The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has expressed disappointment at the low turn-out of Members of Parliament at ward demarcation hearings across the country.

Commissioner, Gloria Chingota made the sentiments during a ward demarcation public hearing for Blantyre City on Tuesday at the Civic Centre.

“We wonder if MPs are concerned over how their constituencies are divided into wards because this is about the development of their areas,” said Chingota who asked political party representatives to convey her disappointment to their respective parties.

She said the absence of an MP at the Blantyre City was similar to most of the districts they had been to.

Part of audience during MEC ward demarcation public hearing at Blantyre City Council Chamber

“Where parliamentarians turned up, it was only one person. For instance, there was one MP in Chikhwawa and Blantyre District Council while in Neno they just sent representatives,” said the Commissioner.

Chingota also disclosed that registration of voters for the 2014 tripartite elections would start in June this year and that every voter will be required to register afresh.

“Because these are tripartite elections, people will have to register afresh. Everybody should register where they will vote for a councilor and not at constituency level to avoid confusion,” said Chingota.

While all the names and maps for the wards were approved by the stakeholders, the meeting came to a standstill over the name Nancholi for a ward which is at Green Corner in Blantyre.

The meeting resolved that stakeholders will have to meet later to further discuss and come up with an appropriate name.

People’s Progressive Movement (PPM) president Mark Katsonga has called for the opposition to provide strong checks and balances to President Joyce Banda’s Peoples Party (PP) governance of the country.

He was speaking at Nselema primary school in Machinga when he welcomed about 200 people in who have joined PPM after dumping the ruling PP.

Katsonga said he believed that there was a leadership crisis in the country hence people were dumping PP and appealed to people to align themselves with the PPM as it was the party that would address the many challenges facing the country.

Former PP Machinga North East Secretary Justin Anyezi confirmed that he alongside other colleagues have left the ruling party because of its bad polices.

Katsonga: PPM presidenr will be on ballot in the 2014 presidential race

“PP policies are not pro poor,” said Anyezi.

“We have defected because of the greediness in PP,” said another defector Alice Austin.

Ironically, sources say Katsonga is planning to have an alliance with PP.

But Katsonga said his tiny party PPM will field a presidential candidate in 2014 tripartite elections.

PPM supporters chanting for Katsonga

PPM supporters welcome Katsonga

Anyezi:Dumps PP for PPM

Alice Austin: I have quit PP to join PPM

Malawi’s ruling People’s Party on Wednesday received a boost when its UK Wing presented a brand new 56-seater coach to the party through President Joyce Banda.

The donation was made possible through PP supporters in UK led by Lutamyo Mtawali.

The bus was presented to President Banda by PP’s UK Wing interim chairman, Hannington Gondwe at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe.

President Banda thanked the PP UK wing for the donation.

“This should save as a lesson to the orange partners in country, I know some of you are working hard in assisting the needy but I will be more than happy if I hear you telling me that we want to go to Mulanje to assist our friends who were affected by floods,” said Banda.

Maneno Mtawali presenting the bus keys ti President Banda

President Joyce Banda coming out of the Coach after admiring it – pic by Lisa Vintulla

Many people and some medical doctors think circumcision removes and damages nothing more than a little extra skin. This is because they don’t know how the intact (uncircumcised) penile shaft functions. The truth is that circumcision removes and damages several critical components of male sexual anatomy which gives more chances to HIV virus transmission.

Remember that when a penis is just circumcised there is a wound developed and when it gets healed it becomes a scar on a very sensitive part of a penis for the rest one’s life.

THE PURPOSE AND FUNCTION OF THE FORESKIN

Sensitivity: The foreskin is a highly nerve-laden structure, containing nerve endings. It is this structure that gives the man his most pleasurable sensations. It also helps to retain penile shaft sensitivity. This is why during romance a woman holds the penile shaft and glides it up and down and immediately you will see it is at noon.  Circumcision removes this structure and over time sensitivity decreases, making it more difficult to achieve satisfactory stimulation. A question would be: “Is it easy for this person to put on a condom which also reduces sensitivity?” The answer is NO!

Circumcision

Protection: The foreskin protects the sensitive penile shaft throughout life from adverse conditions, such as the abrasiveness of clothing friction, soap, heat, sun etc. Without the foreskin, the penile shaft becomes dry, dark, calloused and desensitized. Shaaa!!

The unnatural dryness of the circumcised penile shaft and head causes some men and their partners pain, abrasion, and bleeding during sex. Breaks in the skin are an effective way to transmit and contract sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. Where is one’s safety of not transmitting and contacting HIV if circumcised? Men and especially women are 100% at risk of getting HIV. Very bad! If our women can easily get the HIV virus, how can they achieve uchembere wabwino which is an emphasis by our dear mother her Excellency Madam President. Let us together help her in achieving uchembere wabwino in our beloved country.

Pleasure: The anatomy of foreskin and sex is very unique. That is why God created it – “Msiyeni Mulungu akhale Mulungu”. The foreskin enhances sexual pleasure, especially as it glides over the corona (ridge of the glans) during sexual activity.

Privacy: Like the female clitoris, the gland is designed to be a protected internal organ, exposed only when aroused for compatibility.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING SEXUAL INTERCOURSE

The man or woman guides the penis into the vagina. The couple then moves their bodies so that the foreskin moves up and down inside the vagina. This usually rubs the penis and makes the man sexually excited so that he continues to have an orgasm. The foreskin movement also rubs the woman’s clitoris and sensitive areas inside walls of her vagina so she can also continue to have an orgasm. This is why the penile shaft or the head has got a ridge. When a woman sits on a man, the woman pushes herself down to open, glide and rubs the foreskin which makes both of them sexually excited to have an orgasm. The penile ridge acts as a lock nut which also enhances sexual pleasure for both partners, and when the corona (ridge) becomes dry, both partners are in danger of pain, abrasion, and bleeding during sex. The foreskin is very critical as far as sex is concerned.

Lubrication: Much as the way the eyelid lubricates and protects eyes, the foreskin keeps the glands moist and sensitive. This effect is helpful during sexual penetration as the penile shaft glides within its own skin sheath rather than directly, chafing one’s partner. Without the foreskin, many couples need additional lubricants. During fore play, both a man and a woman produce water like fluid. A man produces semen which acts as grease to the head and the foreskin ready for penetration. When this foreskin is removed, the semen falls down or dries out and if the man insist to penetrate before the woman gets wet which is very likely in most cases (man kupupuluma) then pain, abrasion, and bleeding occur. Remember that in most cases a circumcised man takes time to release the sperms due to low sensitivity caused by the damages. When the woman gets sexual satisfaction before the man, she gets dry inside her. However, the man insist to make sure he finishes too,(man samaimva) this also brings danger of pain, abrasion, and bleeding putting both of them especially the woman to high risk of getting HIV virus. Where is our safety then? Circumcision is not a way of preventing HIV virus.

HYGIENE

Some people say that a circumcised penis is hygienic. This is not true. We do not achieve hygiene by removing some parts of the body. Do you know that if you don’t open your mouth for some time, the moment you open it bad smell comes out? Should we cut off our lips to allow air and the sun to dry up our teeth and the tongue to avoid the growth of bacteria and bad smell? NO! Tooth pest and tooth brush work for us. Think of the buttocks and the arm pit.

Women produce much more “smegma”, all kinds of discharges, wetness, and smells; because of physiologic and anatomical reasons. How would women feel if they cut their vulva lips??? Women are more likely to get urinary tract infections and no one suggests we surgically alter them at birth to reduce the risks. Do Medical Doctors mean that the only remedy for man’s hygiene is circumcision? Where is soap and water? By the way, how much do you charge to remove the foreskin and how much money do you make per day? But money! Guys lets wise up!

Length and Circumference
Circumcision removes some of the length and girth of the penis – its double-layered wrapping of loose and usually overhanging foreskin is removed. A circumcised penis is truncated and thinner than it would have been if left intact. So guys if you want your man to still look bigger don’t go for circumcision. You may end up looking like a baby!

Circumcision is simply the removal of a foreskin and not the extra skin. There is no extra skin on the human body.

LET’S REASON TOGETHER HERE

Why is it that those Districts with almost 90% circumcision rate in Malawi complain of the high rate of HIV/AIDS cases? They don’t use condoms!!! BUT WHY? Unsatisfaction is the answer! They want to be satisfied!

*Chifundo M Matabwa

Malawian citizens detained at the Lindela Repatriation Centre near Krugersdorp, South Africa for illegally staying in the country are pleading with their government to help them come home.

One Malawian awaiting his deportation at Lindela Camp spoke on Zodiak Broadcasting Corporation, saying their living dangerously and urged the Malawi Embassy in South Africa to come to the rescue of their citizens

“We are starving and many Malawians are dying because of lack of medical assistance,” he said. “We have been seeking help from Malawi embassy but to no response.”

Many Malawians held at the repatriation centre have claimed they have failed to get any assistance from the embassy based in Pretoria.

Awaiting deportation from Lindela

He said there are about 1,800 Malawians at Lindale waiting to be ferried home.

Many deported asylum seekers had been reported missing by their families. It was not easy to prove the allegations.

One man who was deported to Malawi and came through Lindela said the situation is terrible and the “concentration” camp is overcrowded, calling it a “death trap.”

The Lindela Detention Centre has in the past been strongly criticized for abuse of detainees. Pressure groups have raised serious concerns about human rights violations.

Young Malawians trek to South Africa, the continent’s economic giant, in search for greener pastures.

Police in Mzuzu have arrested a Clinical Officer at Mzuzu Central Hospital on charges that he sexually assaulted a patient Tuesday morning in the consultation room after he sedated her on the pretext that he was giving her medicine for her ailment.

Mzuzu Police Station Public Relations Officer Maurice Chapola in a statement released on Wednesday confirmed the arrest of the Clinician, Hope Chipwatali 36, Chimbia Village Traditional Authority Kaphuka in Dedza District saying he took advantage of the patient’s mental illness and raped her.

Hospital sources told Nyasa Times that the patient has since been put on Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) because the Clinician is already on life-prolonging antiretroviral (ARV) drugs.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) PEP is short-term antiretroviral treatment given within 72 hours to reduce the likelihood of HIV infection after potential exposure, either occupationally or through sexual intercourse.

Woman patient abused by health worker

Sources told Nyasa Times that Chapwatali gave the patient a sedative drug called Diazepam, which acts fast if given in the veins (IV) rather than Inter Muscularly (IM) or orally.

Police have since charged Chapwatali with the offence of ‘Defilement of an Imbecile’ contrary to section 139 of the penal code and attracts a maximum sentence of imprisonment for 14 year.

Hospital records indicate that the victim [name shielded]was brought to the Referral Hospital on 20th January 2013 because of mental health problems following a prolonged altercation with her husband in South Africa.

“The duty nurse Jean Vinkhumbo picked [the victim] to the treatment/consultation room where she left her with the suspect and went out of the room for other commitments.

“But after a prolonged stay outside the consultation room, the duty nurse thought of checking the patient and she abruptly entered the examination room using the other door which Chapwatali forgot to lock, only to discover that Chapwatali was busy pumping an unconscious patient,” Chapola said.

He said Vinkhumbo got shocked and reported what she saw to her superiors but when the group rushed to the room to verify, Chapwatali had already dispatched the unconscious patient for admission at the Female medical Ward.

Nyasa T imes sources said hospital authorities did not confront Chapwatali but ordered tests to verify the sexual assault.

“The results found evidence of forced penetration and traces of semen. But knowing that Chapwatali was on ART, then informed  the patient relatives that she was to be pit on PEP immediately and they later informed the Police of what had happened,” our source said.

This is not the first time for Chipwatali  to be involved in abusing patients. In 2005,  while working as a clinician at Blantyre’s main Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, was caught with his private parts exposed, while attending to a female patient whom he had anaesthetised.

Another female patient also complained that she was raped by a medical worker while she was under anaesthesia.  During a parade of suspects, the patient identified Chipwatali as the offender and some nurses corroborated her story.

The case was referred to the Medical Council of Malawi but he was acquitted on technical grounds.

Chipwatali was, however, severely reprimanded with recommendations that he be moved to another department of the same hospital.

There is no specific HIV and AIDS legislation in Malawi as the current laws cut across civil, criminal and constitutional laws.

But lhe Law Commission’s report proposes criminalizing the intentional and negligent (or reckless) transmission of HIV to another person.

“Any person who deliberately infects another person with HIV shall be guilty of any offence and shall be liable to imprisonment for 14 years,” the report said.

Speaker of Parliament Henry Chimunthu-Banda says there is no indication that he will tackle the issue of anti-defection law Section 65 of the Malawi Constitution during the February parliamentary sitting as demanded by the opposition political parties and Public Affairs Committee (PAC) despite many Members of Parliament (MPs) crossing the floor.

During the last sitting the opposition political parties were pushing the speaker to make a ruling on the constitutional provision which bars members of parliament (MPs) to join another political party which is represented in the national assembly.

But the battle stopped just before the Speaker was about to rule on the matter after one of the MPs who are deemed to have crossed the floor, Chikumbutso John Hiwa obtained a court injunction at the Lilongwe High Court restraining the Speaker to act on the matter. The opposition political parties tried in vain to vacate the injunction.

Speaker Chimunthu Banda: Cited injuctions as impediment:

Banda says it will be impossible for him to act this time around because the issue is in court.

“The issue of Section 65 at this point in time is at the court and therefore until the court processes are over we may not have these issues back in the house. It is now been handled by the attorney general’s office,” says Chimunthu-Banda.

However the major opposition political parties in the national assembly have vowed that they will do everything possible to ensure that the speaker has made a ruling on the section 65. This comes few days after the representative of the public affairs committee met the speaker of the parliament where they asked him to act on section 65.

Spokesperson for the opposition Democratic Progress party Nicholas Dausi whose party lost about 90 MPs to the ruling People’s Party says it’s high time the Speaker should implement the legislation.

“I strongly believe that during the forthcoming parliament the speaker will rule that those MPs who crossed the floors should return to their parties because this is what Malawi constitution says,” said Dausi.

Malawi Congress Party, which also lost a number of its legislatures to government benches, says it is illogical for the government to ignore Sections 65 and maintained that the party is waiting for the action of the Speaker on the matter.

But People’s Party officials have declined to comment on the issue arguing cannot not do so on the issues that is in court.

Self-acclaimed untouchable Chief Executive Officer for Blantyre City Council (BCC), Emmanuel Ted Nandolo, continues with his boundless plundering and destruction of the council’s assets as authorities deliberately keep on giving a blind eye.

Since his arrival at BCC from Council for Non Government Organisations (CONGOMA), three years ago, Nandolo has been absorbed in massive asset stripping of the council’s resources alongside his accomplice, Alfred Chanza, the Director of Administration.

Several comprehensible cases involving Nandolo and Chanza, some of which are in the folders of the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB), the Ministries of Finance (Treasury) and Local Government, have been exposed by the media.

Among others, the major cases include unexplained K40 million plus for the Local Development Fund, illegal selling of plots, offering of contracts to friends and relatives without following procedures, employing relatives and friends in positions that can only be mandated by the Local Government Service Commission.

The restaurant under renovation.

The bar section under rehabilitation

A new structure being constructed.

A renovated toilet- Photos by Felie Mzumara, Nyasa Times

Nandolo: Accused of abuse of office

He is also accused of  siphoning of millions of kwacha through dubious allowances –an issue that got the Lilongwe City Council Chief Executive Officer Kelvin Mmangisa arrested in July last year and is currently answering to corruption charges.

But in a latest incident, Nyasa Times can reveal that the BCC boss has illegally given the council’s buildings to a business lady, who is his wife’s relation, to operate a restaurant and a beer nightclub.

The structures are located right inside the city council ‘s Mandala Plantation area opposite the College of Medicine.

Mandala Nursery Plantation is a place where the city council breeds flowers, fruits and other trees for sale and decorations during public functions.

The lady whom we have only managed to establish her first name, Catherine, is currently finalising refurbishment of the structures to fit her taste of the business.

Nyasa Times this week uncovered some sad stories about how the nursery plantation has been ‘hijacked’ by Nandolo’s relative.

According to the council’s gardeners Nyasa Times found at the site, the place (given to Catherine) has for several years been used as a manure shelter until November last year when they (gardeners) were ordered to remove all the manure and stop operating the place as such.

“We were ordered by Mr. Mitini Nkhoma, who is the Director of Parks, Environment and Leisure to remove all the manure and transfer them to a different place.

“A few days later we saw our Chief Executive Officer, the director himself and unknown young lady inspecting the place and the structures around.

“After that they used to come almost every day for about a week before we saw the lady bringing building materials and workforce,” explained one gardener whose name we have shielded for security reasons.”

The gardener also revealed that other than the manure shelter, an office belonging to a zone inspector for the council has also being given to the woman.

“Our foreman has also been vacated from his office which has now been turned into stores office for the business lady while another officer has been transferred to Limbe just to pave way for more space for the lady,” he continued.

Worsening the situation, Nyasa Times can also make public that the council, which is failing to collect garbage in the city’s locations because of resources, is even providing security 24 hours to protect materials used by the lady in the refurbishment of the buildings.

The guards are outsourced by various security guard firms within Blantyre and each month BCC pays out over K3 million to the companies for all security services provided to the council’s various places.

“The business lady is receiving VIP treatment one cannot imagine,” said another while shaking his head.

However, Nyasa Times crew was stunned upon learning that the business lady has also seized all the toilets at the nursery plantation that council workers are now being forced to relieve themselves within the plantation’s flowering shrub.

“We were barred from using the toilets and the shrubs over there have now turned into our toilet, it’s really pathetic and there is no rationale to continue working at this place,” said the free-speaking gardener.

Nyasa Times confirmed the claims and further found out that the toilets have been demarcated to two- the other side is for high profile customers while the other has been reserved for non-graded ones, according to a builder working on the site.

In another interview, an officer at the council’s Town Planning Department at the civic centre, revealed that no change of ownership of the place or land use had gone through the department for approval, as such, the business and the new building were illegal and subject to demolition.

“When we got the news we went there to inspect and we discovered that whatever was happening at the site was all illegal. We planned for demolition and the necessary sections [enforcement and security] were advised accordingly but the operation cannot be carried out because our chief executive is involved and none would want to be seen as if he or she is against him,” he explained.

But the officer confided in Nyasa Times that the chief executive is planning to eventually sell part of the yard to the business lady.

“We have classified information to the effect that plans are already underway to subdivide the land and eventually sell the lady the part she has already been given before the contract for the chief executive expires next year,” he revealed.

He said his colleagues from the commercial department disclosed to him that initially Catherine wrote the chief executive applying for a space to run her restaurant elsewhere.

But instead the CEO ordered the Director of Commerce, Dennis Chimseu, to give her a place within the nursery plantation campus.

“The nursery plantation is a restricted place because there are council’s offices and nursery and by all means the place cannot be let out. Actually, it has never happened in the history of BCC,” he observed.

Nandolo and Chanza are also behind the letting out of three toilets at Blantyre market to a business man who runs private toilet and shower business.

However, the man only pays to the council a meager K10 000 per month yet BCC is also responsible for paying all the utilities (electricity, water, security, cleaning of the toilets) spending over K30 000 every month for the let out place.

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) spokesman Nicholous Dausi has apologised for the part’s past mistakes during its time in government.

The party has since regreted its grave sins which include the economic mess, human rights violations, threatsto close down newspapers, banning government advertising in some media outlets and passing repressive laws.

”We may have made mistakes here and there that are regrettable,” Dausi told Nyasa Times.

“We had governance challenges that made people lose trust in us. We won’t repeat those. We have to accept our mistakes, acknowledge and correct,” he added.

Dausi: Regrets DPP past sins

Dausi said DPP was currently on rebranding process inorder to be in line with the will of the people.

”Just like what the scripture says, repent and be a changed one, we have worked out our shortfalls and ensure that we dont make similar mistakes again once we are back in government,” he added.

DPP was relegated to opposition in April 2012 when controversial president late Bingu wa Mutharika died in office and Joyce Banda, who was vice president and formed her Peopls Party after being expelled from DPP, took over power.

At Mutharika’s funeral in Thyolo, the then DPP secretary general Wakuda Kamanga (now joined PP) issued the first apology.

Then in July 2012, party president Peter Mutharika sought peace with Malawians over DPP errors.

During another rally in Mzuzu, he said the party was sorry for the 20 July killings. This was a departure from his brother who said the victims were looters under Satan’s guidance.

However, Malawians demanded DPP to explain the evils the party committed when in power and make an honest apology to earn the nation’s forgiveness, according to a survey a leading newspaper carried.

Nation on Sunday said 66 percent of the respondents  to its survey rejected the party’s apologies as insincere, only meant to seek votes and sympathy from Malawians now that the party has found itself in opposition.

But Dausi said respondents in the survey may have been people with “pathological personal grudges with DPP or personalities therein.”

Dausi insisted that the party was serious in its apologies.

“We were not only serious but also concerned. It’s only proper to acknowledge that mistakes were made and move forward. I don’t think Malawians can be so hard-hearted as not to accept an apology and yet claim to be a Christian nation,” said Dausi.

Regional Conferences

Meanwhile, Dausi said the party is conducting pre-convention consultative meetings dubed ‘Regional Conferences’ to solicit input on its constitution and manifestos. The party has already been in southern and eastern regions.

”On Thursday we will be in central region before moving to the north on Friday. Mainly we want to have people’s inputs on what we should incorporate in our manifesto and amended constitution as well as what they expect us to do once in power. ”

Their suggestions will be adopted and incorporated for final approval at the convention in April.

DPP is expected to hold its three-day convention in April in Lilongwe to elect its executive committee and the 2014 presidential candidate.

By Evince Chisiano, Malawi News Agency

Police in Liwonde, Machinga have confirmed the missing of standard four twin brothers aged 15 who were last seen on January 8 this year.

Police Publicist for Liwonde, Constable Martin Tione identified the two brothers as Bashil and Heshen Elias who were last seen at their home, Mtuwambuzi within Liwonde Township.

Their mother, Halima Elias, 34 said she had inquired from her son’s school friends at Naungu primary school apart from looking outside the township, an effort that has yielded nothing.

Meanwhile, Police in the district have intensified the search for the boys and have since appealed for assistance from the public.

State House says President Joyce Banda leaves  Malawi for Ethiopia on Friday  to attend the 20th African Union (AU)summit, her first since she rose to power last April and will proceed t0 South Korea.

Both trips are funded by AU and South Korea.

President Banda pulled out of hosting the bloc’s last summit over Sudanese leader Omar al-Bashir’s intention to attend. She subsequently did not attend the meeting after it was moved to Addis Ababa.

This year’s heads of state summit is on January 27-28 in the Ethiopian capital, which is the seat of the AU.

State House Press Officer Tusekele Mwanyongo said the African leaders are expected to tackle a host of issues facing the continent.

President Banda: Off to Addis Ababa, South Korea

These include how Africa can harness its resources to combat AIDS/HIV epidemic; malaria; political issues such as undemocratic regimes; economic issues such as improving the standard of living of millions of its people; mediating in the many civil wars.

Commenting on the Summit, President Banda said: “Most of these are issues that are also at the heart of my agenda, within the framework of the economic reforms my government and I are implementing.

“In addition, Malawi’s problems are Africa’s problems and vice versa. The summit therefore provides leaders the opportunity to share experiences, lessons and best practices in tackling their common challenges.”

Mwanyongo also confirmed that  from Ethiopia, Her President  Banda will go to South Korea where she will address the Global Development Summit.

The Global Summit will, among other things, discuss ways of how to end the global cycle of poverty.

In addition, President Banda will hold a bilateral meeting with the President of South Korea and hold talks with South Korean potential investors.

The Global Development Summit–Ending the Cycle of Poverty and Exclusion for People with Intellectual Disabilities–will serve as the first time the international development community, together with a cross-sector representation, will address these issues openly and work to identify solutions to implement.

Malawi High Commissioner to United Kingdom (UK), Bernard Sande met youngsters in Scotland’s  Glasgow city during an official visit  in  readiness of President Joyce Banda’s visit in March to lead 200^th Dr David  Livingstone anniversary commemoration

Livingstone a Scottish was the explorer, missionary, writer, medic and anti-slavery campaigner in Malawi who travelled to other parts of Africa.

Sande, who was joined by Mufwa Munthali, trade counsellor of the Malawi High Commission, and Dr Peter West, the Hon Consul for Malawi in Scotland visited Hutchesons’ Grammar School on the South Side.

According to the Glasgow Evening Times, during his visit the diplomat took a tour of the school, which has strong educational and fundraising links with his country.

High Commissioner for Malawi praises pupil power at Hutchesons school in Glasgow

Sande paused for a quick chat with a pupil action group for global equality and fairness (the J8 Group) who gave him a petition of over 900 names asking the government of Malawi to increase access to education.

Pupils Eilidh Naismith and Billy Davidson travelled to Malawi with ActionAid last year as Young Ambassadors for the Global Campaign for Education.

And in 2012, Hutchesons’ raised £30,000 for Glasgow charity Mary’s Meals, which funds school-based feeding programmess in Malawi.

Sande took time to speak with a pupil action group for global equality and fairness, who gave him a petition of more than 900 names asking the government of Malawi to increase access to education.

The Malawi envoy said he was delighted with the children’s commitment and agreed to present their petition to President Banda, the paper reported.

He  joked that he would be returning to the school next year to see what else they had achieved.

Geography teacher Calvin Clarke said: “The High Commissioner shares our view of the paramount importance of education.”

By Flavour Mazinga, Nyasa Times

A prisoner serving a 1 year and  6 months sentence.  Simeone Theu is battling for his life at Rumphi district hospital after a prison warder hit him in the private parts and got them severely injured.

Theu collapsed evening hours of Wednesday after a prison warder identified as Sergeant Limbani Banda beat him in the private parts with no apparent reason. Banda has been left scot-free while the inmate battle for his life.

Rumphi prison officer in-charge Osbert Nyondo confirmed the incident, saying the matter is currently being investigated.

However, one of the prison warders at the institution who sought for anonymity said the inmate who was convicted for stealing a bicycle was beaten in the private parts with a military boot.

Rumphi Prison OC Osbert Nyondo: Confirmed

The source said the inmate fainted for 30 miniutes before he was rushed to Rumphi district hospital.

“The Officer in Charge and other prison wardens were in a meeting when the incident happened. Infact our colleague was attending to the prisoners when he came in and told the O/C that an inmate had collapsed,” said the source.

Rumphi district hospital public relations officer, Lovemore Kawayi confirmed the incident and said the inmate has been admitted at the medical ward at the hospital.

Kawayi said the victim is passing urine mixed with blood and said the situation has the potential to cause infertility or urinary failure.

However, Rumphi police officer in charge senior assistant commissioner of police (SACP) Duncan Mwapasa expressed ignorance over the matter but was quick to point out that police will investigate the matter and ensure the culprit is brought before the law.

The incident comes barely a month after another prison warder Julius Kaonga from the same institution unlawfully wounded an inmate with a machete on the head.

The case was held before the Rumphi magistrate court but matter was withdrawn by the victim in court after he was allegedly bribed by the prison warder.

By Jeromy Kadewere, Nyasa Times

Relegation threatened ESCOM United Coach Alex Masanjala has said their fight to escape demotion from the elite 15-team TNM Super League is not yet over and will approach their five remaining games with great caution.

The struggling electricians travel to Lilongwe this weekend to face defending champions and hottest title contenders, Silver Strikers, at their backyard, Silver Stadium in the “relegation dogfight”.

The bankers are currently at the summit of the table with 48 points from 23 games and, on paper, they have what appears to be an easy fixture against a second from bottom team that has accumulated only 19 points from 23 games.

But Masanjala insists despite being stuck in the relegation zone they will not be under any pressure as they face their biggest test of character over the weekend.

Escom coach Masanjala and his backtroom staff: Relegation dogfight

Escom players: Need to fight relegation

The veteran tactician vowed that his charges, who will be without their inspirational striker Chiukepo Msowoya who has gone for trials in Mozambique, will approach the game with great caution.

“We are stuck in the danger zone but our eyes are now firmly set to fight for relegation,” said Masanjala who took over the already sinking boat a few weeks ago with an attempt to rescue it.

Last weekend, the electricians received baptism of fire at the Kamuzu Stadium from Big Bullets FC who walloped them by five goals to one.

On the other hand, the bankers head coach Franco Ndawa has said they are not underrating ESCOM and will go full throttle on Saturday.

Said Ndawa: “There is  a lot of expectation and we have advised the boys to exercise caution because this will be the most important match in our ambition to defend the title.”

However, the former Mighty Wanderers and Red Lions trainer urged the officiating team to apply professionalism in their handling of the game.

“We are just hoping that the officiating personnel will take a firm line and handle this game professionally,” he said.

While observing that the chase for the title has reached a nerve shredding stage, the other two title favourites Blantyre United and Big Bullets stressed that they cannot afford to slip as that would prove fatal to them.

Just like the bankers, Bullets aka the Peoples Team and United fondly known by their fans as Mphembedzu, the reality of clinching the championship seems so near yet so far.

Silver dislodged Blantyre United from the summit last weekend after collecting four points from their northern region outing.

Third-placed Bullets, who are also eyeing the big prize after several years in the wilderness, will host Moyale Barracks on Sunday at Kamuzu Stadium.

The Mzuzu solders have gone eight games without a loss while Bullets are yet to taste a defeat at Kamuzu Stadium since it was re-opened.

Bullets coach Edington Ng’onamo said they were eying nothing less than three points as they face the soldiers of Kaning’ina.

“We are fully geared to collect three points because any victory against Moyale will put us on a better side to win the title,” he said.

He, however, conceded that the going will be tough since there are three teams remaining as hot contenders.

Another fierce battle over the weekend will involve Mighty Wanderers who are hoping to breathe a new life in their faltering campaign when they clash Azam Tigers on Saturday.

The Nomads, who are on fifth position on the table with 39 points from 24 games, are aware that any slip up will give chance to Moyale to overtake them if they succeed to collect maximum points against Red Lions on Saturday and Bullets the following day.

Wanderers’ highly respected coach Felix Fosco promised the Nomads family that they will fight tooth and nail in order to amass three points.

“We are aware that it will be a difficult game, but l can promise our fans that we will do all we can to win against Tigers, “he said.

But Tigers mentor Leo Mpulula had few words on the game on describing it as “one of the important matches to us.”

• Prize for Women’s Creativity in Rural Life http://www.woman.ch/index.php?page=nomination-guidelines&hl=en_US

• Masters/PhD in Public Health, Finland http://www.tephinet.org/announcement/call-applications-international-postgraduate-program-epidemiology-and-public-health-ipp

•  World Youth Fellows Program http://wymdonline.org/Hurford%20Fellowship/HYF2013.html

•  Defenders Internship at the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/achpr

• Research Award to promote the internationalisation of the humanities and social sciences in Germany http://www.humboldt-foundation.de/web/anneliese-maier-award.html

• Global Development Awards and Medals Competition http://www.gdn.int/html/page2.php?MID=3&SID=24&SSID=70&SCID=32&SSCID=64

• Fellowships to Promote Mental Health Journalism http://www.cartercenter.org/health/mental_health/fellowships/apply.html#eligibility

• Masters Programme “Labour Policies and Globalisation”, Germany http://www.global-labour-university.org/74.html

• Funding for Science and Technology courses at UNIMA? http://www.ansti.org/index.php/post-graduate-fellowships

• The Desmond Tutu Master’s Scholarship http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/student-funding/postgraduate/international/humanities/divinity/tutu

Feedback: Loraine@helpforafricanstudents.org

By Kimpho Loka, Nyasa Times

The journey that started with 26 contestants, all aiming for the golden bag that holds the ultimate prize which is K0.5 million, ends on Saturday night with three finalists.

The competition is E-Wallet Talent Show, the setting is Sunbird Mount Soche hotel and the city is Blantyre, with Wakhumbachi Kalua, Guise Pemba and Tawonga Kanthungo as the last contestants in the race.

The million dollar, or maybe half million kwacha question is, who will carry the night come Saturday? Will Wakhumbachi make sure that the fun remains in Blantyre or will either Guise or Tawonga leave the commercial city in tears and cart the excitement to the capital Lilongwe?

“Each of the finalists is so thrilled to be in the finals and every one of them is so determined to win,” explained the competition chairman Felix Njawala in an interview with Nyasa Times.

Njawala: It grand finale for E-wallet

“All is set and the guys are done with the recordings of their first single, which will be released after the finale,” he said further.

Speaking to Nyasa Times in separate interviews, the finalists could not hide their bliss to be at the finals and become the stars shining on the local and probably the international music scene.

“I see myself as an R&B/Soul star in the making,” said Wakhumbachi. She told Nyasa Times: “I wouldn’t say I’m lucky to be in the finals but am blessed and I thank God for taking me this far.”

The 17-year-old revealed that she was keen to win the competition because she plans to further the music career and strive for perfection in the industry at home.

And as he judges himself by the performances throughout the competition, Guise has the belief that he will carry the night, saying “I am confident because I believe that I can stand any kind of pressure performance-wise and that I can represent Malawi well on the international level.”

The youngest contestant, Tawonga, who is aged eleven, still maintains her dream of leading aspiring young artists in the country if she wins the competition.

“Youngsters in Malawi should realise that no matter how young you might be everything is possible, and winning this competition would mean a lot to me and my generation,” said Tawonga.

The E-Wallet finale is scheduled to start at 8pm and apart from the finalists, some of the evicted contestants, including Eric Matewere, Tiwonge Soko, The Elements Dance Crew, The Floor Steppers and Goma Nyondo, will also perform.

Also billed to entertain the audience are two of the country’s top Afro-Pop musicians, Maskal of Zili ndi iwe and the Part of life singer Dan Lu.

By Judith Moyo, Nyasa Times

Development partners, USAID, UKaid, Flanders International Cooperation Agency and Royal Norwegian Embassy have disclosed that they have restated their commitment to help Banja La Mtsogolo after investigations into abuse of aid proved futile.

The donors made their position known on Thursday through a joint statement which Nyasa Times has seen.

“In line with the Ministry of Health’s statement on 5th December 2012, we the development partners would like to reaffirm our support and partnership with Banja La Mtsogolo and Marie Stopes International.

“BLM has demonstrated that they are a transparent organization, most recently by commissioning an independent inquiry to investigate the allegations issued against the BLM management staff in Malawi. The results of which have shown no evidence to substantiate the
allegations. The results confirm to us that BLM is managed with integrity, sound ethics and good management,” reads the statement in part.

Donors restate funding to Banja La Mtsogolo

BLM country director, Linda Edwards said: “Our relationships with the development partners are crucial. With their funding and ongoing support, the team here at BLM are able to do what we do best-provide choice to the women and men of Malawi, all across Malawi, allowing
them to take control of their sexual and reproductive health.

“I am proud of the work that we do, particularly the fact that we work in areas where healthcare services are not easy to access, and I am proud of our relationships that enable us to continue this vital work.”

BLM provides family planning services in Malawi and gives choices to men and women to make choices about their sexual and reproductive health.

Employees at BLM petitioned several institutions to conduct a thorough investigation into what was happening at BLM including all issues of mismanagement, fraud, racism as claimed by local Malawian staff.

By Ulemu Teputepu, Nyasa Times

Malawi Embassy in South Africa has dismiss reports that its citizen who are detained at at the Lindela Repatriation Centre near Krugersdorp, South Africa for illegally staying in the country are ill-treated by Immigration officials.

The embassy was responding to reports that Malawians detained at Lindela are living in degrading, inhuman and life threatening conditions  at Lindela Camp.

One Malawian awaiting deportation at Lindela Camp spoke on Zodiak Broadcasting Corporation, saying :“We are starving and many Malawians are dying because of lack of medical assistance. We have been seeking help from Malawi embassy but to no response.”

Lindela Repatriation Centre has become notorious for human rights abuses against suspected ‘illegal’ immigrants, according to detainees at the camp

Commenting on the issue Malawi’s Deputy High Commissioner to South Africa, Alexious Godia dismiss the claims as untrue.

Godia said tall Malawians who are at Lindela are well taken care by the South African government.

“We do follow up this issues and our officers visits Lindela every Wednesday to make sure that our citizens are in good hands,” said Godia.

He said there are close to 583 Malawians who are on the waiting list to be deported back to Malawi.

“ From the month of December,  the South African government deported 1322  and now there close to 583 Malawians who are still detained,” explained Godia.

Commenting on what Malawi government is doing to speed up the process to repatriliating its citizens, Godia said according to the law it is only South African government which is mandated to transport the detained illegal Immigrants.

“ It is the South African government which is mandated to transport them back home , we only focus on humanitarian issues to make sure that our citizens are well taken care of,” explained Godia .

He said currently South African government is waiting for resources to transport the 583 Malawians.

One man who was deported to Malawi and came through Lindela said the situation is terrible and the “concentration” camp is overcrowded, calling it a “death trap.”

The Lindela Detention Centre has in the past been strongly criticized for abuse of detainees. Pressure groups have raised serious concerns about human rights violations.

Young Malawians trek to South Africa, the continent’s economic giant, in search for greener pastures.

By Thom Chiumia, Nyasa Times

Australian uranium miner Paladin Energy would restructure the mining operations at Kayelekera in Karonga that would result in the retrenchment of 110 employees.

The miner confirmed to Nyasa Times when asked about the job cuts.

Paladin international affairs General Manager Greg Walker told Nyasa Times: “We have reviewed staff numbers and are retrenching 110 national employees.”

The development comes after the uranium miner reported that Kayelekera Mine output jumped 20.9 percent in the quarter ending December 2012.

Greg Walker of Paladin: Staff reduction necessary at this time

But Walker explained: “While production has gone up, the uranium price has not; hence Kayelekera continues to operate at a loss.”

He added: “We had warned government that this situation was unsustainable and would lead to job losses unless the uranium price improved, which it has not.”

In a statement made available to Nyasa Times, Paladin said the staff reduction is in” response to economic pressures on the Company caused by the continuing depressed uranium price”

Walker said apart from the local staff expatriate positions are also being reduced by 24 per cent from 118 to 90.

He said the company  has advised the Ministry of Labour of this move; informed the Kayelekera  Local Staff Association (LSA), which represents  national employees and notified its workforce.

Paladin also said Mota-Engil Malawi Ltd, which has a contract to carry out mining  operations at Kayelekera, already has reduced its employment level by 23 per cent from 234 people to 181,

“However, of these 53 positions, Mota-Engil has been able to redeploy 38 people elsewhere in its Malawian operations, so that actual retrenchments were 15 employees. As a result, total Malawi national employment at  KM has reduced from 847 (PAL 613/Mota 234) to 682 (PAL 501/Mota 181), which is a 20 per cent reduction,” said the statement.

Paladin said it  has also engaged the services of a  Malawian  company which specializes in providing  advice and  counseling to affected employees.

Walker said the company “will consider retrenched employees for re-employment if  redundant positions are ever re-established” at Kayerekela.

Pandemonium broke loose in Nkhotakota district Wednesday when police fired teargas to disperse angry relatives of a woman who was found dead but without a leg and an arm.

The incident occurred at Kambuzi village, Traditional Authority Mphonde where scores of the woman’s relatives physically assaulted a husband to the departed woman for being suspected of having a hand in their relative’s murder.

The deceased’s husband was baldy pummeled and is currently battling for his life at Nkhotakota District Hospital.

During the fracas some police officers also sustained injuries with varied degrees after they were attacked by the irate villagers.

Police had skirmishes with villagers

According to Nkhotakota police spokesperson Kaitano Lubrino, the deceased identified as 21-year-old Sarah Nkhoma, was killed by a crocodile while she was in her garden.

Late Nkhoma is reported to have left her home early morning of 17 January this year to work in her garden located along the banks of Bua River but did not return.

The development forced family members to search for her and also report the matter to police.

Lubrino said the search did not yield anything until January 21 when her body was discovered along Lake Malawi at Chisi Fishing Dock by a fisherman but without her left leg and right arm.

“Police officers together with medical personnel from Nkhotakota District Hospital visited the scene and established that the deceased died due to excessive loss of blood after she was severe attacked by a crocodile,” Lubrino said.

But when her relatives from Msenjere Trading Centre in the area of T/A Kanyenda heard about the death, they suspected that her husband was responsible for it and immediately mobilised themselves for a revenge.

“The following day they went to Kambuzi Village where they captured the deceased husband and stripped him naked. Then they took him to their home to allegedly kill him,” he explained.

However, some well wishers immediately alerted police officers who rushed to the area where they indeed found the violent group still assaulting and torturing the man.

“The situation was tense and risky because the crowd was just too violent. But we managed to rescue the victim and sought refuge at Msenjere police unit. We then asked our friends from Nkhunga Police to assist us with their vehicle since ours had whisked the victim away for safety,” Lubrino said.

But the situation worsened after the angry group started throwing stones forcing police to start firing teargas and blank bullets to calm the situation.

“In the process we arrested one person suspected to be the ring leader and he is currently in custody at Nkhunga Police,” he explained.