Tag Archives: Alex Machila

Politics

Opposition DPP rejects lawmaker aspirant Machila despite development work in Salima South Constituency

Dorica Mtenje

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Despite development work initiated in Salima South Constituency by lawmaker aspirant Alex Machila, faces rejection from opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

In an interview with The Maravi Post on Wednesday, March 28, Machila highlighted his ongoing efforts to uplift Salima South Constituency through grassroots development.

He cited the construction of school blocks, installation of solar lights in schools, markets, and fishing beaches, as well as the maintenance of community boreholes to improve access to clean water.

Machila further said beyond infrastructure he has paid school fees for underprivileged students and recently distributed maize flour and clothing to vulnerable families efforts that have earned him widespread praise for his commitment to community welfare.

However, one of the DPP supporters Mussa Yusuf claim that Machila is being sidelined by DPP officials in favor of a newly endorsed candidate with no tangible record of work on the ground.

“The DPP’s preferred candidate is only two months old in the party and has done nothing for the people,” said a supporter, Yusuf, in a phone interview on Sunday.

Yusuf further alleged that, aside from verbal attacks and public ridicule, party officials have created parallel structures and handpicked delegates to undermine Machila’s position.

“It’s disheartening that after all the pleading, the same party is now vilifying its own candidate,” Yusuf added.

Meanwhile Machila is set to run as an independent,a decision that now appears to be backfiring.

DPP Vice President for the Central Region, Alfred Gangata, said he would refer the issue to the party’s Director of Elections, Jean Mathanga, for appropriate action.

Malawi

Malawi President Chakwera inaugurates MACOHA flag week: Minister Kaliati calls for much support for people with disabilities

Maneno Chimulala
President Chakwera and other officials during inauguration ceremony of the MACOHA Flag Week

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)—Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera on Monday inaugurated the 2020 Malawi Council for the Handicapped (MACOHA) Flag Week with a call to all stakeholders to support programmes aimed at promoting the welfare of people with disabilities.

Speaking in Mzuzu when he presided over the ceremony at Mzuzu State Lodge, the President said his Government was committed to implementing inclusive programmes to benefit all Malawians, including those with disabilities.

The Malawi leader said the Tonse Administration realizes the importance of implementing programmes that “progressively promote the rights of persons with disabilities.”

MACOHA’s board member Alex Machila said most of their 1.7 million members across the country face a number of challenges.

In her remarks, Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Patricia Kaliati, said apart from training sign language interpreters, her Ministry has lined up programmes that will enable persons with disabilities to meaningfully participate in national development.

Kaliati further called for much support from Malawians as the ministry is working round the clock in fighting for the rights and welfare of people with disabilities.

“This week we urge you all to help the ministry with wheelchairs and may we take care of our family and friends with disabilities. The government of Malawi Led by His Excellency Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera and the Tonse alliance is training sign language professionals and will continue to do so so that no one is left behin;  everyone should be able to access information including the Covid 19 information.

“During this week MACOHA is fundraising k10 000 000, to help put disabled children in school as well as be able to train young men and women some technical skills to help economically empower them. From state House I with MACOHA officials went through Mzuzu banks to sell flags as a way of fundraising for this much needed money. Thank you so much for all who have helped and planning to help,” said Kaliati in her facebook post after the ceremony.

This year’s MACOHA Flag Week is being observed under the theme: Inclusive Health Response to Combat COVID-19.

MACOHA is targeting to raise K10 million during this year’s Flag Week.

Human Rights

Lack of finances stalls 122 cases of people with albinism

Malawi News Agency (MANA)

The Association of Persons with Albinism in Malawi (APAM) has said lack of finances to the Legal Aid Bureau motivation to people working in the judicial system is stalling justice delivery on issues involving its members.

APAM President, Overstone Kondowe made these remarks at a press briefing at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe on Monday.

“Funding on murder cases is always delayed or denied and for a long time, I can confirm that the Legal Aid Bureau has not been funded.

“That makes it difficult for people affected or suspects to get legal representation,” Khondowe said, adding that some people who commit such cases have heavy financial muscles.

He added that lack of DNA test experts to give evidence on cases and the slowness of the judicial system has escalated the problem.

Alex Machila from Centre for Justice and Equity (CEJEQ) said his organization would be engaging the Ministry of justice and Constitutional Affairs to know what measures would be put in place in order for the cases to see justice soon.

“We are very concerned with this delay and it may also assist in worsening the situation because some people will think there is no justice to be faced by those committing these atrocities.

“These albino attacks resurfaced between August and September [2017]. There had been no cases until 13 October, 2017 when Slag M’balaka was attacked to be sold at K20 million,” Machila said.

According to APAM, 21 people with albinism died and 122 cases have stalled since the issue of albino attack started.

Human Rights, Consultative Committee, Chairperson, Robert Mkwezalamba, thanked President Professor Peter Mutharika for commanding the presence of the Malawi Defense Force (MDF) in the districts affected by blood sucking rumours like Mulanje, Thyolo, Phalombe and Machinga.

“There is need for collective effort to support the president in protecting people with albinism and blood sucking allegations, the developments which we condemn in strongest terms,” Mkwezalamba said.

APAM envisions a community of persons with albinism enjoying full human rights and sustainable livelihoods.