Chithambo.

Chithambo (left) presents some of the items to Chikwawa District Council Chairman Councillor Aubrey Masanza as Chikwawa DC Ali Phiri looks on

“We urge hospital authorities to take good care of these items so that they should serve the intended beneficiaries who are the patients here in Chikwawa,” added Chithambo.

Chikwawa District Director of Health and Social Services Dr Stalin Zinkanda thanked Press Cane for the donation, promising to put it to the right use so that it benefits the patients.

“We are grateful for this donation because it has come at a right time when we all know that the health sector is overstretched at the moment because of the Covid-19 pandemic. We want to assure Press Cane Limited that materials that they have donated will be put to good use to help our patients,” said Zinkanda.

He also announced that Chikwawa District Hospital will soon start paying services and that consultations are underway with some organizations so that their employees should not travel all the way to Blantyre to seek medical help when they can be helped at the hospital at a fee.

Why Mpinganjira was picked up for shaming

Malawi Observer
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Why Mpinganjira was picked up for shaming
BEING PICKED FOR SHAMING: Mpinganjira during earlier court appearance

I have had the opportunity to listen to the recorded judgement delivery as broadcast live on Zodiak Broadcasting Station and I am coming to the conclusion that Mpinganjira was singled out to be put to shame to meet interests of I do not know who. I say so considering the following:

1.     When Reyneck Matemba who was at that time ACB Director announced that they had received a letter from Chief Justice regarding to an incident of attempted bribery for the judges, he mentioned that that was not the only tip that the ACB received. Matemba told the nation through a press briefing that the Bureau had received more complaints related to two business people and politicians who tried to influence the case.

Almost two years on, there is no news on those others and everyone is quiet about it. Interesting Mpinganjira’s case has galloped through the process. My question is why? For whose convenience was all this about?
 
2.    Further to that, aspersions have been cast on how the Madam Judge argued in some parts of her judgement. For example, during submission and cross examinations, Mpinganjira said he had shelled out money to political leaders namely Joyce Banda,  Lazarus Chakwera and Saulos Chilima and to DPP. In her determination Madama Judge still hanged Mpinganjira on the basis of the money he gave to the DPP. In her argument, she said that Mpinganjira disclosed that he gave money to Chakwera, Chilima and Joyce Banda just to confuse the court and embarrass them.

She then said in his actions, she was only interested in having the case go in favour of the DPP because it owed him a lot of money. How did the judge come up with these equations and conclusions as if those people which Mpinganjira had given money been brought before court to testify? Or did they?
 
On careful analysis of the judgement, there is every palpable evidence that it was hurried as evidenced by too many gaps.

In addition, the judgement is littered with conjectures and forced conclusions by the Honourable Judge. I dare say the judgement leaves a lot to be desired such that it lends itself to an opinion that it is a tool meant to accomplish the mission of some conspiracy against Mpinganjira.  

I conclude by saying the court did say the judgement is yet to be perfected but we all know there is not much left to do on it. Fixing tenses and correcting spelling errors and improving sentence construction won’t remove it from the shelf of the conspiracy theory.

My only prayer is that one day the truth shall come out and set us all free.  
I rest my case.

Standard Bank taps the unbanked with UNAYO

Malawi Observer
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Standard Bank taps the unbanked with UNAYO
MADINGA: The solution literally puts the power in Malawians’ hands to improve their financial wellbeing

Standard Bank plc, on Wednesday launched Unayo, a services platform that connects businesses, customers and communities and provides a single hub for economic activity. It facilitates ease of transacting when paying for goods and services, money transfers and disbursements.

Chief Executive Phillip Madinga said the innovation aims at redefining the banking sector by creating new frontiers to serve Malawians better and wider but also connect the various ecosystems in the country.

“Unayo is a revolutionary services platform that enables us solve a range of problems faced by communities when handling their financial needs. By its very name Unayo is Swahili for “You Have It”, or Ulinayo in vernacular. The solution literally puts the power in Malawians’ hands to improve their financial wellbeing and embrace them in a growing and thriving economic ecosystem.”

Malawians can register on Unayo in two ways, either as merchant or customer designed for day to day banking services. Merchants and customers can transact with everyone in Malawi from any mobile network.

The platform allows customers to move money using Cash In and Cash Outs, and pay friends, family and merchants, and Electronic Money Transfers.

According to Madinga, Unayo will revolutionalise the banking industry by tapping the unbanked base.

“With mobile phone operators sharing over 9 million customers, it is the Unayo platform which will help include the rest of the population into banking mainstream,” he said.

He said with Unayo, Standard Bank is reiterating that it is part of an ecosystems driver that connects different customers and market players across the spectrum.

He further pointed out that that the bank is simultaneously addressing issues of financial inclusion and job creation through this innovation.

“We are bringing as many Malawians as possible into the banking system via modern technologies. No one should be left behind when it comes to accessing banking services either as a merchant or customer or beneficiary.”

In his remarks, Reserve Bank of Malawi Deputy Governor, Grant Kabango, commended Standard Bank for being a driver of change within the economy via modern innovations and technologies.

“Unayo Platform comes as a timely intervention to a sector that is dynamic and in need of new ideas to improve delivery of modern financial services. Currently, only two million of out of the country’s total population of 19 million are bank customers meaning penetration is still very low. We are convinced that Unayo has come to help in reversing that anomaly by taking banking straight to the people and doing so through modern means,” he said.

For one to be on Unayo, all they need is a mobile gadget, mobile number and Personal ID. Registration on USSD is by dialing *247# and follow the prompts. As for the mobile App, one must download Unayo from Apple Store or Play Store and follow the registration guide.

MULTICHOICE MALAWI CELEBRATES 25 YEARS: Launches Sankha Wekha (you choose) campaign

Malawi Observer
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MULTICHOICE MALAWI CELEBRATES 25 YEARS: Launches Sankha Wekha (you choose) campaign
GUS BANDA: MultiChoice continues to grow by working hand in hand with local communities

This year Multi Choice Malawi celebrates half a century of enriching  Malawian lives through the launch of the Sankha Wekha (you choose) campaign. Through Sankha Wekha, we aim to celebrate the partnerships we have created with our many stakeholders who include, our regulators, customers, employees, retailers and agents who have enabled us to continue providing our customers with choice through the many services we offer. It is through these partnerships that we are able to celebrate 25 years of enriching lives and empowering Malawian communities.

This journey began 25 years ago, as a joint venture between Malawian owned, Raise Limited and MultiChoice Africa Holdings, launching the first ever pay TV business in Malawi which was received with overwhelming positivity and excitement. As the business continued to grow and expand it became necessary to ensure we diversified our offerings through afforadbly priced subscriptions. This resulted in the launch of GOtv in 2013, which provided unmatched quality content and value for money.

In the last 25 years the business has made tremendous strides and invested in various initiatives that have further allowed us to continue providing Malawians with solutions that are aimed at optimising our customer touchpoints, while ensuring we enhance and simplfy how our customers interact with our products and services thereby putting our customers first. Through its business operations, investments in technology, local infrastructure, CSI initiatives, value added services and local partnerships we are proud to have been able to enrich lives.

MultiChoice continues to grow by working hand in hand with local communities with our business operations expanding over the last 25 years and now spanning across Blantyre and Lilongwe with 85 Malawian employees alongside a national footprint comprising of retailers, over 200 agents throughout the country and  58 accredited installers who work collectively at making great content accessible to our customers.

As we continue to grow with our communities, our mission is to deliver value to our customers by offering the best entertainment  choices by developing the right mix of content from telenovelas to kids shows to football and a variety of world class content  to keep Malawians entertained  in a range of packages on DStv and GOtv while providing local content delivered through our local FTAs which are available on both.

This incredible journey would not have been possible without our many partners including government ministries, national broadcasters, regulators and entrepreneurs whom together, we have helped grow local businesses in challenging socio-economic climates and inturn enriched the lives of Malawians. These relationships have enabled us to extend our reach through impactful projects like our Corporate Social Initiatives (CSI) where we refurbished the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital ICU and contributed in the fight againsta COVID, which has provided the hospital with the means to, literally, save lives on a daily basis.

Furthermore, through the entrepreneurship oppurtunities created in the Sankha Wekha Kiosks, we have equipped our agents with the power to own their own businesses. We continue to operate with the objective of positively contributing to the communities in which we operate whilst building long term cooperative relationships within our community.

Another way the business supports the growth of the Malawian creative industry is through the MultiChoice Talent Factory. This flagship corporate social investment initiative inspires and nurtures talented young people to work in and build creative industries and generate a pipeline of African content birthed from Malawian talent.  

After 25 years, MultiChoice Malawi remains committed to putting our customers at the heart of everything we do. The business is passionate about customer experience and delivering exceptional service at every point of interaction. Our very existence is due to the loyalty of our valued customers, and our commitment is to ensure they continue to enjoy the very best television experience in Malawi with the best content, best technology and the best customer experience. 

Build, create and grow – are the ideals guiding our efforts now as we continue enriching the lives of Malawians even further through rich African storytelling, powerful social upliftment and strong economic development. Through the hardwork and dedication of our employees and the loyalty of our growing customers base, MultiChoice Malawi is able to enjoy and celerbate 25 years of Sankha Wekha and strive to enjoy many more!

#SankhaWekha

Gus Banda, Managing Director, MultiChoice Malawi

—–END—-

For more information contact

Zena Makunje

Corporate Affairs Manager, MultiChoice Malawi

zena.makunje@mw.multichoice.com

Thom Mpinganjira was a mouse in the court of cats

Malawi Observer
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Thom Mpinganjira was a mouse in the court of cats
MPINGANJIRA: a mouse in the court of cats

On Friday, the judiciary in Malawi got in its bloodied claws a high-profile victim in the name of rich business man, Thomson Frank Mpinganjira.

To all those who cared to see, Mpinganjira was never going to be acquitted from the case of attempting to bribe five judges in the presidential election matter because he was a mouse in the court of cats. When it comes to this, a mouse cannot win a case despite the quality of its arguments or despite that it is innocent. I am tempted to think that it is highly likely that Mpinganjira himself knew this would be the outcome.

First of all, the case was reported to the ACB by the Chief Justice himself in late 2019. In addition, witnesses in the case on the part of the State were the five judges he is alleged to have tried to corrupt. Finally, the one presiding over the matter was a fellow judge as normal.

So, it was a court house full of cats licking their pawns against one mouse whose misfortune was to be rich, famous and probably on the wrong side of political thinking. Guys, there is no way Mpinganjira was going to walk away from that court proven not guilty, even if he was to be innocent.

It is my considered opinion that Mpinganjira is a victim not of what he attempted to do but of a judiciary attempting to prove to the world that it is less corrupt and has a good moral standing. I am using “less corrupt” because some judges in Malawi are very corrupt and have no moral uprightness, they are accusing Mpinganjira of. This is a fact!

Not too long ago a voice note circulated on social media of a police man complaining that one senior judge who he was providing security at his house assaulted him under the influence of alcohol and left him with injuries for which he was treated as an outpatient at a hospital in Blantyre.

This is one example of the many cases of moral inappropriateness of some of our judges and lawyers in Malawi. I dare say that Malawians have evidence and if there was an opportunity in life for people to say what the mischief our judges and lawyers are involved in, it would be the from the rising to the setting of the sun where people would provide evidence of corruption, unfathered children, sexual assaults, twisted judgements and the devils knows what.

While he was being questioned in the case, Mpinganjira alluded to this when he asked the judge to recuse herself from the case because of numerous improprieties which included that the judge made various offers to Mpinganjira if he was to get a favourable outcome of the case. Of course, the judge refused to recuse herself but how convenient was it that the judge decided not to clear herself on this matter when she was delivering her judgement on Friday and instead dwelt on the money which Mpinganjira had shelled out to politicians?  

The point I am making is this that while our judges have been doing ostensibly a commendable job upholding our growing democracy viz-a-viz deliver justice, their personal and professional record has too many holes punched in by numerous improprieties that obfuscate their fairness at justice delivery.

The real problem we have, in my opinion, is there is no one to police them. I am cognizant of the fact that there is a Judicial Service Commission which I am told is supposed to be the policeman but show me one case which that commission has even presided over to censure a judge for misconduct.

I see journalists suffering from lawsuits, forced to run apologies and retractions and getting reprimanded from their mother bodies and from everyone who thinks journalists are there to accuse and vilify. The President, Members of Parliament, Councillors are under the constant eye of the public court every day of their lives and judgement is passed at the next election.

On the other hand, the judiciary is some secret cult that is policed by none as it wallows in personal and professional mischief and distortion of law and justice.

Yes, we embraced democracy but our democracy is not balanced as long as certain sections of government are accountable to no one but themselves as if they are God and as a consequence, we shall all be victims of their machinations and always be found guilty in our innocence.

That is undemocratic and evil. Those scales of justice must balance for once.
Truly Malawian.

THOM MPINGANJIRA: TO BE IN JAIL OR NOT

Malawi Observer
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THOM MPINGANJIRA: TO BE IN JAIL OR NOT
MPINGANJIRA: He did not commit any crime. He only attempted to commit a crime.

When High Judge Dorothy DeGabrielle pronounced a guilty verdict on business magnate Thom Mpinganjira on Friday, she convicted millions of hopes and aspirations among Malawians.

For, a day in prison for Mpinganjira is eternal prison for millions of lives the man has touched and would have touched in his life.

A comment on one facebook post about his being convicted bears testimony. It reads as follows: 

“I have never met him in person, but some students at our college were so needy and were about to be withdrawn for non-payment of fees.”

“One student gave me the contact for Mpinganjira to talk to him on their behalf. Mpinganjira deposited 1.5 mita [million] the same day into our account as fees for 2 students. This year he has paid about 10 million as fees for other needy students.

“Before this judgement, he was about to fund us for the construction of 2 classroom blocks. He is kind and approachable.”

This is a comment from a student from Trinity College of Nursing and Midwifery. Since the judgement, comments like these have been outpouring.

For those who are honest, charity is what Mpinganjira is well known for. He has helped the sick, reached out to the needy, inspired and touched millions of lives.

Mpinganjira has not just been an inspiring entrepreneur of note. He has also been almost a perfect human being. 

There are many Malawians who are rich, some of them probably richer than Mpinganjira himself. But they have never shared their wealth with anyone. For some of them, their wealth is gotten through sins far graver and more unjust to humanity than the one Mpinganjira is alleged to have attempted to commit.

To the contrary, Mpinganjira has been something else. A self-made banking entrepreneur who built his empire from humble beginnings and grew it with hard work, innovation and business savvy, he has used his money to reach out to needy Malawians, some of whom he does not know and will never know.

Apart from touching lives directly, he has inspired many Malawians that they are as good as others around the world to get rich, in this country, and create jobs for others.

There will be those that will celebrate his conviction. Largely, it is out of jealousy for what he has been able to achieve. It will be because of their perception of him in terms of their political interests. It will be from all sorts of dishonest arguments.

But if you listen to the judgement, Mpinganjira did not commit any crime. He only allegedly attempted to commit a crime. Even then, no one knows what happened in the dark corners of this incident. What if he was influenced by some crookedness into committing a crime?
In human nature, these errors of judgement are normal.

Judges have these errors of judgement. Rich people make them. Presidents make them. Artists make them. The poor make them. Everyone makes them.

We all have our crimes and attempted crimes because we are humans.

The question should be whether some crimes are grave enough for one to get imprisoned for, in the process imprisoning millions of hopes and aspirations.

Mpinganjira is a larger-than-life figure. He did not commit any crime. He only attempted to commit a crime.

Therefore, the nation is stuck with the question to decide on what it gains between having him in jail and having him out of jail.

NBM plc gives Icam K3 million for lake conference

Malawi Observer
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NBM plc gives Icam K3 million for lake conference

By Mc Donald Chapalapata, a Contributor

Daniel Jere (right) presents a dummy cheque to Gondwe

National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc on Thursday supported the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Malawi (Icam) with K3 million for its annual lake conference scheduled for 16-18 September 2021 in Mangochi.

Speaking in Blantyre, NBM plc Head of Internal Audit Daniel Jere said the conference dubbed ‘the biggest of them all’ attracts a diverse range of high-profile personalities and professionals in the country ranging from government, parastatals, NGOs, development partners, international partners and members of the private sector, among others. 

“As the Bank of the Nation, we have partnered with ICAM previously and are partnering with them again this year.  This is because we know that with all these powerful people gathered at one place, it presents an ideal opportunity to engage them on financial solutions that the Bank is capable of providing to them.”

“Above all, the conference presents an opportunity for Bank participants to network with like-minded individuals and keep abreast with the latest global trends,” said Jere.

He also assured participants at the conference that NBM plc will strive to cater to their banking needs.

“We all know that accountants follow the money keenly and it is our hope that participants at the conference will use several of our digital platforms to transact whilst at the lake and in so doing make their jobs easier as they can trace where the money is going,” said Jere.

Icam Chief Executive Officer Francis Chinjoka Gondwe hailed NBM plc for the support saying the bank has been a true partner since time immemorial.

“We are grateful to NBM plc for this support, it will go a long way in making this year’s annual lake conference a success. NBM plc has been supporting us in most of our activities since time immemorial and the bank is indeed a true partner for Icam,” said Gondwe.

He said recently NBM plc contributed K2 Million towards the awards for best performing ICAM students and also rolled out ICAM payment options on its USSD based mobile banking platform Mo626 ice for various Icam functions.

Police Demolish Houses in Mzuzu, 65 Malawi Housing Houses risk demolition in Blantyre

Malawi Observer
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Police Demolish Houses in Mzuzu, 65 Malawi Housing Houses risk demolition in Blantyre
Some of the houses Malawi police have demolished in Mzuzu

Police have this morning demolished houses that were built by encroachers in Mzuzu on private land. The encroachers who include Malawi Congress party officials according to Zodiak online, were crying on the site claiming they have proper papers.

This demolition comes barely a week after the High court in Blantyre granted an injunction evicting Malawi Housing tenants from houses Malawi housing built on private land in Ngumbe in Blantyre belonging to Costa and Samantha Scordis.

In Court the Scordis Family is asking the court order demolition of the 65 illegally constructed houses.

There was drama at Ngumbe in Blantyre where Malawi Housing Corporation (MHC) tenants were being evicted from their houses which the parastatal organisation constructed on the alleged private land.

Several families are expected to be chased out of the 65 two-bedroom semi-detached houses which MHC built with a K3.5 billion bank loan on a freehold farming land belonging to the family of Costas and Samantha Scordis.

RISK DEMOLITION: Some of the MHC houses in Ngumbe

MHC management ignored professional advice not to proceed with the housing project due to ownership issues forcing the Scordis family to drag the corporation to court in 2018.

Lawyer Kuleza Phokoso is representing the Scordis family.

The 65 houses risk demolition because in court the Scordis family is demanding the financially struggling MHC and its agents to remove any structures built on the 53 hectares piece of land and if they do not remove Scordis would demolish and remove all such structures at the cost of the MHC.

There was no immediate comment from MHC as both its acting chief executive officer Jordan Chipatala and public relations officer (PRO) Ernestina Lunguzi did not pick up their phones.

However Government through the Minister of Lands Kezzie Msukwa and Abida Mia and Titus Mvalo are said to have intervened to negotiate an out of court settlement with the Scordis family to avoid the demolition of the houses.

Tenants say they feel unsafe as any day they will be chased and the houses demolished even if it takes time.

(Report by Viweme Kumwenda)

Court Clarifies on SKC Mpinganjira/FDH Loans

Malawi Observer
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Court Clarifies on SKC Mpinganjira/FDH Loans

Contrary to what was communicated some time back during the trial of Thom Mpinganjira’s bribery case, today the court clarified that Vice President Saulos Chilima never got a donation from Mpinganjira but a loan which he paid.

Speaking as she delivered judgement on the bribery case, Judge Dorothy deGablielle clarified that in August 2018 and January 2020 Dr. Chilima recieved K40 million from Mpinganjira through a bank employee and the money was paid back.

“The bank employee confirmed collecting back K40 million from Dr. Chilima as loan payment. Dr. Chilima also got a loan of K350 million from FDH bank,” said the Judge.

However, the Judge did not mention anything as to whether the K98 million kwacha that President Chakwera recieved was paid back.

The Judge said Mr. Kapondamgaga and Mr.Chaima as well as President Chakwera himself collected money from Mpinganjira as a donation.

“The accused said he met President Chakwera at Ufulu garden where he donated K20 million in person and in cash,” said the Judge.

The Judge made these pronouncements as she gave background to the case where Mpinganjira is being accused of bribing judges.

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