Muluzi sponsored clergy lose Synod polls

The Blantyre Synod's St Michaels and All Angels church in the commercial city Blantyre. Pic by Malawi Digest.

By Lucy Liponda

Malawi’s second largest Christian church, the Church of Central African Presbyterian (CCAP) this Monday afternoon has ushered into office three top officials through a tight vote amidst reports that former President Bakili Muluzi was sponsoring some of the candidates that have lost.

According to Malawi Digest sources, the opposition UDF national chairman Bakili Muluzi was sponsoring several reverends that were taking part in the polls.

The Muluzi sponsored reverends include Rev Andrew Maere and Rev. Rodney Bona.

The CCAP elections, were held on the second day of the church's bi-annual assembly being held at the multi-purpose hall in Malawi's commercial city, Blantyre.

Maere was standing in the elections to be returned as Deputy Secretary General for the Synod and Bona was seeking re-election into office as Moderator for the Synod.

Earlier in the afternoon, there was a heated debate before the polls were conducted as delegates could not agree on who was to take part in the vote and what type of voting should be used.

All journalists were not allowed into the voting hall but this reporter for Malawi Digest sneaked in and watched everything as events unfold.

After agreeing on the mode of voting and who to vote, delegates to the conference were allowed to go out for lunch before voting resumed an hour later.

First to go for voting was the Moderator’s position that saw Reverends Reynolds Mmangisa, Rodney Bona and Felix Chingota competing.

The post of Moderator who is the Synod's overall head, was convincingly won by Rev. Reynolds M'mangisa with 133 votes against 104 for Bona and 60 for Chingota.

The post of Deputy Moderator went to Rev Mercy Chilapula unopposed.

On the Deputy Secretary General’s position Reverends Chitsulo, Andrew Maere, Mathias Hauya, Gertrude Kapuma and Austin Chimenya competed.

After the polls, Rev Austin Chimenya emerged winner with 117 votes against Maere’s 93, Chitsulo got 29, Hauya 37 and Kapuma got 19.

The bi-annual general assembly is being attended by over 500 delegates from the United States of America, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The church's synods of Nkhoma and Livingstonia have also been invited to the assembly.

The loss in the elections by Rev. Andrew Maere and Rev. Rodney Bona is another denial by one of the Malawi's largest Christian churches to Bakili Muluzi’s infiltration.

Former president Muluzi likes using religious leaders for his political survival. Muluzi has been using the Islamic religion, some clerks in the CCAP church, some priests in the Roman Catholic Church and some members of the clergy in the Anglican church for his political survival.

According to sources, Bakili Muluzi was using the Blantyre Synod politically through former General Secretary for the Synod, Rev. Daniel Gunya and the just defeated Deputy General Secreatry Rev. Andrew Maere.

Gunya stood as an independent Parliamentary candidate in the May 19th polls. He stood as an independent after losing in the opposition UDF primaries. Gunya however failed to make it to Parliament in the main polls.

On Sunday night, Muluzi's agents were seen travelling from one point of accommodation to another trying to cox and bribe delegates to the bi-annual meeting in order to have his preferred candidates elected into these powerful positions-Malawi Digest.

No third term for Ngwazi Dr Mutharika

NO THIRD TERM: Unlike his power hungry predecessor Bakili Muluzi, His Excellency the State President Ngwazi Dr Bingu wa Mutharika says he will not seek a third term of office. Pic by Malawi Digest.

By Chifundo Kasambwe

Malawi President Ngwazi Dr Bingu wa Mutharika has dismissed reports that he intends to seek a third term of office when his Constitutional term of office comes to an end in 2014.

This reaction from the Presidency follows reports by Bakili Muluzi’s funded propaganda tools that have been spreading rumours that the Ngwazi is planning to stay on in power.

In a press statement issued this weekend, the State House in Malawi has denied suggestions that Ngwazi Dr Bingu wa Mutharika would like to extend his time in office once it expires in 2014.

“The State President has no intention at all to extend his time of staying in office,” said the statement.

The State House also assured Malawians that Ngwazi Dr Bingu wa Mutharika has high respect for the country’s Constitution.

“The State President has openly said that he will respect the Malawi Constitution when his time of staying in office is over,” the statement added.

The State House has attributed these reports and rumours to people that do not wish Ngwazi Dr Bingu wa Mutharika well.

“We call upon all Malawians not to listen to these reports as they are only aimed at tarnishing the image of His Excellency the State President Ngwazi Dr Bingu wa Mutharika,” the statement concluded.

Unlike his predecessor, Ngwazi Dr Bingu wa Mutharika has led Malawi by respecting the country’s Constitution.

President Ngwazi Dr Bingu wa Mutharika has ruled Malawi from 2004 and the Malawi Constitution allows Presidents to serve for two 5-year terms of office.

Former president Bakili Muluzi who is funding these propaganda reports on his successor has on three occasions failed to rape the Malawi Constitution by seeking another third term of office.

Between 2000 and 2003, Muluzi twice failed to change the Malawi Constitution to suit his personal wishes for a third term of office.

The two bills to change the country’s Constitution were defeated in the National Assembly.

Following these embarrassing failures, Bakili Muluzi was forced into retirement in 2004.

However, two years later, this power hungry politician resurfaced again to seek another third term of office.

The High Court of Malawi also saved Malawi from Muluzi’s poor administration when it stopped him from contesting in the May 19th polls saying the Malawi Constitution does not allow former presidents to bounce back.

Bakili Muluzi, is currently in the United Kingdom where he is seeking asylum running away from a long list of legal battles ranging from corruption, theft, fraud and huge debts-Malawi Digest.

Atupele sued for MK2M bill ..Muluzi in trouble

By Emmanuel Muwamba
Staff Reporter

A Blantyre-based law firm has sued MP for Machinga North East Atupele Muluzi for allegedly failing to pay over MK2 million legal fees for electoral challenges by his colleagues who lost the May 19 polls.

According to records filed yesterday at the High Court in Blantyre, Atupele, son of former president Bakili Muluzi, on May 22 instructed Kalekeni Kaphale lawyers to file electoral petitions which were later discontinued.

“The plaintiff (Kalekeni Kaphale) commenced work on the matters but discontinued the same upon the defendant’s (Atupele) instructions given verbally on 29th May, 2009. The plaintiff invoiced the defendant for all work done upon his instructions to discontinue the work and the fees were in total of MK2 070 842.50,” reads the statement of claim attached to Writ of Summons in case number 1840 of 2009.

The law firm argues that Atupele has neglected or failed to pay the entire sum of over MK2 million, 30 days after issue of invoice on July 1.

“By reason of the defendant’s failure to pay the plaintiff’s fees, the plaintiff has suffered loss of income,” reads the court record.

The law firm is asking a one percent interest above the commercial bank base lending rate from July 1 to the date of payment. It is also asking Atupele to meet the cost of the court action.

The records indicate that Atupele instructed Kalekeni Kaphale Lawyers to handle petitions of 15 parliamentary aspirants.

They include Ettinor Koloviko (MK241 737), John Chikalimba (MK71 065), Trifonia Dafter (MK71 065), Jeanette Chikoko (MK233 000), Winston Chikalimba (MK71 065), Angela Zachepa (MK198 050), Sunganani Banda (MK272 665), Inna Mezalumo (MK250 475), Bertha Masiku (MK71 065) and Ronard Chanthunya (MK71 065). They were all UDF candidates.

Brown Mpinganjira (MK71 065), who stood as an independent after falling from grace with UDF, is also on the list.

Atupele, according to the records, also instructed the lawyers to file and handle petitions of Esther Mcheka Chilenje (MK73 065) and Kennedy Kachingwe (MK233 000).

In the Writ of Summons, Atupele has been given 14 days to respond by either satisfying the claim or acknowledging to the High Court, within the stated, his intention to contest the claim failing which judgement will be entered against him without further notice-The Nation, Thursday, August 20 2009.

Bakili Muluzi goes into exile in the UK

Former president Bakili Muluzi currently seeking asylum in the UK. He is a man whose past one may not be proud of.

By Lucy Liponda

Former President of the Republic of Malawi Bakili Muluzi has gone into exile in the United Kingdom following a pile of high level cases that may see the former leader spend years in jail, Malawi Digest can reveal.

Muluzi has a chain of court cases running from fraud, corruption, abuse of office and debts among many other problems facing him.

Close family members have spoken of Muluzi’s intention to stay in the United Kingdom in order to get away from being prosecuted.

A close family member told Malawi Digest on Saturday afternoon that chances of Muluzi coming back after his medical attention are very slim.

“When he was going to the UK, he got all his basic things and those of us closer to him have been told he is not coming back to Malawi,” he said.

The family member revealed that had it not been for the Malawi government to stop him earlier from leaving, Muluzi would have disappeared a long time ago to the United Kingdom.

The member added, the latest request for extension of time for his stay in the UK is just part of his delaying tactics so that he finds a proper country to stay.

“He is currently negotiating with the British for asylum but that Queens government is not buying Muluzi’s reasons for asylum,” said our source who last spoke to Muluzi on Wednesday this week.

The member said that in their telephone conversation on the line from the United Kingdom, Muluzi appealed for prayers from family members so that his asylum application is approved.

Our source further disclosed that if the British refuse Muluzi to stay in their country, the former President has already been welcomes to stay in Libya, Morocco, United Arab Emirates and the Taiwan.

“All these countries have said he can go and stay there if he so wishes,” said our source.

The uncovering of these plans for asylum by Muluzi, come only a few days after the former leader applied for an extension of his stay in the United Kingdom.

Previously, Muluzi had told the courts in Malawi that he would stay in the UK for medical attention for a period of three months up until early September.

However in a twist of events, Muluzi through his lawyers Tamando Chokotho and Jai Banda applied to the High Court to have an extension of his stay in England up to December.

In an interview with Malawi Digest on Saturday afternoon an official in the British High Commission in Malawi said so far, the Malawi office has not heard anything on the application for asylum by Muluzi.

“If he is applying for asylum, he must be dealing with the Home Office and once the issue is in motion our office in Malawi will be informed accordingly,” said the British official who did not want to be named.

He said that whilst he appreciates that Muluzi has got a right to apply for asylum like any other individual wanting to stay in the UK, Muluzi is unlikely to be granted the asylum status he is looking for.

“This is a person who is running away from a high level corruption case and several other serious cases, the British government does not grant asylum status to anybody who is running away from prosecution,” said the British official.

Malawi Digest was unable to get a comment from the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) as the numbers for its Director Alex Nampota could not be reached all Saturday afternoon until we went to bed.

Meanwhile, Malawi Digest understands that apart from his son Atupele Muluzi and his wife Patricia Muluzi, the rest of Muluzi’s closest family members especially children are all in the UK with their father.

His son Atupele Muluzi is mature enough and stays on his own whilst Patricia Muluzi was left behind as a proof to the courts that he was not running away.

Fears of Muluzi running away into exile were first disclosed to the Malawi High Court by ACB boss Alex Nampota who said he had come across information that Muluzi was trying to flee the country.

As a result of this development, through a High Court order, the ACB confiscated some of Muluzi’s property including his BCA Hill residence, 44 vehicles and managed to have all his accounts frozen

Muluzi is suspected to have stole MK1.7 billion meant for poor Malawian into his personal accounts.

Muluzi has always said that true these huge sums of money were found in his account but that the money belonged to him-Malawi Digest.

Malawi president puts teachers on check

His Excellency the State President Ngwazi Dr Bingu wa Mutharika cutting a ribbon. Pic by Malawi Digest.

By Emmanuel Sobilika

Malawi State President Ngwazi Dr Bingu wa Mutharika has issued a stern warning to all teachers in Malawi especially those that disregard their work ethics.

Ngwazi Dr Mutharika issued the warning on Friday at Amalika in the southern region tea growing district of Thyolo.

The State President was speaking during the official inauguration ceremony of the international charity, the Development Aid from People to People (DAPP) Amalika Teachers Training College.

In his speech, Ngwazi Dr Mutharika said that he was disappointed with reports of misbehaviour and neglect of duty by some teachers in the country.

The President said the uncalled acts by some teachers in Malawi included immoral behaviour, acts drunkenness and absenteeism.

Ngwazi Dr Mutharika said that he had learnt with shock that some teachers and heads of education institutions were involving themselves in immoral acts by enticing young girls to have sex with them in exchange of better school results and grades.

“Some teachers have ended impregnating girls as young as 13 0r 14 years,” he said.

He wondered if these teachers do understand their role of imparting knowledge to the pupils and students.

Ngwazi Dr Mutharika said that instead of having a lot of girls doing well in their studies, often times the girl child was dropping out of school due to these under aged and unplanned pregnancies.

At this point, the State President had a strong warning for the teachers who lure young into having sex with them saying apart from being prosecuted, they would also be sent to jail.

“I want to warn you that once found, I will have you prosecuted, sent to jail and afterwards lose your job because to have no morals to teach a pupil or a student,” he said.

Ngwazi Dr Mutharika also appealed to parents to open up once they hear that their child has been molested by a teacher in order to bring to an end this uncalled for practice.

“You parents have a responsibility of stopping this misbehaviour by reporting all cases to government and the Police,” he said.

Ngwazi Dr Mutharika also condemned acts of drunkenness and teacher absenteeism in school institutions saying this is bringing down the quality of education in Malawi.

The State President wondered why under-qualified teachers were allowed to teach in classes that are beyond their education qualifications.

“How can a person who has failed Junior Certificate be found teaching in Form Three at a private secondary school? This is most unfortunate for our education system,” he said.

The State President then ordered that school inspection be intensified so that so that under qualified teachers are filtered out.

“The problem is that under qualified teachers give force hopes to a pupil or student that with a certificate in their hands they have good knowledge of what they were learning when in fact they were being cheated,” said the Ngwazi.

President Ngwazi Dr Bingu wa Mutharika also heaped praise on the international charity DAPP on government efforts to improve the standard of education in the country.

He said the teachers that would be graduating from the newly opened college would help reduce the shortage of teachers in the country.

Speaking earlier, Malawi’s Education Minister Dr George Chaponda said that there was need for other non-governmental organisations to help government in the improvement of the country’s education standards.

He recognised all efforts by organisations in establishing private colleges in order to help in the advancement of education in the country.

This is the second teacher training college opened by DAPP in Malawi.

The first one was opened in Chilangoma on the outskirts of the commercial city Blantyre.

The newly opened college was built with funds from the United States government and American Ambassador to Malawi Peter Bodde also spoke at the function.

According Maria Darsbo chairperson for Humana People to People, DAPP has identified land in the central region district of Dowa where another teacher training college construction will kick off shortly-Malawi Digest.

Ngwazi spits fire on Malawian products

Ngwazi Dr Bingu wa Mutharika having an impression of some of the products at this year's agricultural fair. Pic by Malawi Digest.

By Lucy Liponda

Malawi President Ngwazi Dr Bingu wa Mutharika has appealed to Malawians from all walks of life to promote the buying of locally produced products if the country is to continue transforming economically.

Ngwazi Dr Mutharika, was speaking at the Chichiri International Trade Fair Grounds in the commercial city, Blantyre on Thursday when he officially opened this year’s 6th Agricultural Trade Fair.

Speaking to the huge crowd that came to witness the opening of the fair, Ngwazi Dr Bingu wa Mutharika did not mince words on his disappointment.

“Am disappointed that whilst we are trying to change Malawi’s economy from a predominantly importing country to an exporting one, we are not doing enough to promote the buying of our locally produced products,” he said to the ululation and applause of the huge crowd.

The State President therefore had a directive to all government agencies in the country.

“I would like to advise and instruct government agencies that from today onwards, let’s us patronise locally produced products,” he said.

The President ordered other among many other products, from Thursday the country should not import treadle pumps that used in irrigation farming.

He said that local companies had shown that they can deliver best products.

“I don’t care if people will call this protectionism. The Americans, the British, the French, the Chinese, the Germans and many others protect their products, why not Malawi?” he said to the ululation of the mammoth crowd.

He said there was need to change the mind set of the people.

“We are not going anywhere unless we change our mind set on locally produced products,” he said.

Whilst he was promoting the buying of local products, he appealed to the local manufactures to also improve on their products.

“I don’t want to open a jar of locally produced honey only to see the honey mixed with feathers,” he warned.

On the Agriculture Trade Fair, Ngwazi Dr Bingu wa Mutharika appealed to the local farmers to march with time.

“There is need for our farmers to be innovative and adapt with modern technologies of farming,” he said.

At this point, Ngwazi Dr Bingu wa Mutharika attacked the exploitation of local farmers through unfair prices by buyers of crops like tobacco and cotton among many other crops.

“I appeal to you buyers to feed the farmer that is giving the product because what you are doing is killing the goose that is laying the golden egg,” he said.

President Bingu wa Mutharika said that he is going to get at all foreign companies that are exploiting local farmers through unfair prices.

“This cheating is not good and very soon, I will get at you,” he said.

He warned if these organisations are not ready to change they will face his wrath.

“You are within my range and if I want to shoot I don’t miss,” warned Mutharika.

Earlier, Ngwazi Dr Bingu wa Mutharika visited pavilions for the participants at this year’s agricultural fair where the President said he was moved by what he saw.

The Agricultural Trade Fair has become an annual event for Malawi and the three day event is the 6th to take place in Malawi.

This year’s theme, the role of agriculture in economic development-Malawi Digest.

Pro Mutharika applauds female MPs

Malawi's Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Professor Peter Mutharika MP.

By Lucy Liponda

Malawi’s Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Professor Peter Mutharika has applauded the important role that women play in our daily lives.

Professor Mutharika was speaking on Thursday at the Malawi Sun Hotel in the commercial city Blantyre, when he opened a training workshop for female Members of Parliament on Parliamentary Procedures organised by the National Women’s Lobby Group (NAWOLG).

In his speech, Professor Mutharika said that he appreciates the good job that women Parliamentarians play in the enhancement of Malawi’s democracy.

Professor Mutharika said that apart from being wives and mothers in their families, women MPs are an important part of the country’s National Assembly.

He said the training workshop on Parliamentary procedures would help the female MPs to clearly understand their job.

“For you to be effective parliamentarians, you must clearly understand the functions of the legislature and you must learn the rules of the game- both the written and unwritten codes, procedures and mechanisms oh how to get things done in Parliament,” said Professor Mutharika who is also a highly qualified lawyer not only in Malawi but beyond the borders as well.

Professor Mutharika said therefore applauded NAWOLG for organising the training meeting which he said would help fill in the gaps left during the orientation workshop organised for all MPs by the National Assembly in June.

“After learning the rules at this workshop, you can seize opportunities to participate on key committees and positions and you can also make yourselves heard in discussions and debates and fully utilise your skills and abilities. Your experiences in a variety of Parliamentary roles will build up political capital which can be used to secure further advancement, to help change existing rules and structures and to assist new generations of women politicians,” he said to a round of applause of the female MPs.

The Executive Director for NAWOLG, Faustus Chirwa said during her remarks that she was very humbled to have Justice Minister Professor Mutharika opening the training workshop.

Chirwa said that the presence of Professor Mutharika at the meeting showed that the Bingu wa Mutharika led government was putting issues of women amongst its priority areas.

According to Professor Mutharika the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs ensures that the country is governed under the prescribed existing laws and that justice is administered and delivered fairly without fear, favour or discrimination at all levels in Malawi-Malawi Digest.