Tag Archives: CDEDI’s Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa

corruption, Human Rights

CDEDI issues 7 days ultimatum for Chief Justice Mzikamanda, AG Mbeta

Shaffie A Mtambo

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Civil rights grouping the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has launched a blistering attack on Malawi’s top legal authorities, declaring that the rule of law has “collapsed” and demanding the immediate resignation of the Chief Justice and the Attorney General.

Addressing the new conference on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, CDEDI Executive Director, Sylvester Namiwa says public trust in the Judiciary has reached its lowest point in the country’s history, arguing that confidence in the institution is fast eroding amid mounting allegations of corruption.

The organisation claims the Judiciary, one of the three arms of government, is losing legitimacy because public office rests on two key pillars, competence and trust.

According to CDEDI, once trust diminishes, authority becomes morally and legally unsustainable.

At the centre of the storm is Rizine Mzikamanda, who CDEDI accuses of failing to act on concerns reportedly raised by the Malawi Law Society (MLS) and the Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA) regarding alleged misconduct within the Judiciary.

CDEDI argues that in action in the face of such serious complaints has fueled suspicion and weakened confidence in the country’s judicial leadership. If urgent steps are not taken, the grouping warns, the Judiciary risks losing the moral and legal authority it commands.

Namiwa goes further to allege that powerful cartels may have “hijacked” what was once considered an independent and functional judicial system, a claim likely to intensify debate over the integrity of Malawi’s courts.

Citing Section 12 of the Republican Constitution which states that public officers exercise delegated authority derived from the people CDEDI says it is invoking “people power” to mobilise citizens to push for the resignation of the Chief Justice and other senior judicial officers.

The organisation maintains that stepping aside would be the “noble” course of action for Justice Mzikamanda and his senior colleagues, arguing that new leadership is necessary to sanitise the Judiciary and restore public trust.

As part of what it calls the “anti climax” of the alleged collapse of the rule of law, CDEDI has also faulted the Supreme Court of Appeal over a payout demanded in favour of the defunct Finance Bank, saying such a move would burden taxpayers and strain the already fragile public purse.

The grouping further alleges that correspondence between the FIA and Justice Mzikamanda points to an abdication of constitutional responsibility, which it claims undermined efforts to combat financial crimes and indirectly contributed to the loss of public resources meant for essential services such as medical supplies.

CDEDI also criticises the Attorney General, Frank Mbeta, accusing him of failing to address allegations questioning his fitness to hold office. The organisation argues that stepping down would help preserve the integrity of the Attorney General’s office.

Namiwa has given both Justice Mzikamanda and AG Mbeta seven days to “respectfully and responsibly” vacate their positions or risk being forced out through public mobilisation.

The group has also called on Members of Parliament to amend the law to require judges to retire at 60, aligning them with other public servants, saying current events offer no moral justification for special treatment.

Both Mzikamanda and Mbeta are yet to react to CDEDI resignation calls.

Environment, Human Rights

Vigils set to pressure PressCane on improper waste discharges

Maravi Post Author

By IOMMIE CHIWALO

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-After a decade of endless and unfruitful efforts in requesting proper waste management disposal, Citizens League has joined forces with Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) to address the matter through two-fold vigils.

In a press statement made available to this publication and signed by CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa as well as representatives of the concerned citizens, the vigils are set for January 29, 2026 whereby people will gather at the vicinity of PressCane until all the concerns raised will be addressed.

The grouping has also indicated that the other phase of vigils will be held at the District Council offices since are involved in ensuring better welfare of the surrounding communities.

Briefly CDEDI and the Citizens League are demanding for the immediate removal of the vinasse ponds located at Lauji village Traditional Authority (T.A) Katunga, compensation to the affected community as well as immediate transfer of the District Environmental Officer, Levious Mafuta, Lands Officer Shama Mulenga and the District Health Officer, Grace Momba.

“Kindly note that the vigils will be held in two phases. Phase one, at Press Cane Limited vicinity and phase II at the District Commissioner (DC’s) offices and will be held until the aforementioned demands are met.

“As per the Police Act, it is our expectation that the police in Chikwawa will provide security. Nonetheless, we have put in place 50 marshals that will work hand in hand with the police to ensure that the vigils are peaceful,” reads the notification letter to the District Commissioner.

According to Namiwa the vigils are purely aimed at pressing the Chikwawa based Ethanol production company to improve on waste management as concerns mount on the pillage of toxic substances from the company.

Presscane Limited has been facing demands to address the pillage which is said to have negatively impacted on the lives of Dyeratu residents.

CDEDI Executive Director says the current approach is necessary because the situation has gone bad as the toxic substances has visibly put the lives of people at risk.

Namiwa has since revealed that his organization together with the locals plans to hold vigils at the company until the concerns are addressed.

Law and order, Politics

CDEDI petitions Malawi Parliament to adopt local languages during deliberations

Dorica Mtenje

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) along side Lost History Foundation, has petitioned the Malawi Parliament to begin using local languages particularly Chichewa during its deliberations, in a move aimed at promoting inclusivity and national identity.

Presenting the petition at Parliament Building in Lilongwe on Thursday, CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa emphasized that all parliamentary proceedings are meant for Malawians, the majority of whom communicate primarily in indigenous languages.

“Whatever transpires in Parliament is meant for the ordinary Malawian. It is therefore important that proceedings be conducted in a language that every citizen can understand,” said Namiwa.

He argued that introducing local languages such as Chichewa, Chitumbuka, and Yao in Parliament would help bridge the communication gap between lawmakers and the people they represent.

Namiwa noted that English, though an official language, often limits citizens’ understanding of national issues debated in the House.

The petition also calls for the translation of parliamentary documents, bills, and committee reports into local languages, enabling broader public participation in democratic processes.

He also calls for the local language inclusive in schools.

The petition has since been received by Member of Parliament for Zomba city North Bester Awali.

Awali commended the initiative, saying it would help them reach out to the local communities that voted for them.

He assured them that will present the petition to the Speaker’s office.

If adopted, Malawi would join other African nations such as Tanzania and South Africa that have incorporated local languages in parliamentary and official state business.

Human Rights, Law and order

Six suspected MCP regime thugs arrested over activist Namiwa, protestors assault

Shaffie A Mtambo

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost) –The Malawi Police Service (MPS) has confirmed the arrest and court appearance of six suspects linked to the violent attack on activist Sylvester Namiwa and the panga wielding assaults on civil servants earlier this year.

The six suspected Malawi Congress Party (MCP) regime thugs appeared before the Principal Resident Magistrate’s Court in Lilongwe on October 27, 2025, facing multiple charges including grievous harm, malicious damage, theft and robbery, according to a statement signed by Deputy Public Relations Officer Superintendent Alfred Chimthere.

“The six suspects have been arrested and appeared before court to answer various criminal charges related to the Namiwa incident and the hacking of civil servants by panga wielding thugs,”
said Superintendent Chimthere.

The accused have been identified as Alfred Daila Kadula aged 43 of Batulen Village, T/A Chiseka in Lilongwe, Joseph Tilibe Gidien 50 years old of Sadya Village, T/A Mbwatalika in Lilongwe,Larneck Mandowa aged 42 of Yoyola Village, T/A Kapeni in Blantyre, Lester Hanleck Aaron Kanjunga 38 years old of Zidana Village, T/A Kwataine in Ntcheu, Howard Hamuza aged 27 of Dothi Village, T/A Mbwatalika in Lilongwe and Mavuto Njuchi 27 years of Ngozi Village, T/A Neno in Neno District.

The police stated that the suspects are connected to different incidents some involving the Salima robbery, while others relate to the Mbowe and Namiwa attacks. All six suspects have been remanded and are expected to reappear in court as the hearings continue.

Superintendent Chimthere reaffirmed the MPS’s commitment to justice and accountability.

“The Malawi Police Service remains committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that all criminal activities are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted,”
he emphasized.

He further urged the public to remain calm and allow the legal process to take its course.

The attack on Namiwa, a well-known governance activist, sparked widespread public outrage and renewed calls for government action against politically motivated violence.

Police investigations are ongoing to uncover the full extent of the crimes and determine whether other individuals were involved in the coordinated attacks.

corruption, Malawi

CDEDI introduces free toll-free number to expose public officers, politicians, banks behind forex crisis

MaraviPost

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s civil rights group Center for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) is engaging an international organisation for exposing public officers, politicians who are behind scarcity of forex in the country.

Executive Director, Sylvester Namiwa told the news conference on Wednesday, February 20, 2025 in the capital Lilongwe that through free-toll number, the international organisation will help incoding, receiving details of individuals, politicians, public officers, banks who are aiding black market forex trading.

Namiwa revealed that some cabinet ministers, government officials, and banks are into illegal forex trading hence the initiative hence to expose the cartel.

He however alleges that these individuals are obtaining forex from banks, that, have captured the economy.

“According to our findings, this trend is contributing to the further weakening of the local currency against the US dollar, as the latter is being traded without any backing,” said Namiwa.

Namiwa further reveals that they have the names of those involved.

For instance, he claims that a certain minister applied for $450,000 from one of the commercial banks but then sold the money directly to a Malawian businessperson of Asian origin at a rate of MK4,200.

Here is CDEDI full statement….

CALL TO REVIVE CITIZEN POWER AMID FOREX CRISIS

It is disheartening to note that Cabinet ministers, top government officials, the ruling elite and top banking officials, have captured the economy and turned
the glaring mismatch between the official dollar rate and that on the black market into an instant lucrative business at the expense of the deserving business community.

This is the scenario that investigations by the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) have found out.

According to the findings, this trend is to blame for the further weakening of the unit against the US dollar since the latter is being traded without any backing.

A case in point is that after the cancellation of the pre-loaded visa cards, that was subjected to abuse, commercial banks have put their foot down and are
not selling the much sought-after US dollar, currently pegged at K1,751.00 on the official market.

Shockingly, the accumulated forex is easily accessed by powerful ministers and ruling elite who travel on the pretext of transacting government business.

In their application for forex, they inflate their requirements and the moment they get the dollar, they immediately sell it to the desperate business community at black market rate.

Malawians may wish to know that at the height of this forex crisis, a senior Cabinet minister and influential Malawi Congress Party figure, whose name we
have but will withhold for now, has the luxury of buying real property in US dollars.

Just recently, the flamboyant politician applied for $450,000 at one of the commercial banks, which is about K788 million at the official rate, but took
the money directly to a Malawian businessperson of Asian origin, where he sold the dollars at K4,200, translating to about K1.8 billion, making an instant
profit of almost K1 billion.

This means the said business person will import goods and services reflecting a black market rate, when if it were not for this Cabinet minister, he could have
accessed the same dollars on the formal market.

The above scenario, probably explains why Cabinet ministers, top government officials and party officials are hoping from one country to another, not to serve

Malawians, rather siphoning the US dollar from the formal system to the black market.

And details have emerged that some powerful individuals are, actually, getting the forex direct from the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM).

Given the situation above, it is clear that there is total chaos in the Malawi money market where both the central bank and commercial banks are not
accountable, let alone transparent, in their dealings.

This development has, however, impacted negatively on the welfare of Malawians, where prices of basic goods and services are going up on a daily basis.

Unless something is done to stop this illicit business, the gap between the conventional and black market will continue to widen and the forex scarcity will worsen.

The above, coupled with lack of government incentives to encourage diaspora remittances, paints a gloomy economic picture.

The Exchange Control Act is discouraging those in the diaspora from channeling their hard-earned savings
through their Foreign Denominated Accounts (FDAs) since it is compulsory that larger chunks of their money will be converted into the local unit automatically.

To avert a forced loss, the Act has rendered FDAs redundant, since mechanisms have been put in place to ensure that savings of Malawians in the diaspora get home but at the same time enjoy the black market rate.

Apparently, some Malawians have information and names of those involved but have, unfortunately, resigned to fate, owing to the fact that mandated State
organs such as the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and the Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA) have been captured by the same people at the centre of this illicit trade.

CDEDI, however, hereby reminds Malawians that as per the wording and spirit of Section 12 of the Republican Constitution, they should not feel helpless or intimidated, rather they should stand up to address the crisis that is threatening their survival and that of millions of other Malawians.

In view of the above, CDEDI intends to revive the people power hashtag to dismantle this cartel and liberate the economy by using the lifestyle audit and naming-and-shaming to expose those involved.

In order to give back power to the people, CDEDI has since come up with an initiative dubbed ‘The People Power Forum’ where the citizenry will have a chance to ‘nominate’ public officers whose lifestyle, wealth and property is not consumerate with their legitimate earnings.

Thus far, CDEDI has engaged a reputable international institution to manage the ‘nomination process’ in a manner that does not give room for manipulation.
The process will take a tips- off anonymous route in the following categories:

The executive (Cabinet ministers)

Political appointees (advisers and State residences employees)

The legislature (Members of Parliament)

The Judiciary (Judges, Magistrates and Lawyers)

Civil and public servants.
The format is simple: A dedicated toll free line will be made public where the citizenry will be required to push their vote in line with the above mentioned categories, singling out those that they wish to justify their lifestyle against their earnings publicly as a sure way that they are not beneficiaries of theft, corruption and illicit proceeds.

Needless to say that a good citizen pays tax, therefore, the standard expectation would be that all business proceeds should be accompanied by proof of payment of tax to the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA), to clear any doubts.

By the end of the day, Malawians will be given an opportunity to distinguish between honest and corrupt public officials. This public court will be held every
fortnight and a draw of names of candidates from the different categories will be conducted.


LIt is sad to note that after voting, Malawians have literally nothing that gives them leverage to invoke the powers contained in the Constitution.

This is the reason those elected become untouchable and in the process loot and plunder public coffers without remorse.

Meanwhile, CDEDI hereby urges Malawians within and outside the country, groups and institutions to come forward and provide both technical and material support to help make this dream of bringing back people power a reality.

SYLVESTER NAMIWA
CDEDI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Law and order, Malawi

CDEDI pens AG Nyirenda demanding progress report on MK51bn misappropriation from Salima Sugar Company

Maravi Post Author

By IOMMIE CHIWALO

BLANTYRE-(BLANTYRE)-The Center for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) is demanding for an immediate intervention from the Office of Attorney General to take action by challenging Court order on freezing SSCL bank accounts.

In a letter copied to Salima Sugar Company Limited and Green Belt Authority, CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa wants the commitment made by Attorney General Thabo Chakaka-Nyirenda in recovering public finances come to pass.

Namiwa is against the current trend of selective justice that is portraying the office of the Attorney General as among compromised agencies.

The call by CDEDI are coming after Malawians have had a rude awakening from verified media reports indicating that the High Court had ordered the freezing of the SSCL’s bank accounts yet it has been on the mercy of its stakeholders.

For instance Mount Meru which also had its bank accounts frozen oover dubious exportation of 1,500 MT Salima Sugar to Rwanda and asked
the current management of SSCL to have mercy as the company was willing to be a government witness.

The Attorney General has been reminded that the SSCL was set up to among others provide the much-needed competition
to the Illovo dominated sugar industry, for the betterment of the majority low-income consumers that are struggling to access the basic commodity,
fortified with Vitamin A supplement.

“For your own information, Illovo has
raised sugar prices twice this year, in a space of six months, therefore
Malawians’ eyes are fixed at the developments unfolding at the SSCL to provide affordable sugar, hence their interest on this matter,” says Namiwa.

The government principal legal advisor has since been urged to challenge the High Court ruling as well as ensuring that the remaining suspects are arrested, starting with their local agents, who are currently facilitating the freezing of the SSCL’s bank accounts.

Chakaka-Nyirenda has also been ordered to give a progress report and
justify the apparent selective application of justice on arrests, including how much in cash and assets has been recovered so far, ten months after committing to address the vice.

“Failure to do the needful, will prompt Malawians to conclude that you are too compromised to defend public interests, therefore,
the noble thing to do is to force you Sir, to resign since you made that public undertaking while fully aware of its implications,” reads the letter from CDEDI and the office of the Attorney General has confirmed receipt of the same.

The recent media reports that the High Court’s commercial division in
Blantyre has barred Salima Sugar Company Limited (SSCL) from using $2.3 million (about K5.3 billion) in its bank accounts, pending the conclusion of an outstanding case between the firm and Mukteshwar Sugar mills Limited,
coupled with the Illovo Sugar price hike, has reminded Malawians of an undertaking AG Chakaka-Nyirenda publicly made on December 5, 2023 when officially unveiling the contents of the November 2023 forensic audit commissioned by the Malawi Government on SSCL, which brought to light reports that about US$30 million (about MK51 billion) was misappropriated.

He made the pledge through a televised press briefing where Malawians were assured that all the money would be recovered and those involved would be arrested with their assets forfeited to recover the public funds, some of which included public debts.

Initially SSCL Chairman Shirieesh Betgiri, was arrested and the national police spokesperson Peter Kalaya told the nation that the police had secured five warrants of arrests for Betgiri, Dr. Henry Njoloma, Prashant Sharma, Vikas Hirawatt and Sachin Nikam.

While there was a commitment by the Malawi Police Service to bring suspects home so that they can answer the charges in court, there has been deafening silence on the matter until in May this year when Media reported that Mount Meru is off the hook having appealed for mercy.

Malawi

CDEDI calls for credible passport issuance system

Maravi Post Author

By IOMMIE CHIWALO

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has urged Malawians of goodwill to rise above party politics and defend the credibility of the Malawian passport.

Addressing the press in Lilongwe, CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa, says restoring the credibility of the Malawi passport will help to save tax payers’ money which is being wasted through highly-insensitive and costly decisions being made by some selfish individuals.

He says his organisation is immediately demanding that Malawi Government should swallow its pride and revert to the Techno Brain assessment report, recover the initial system within a month, at a cost not more than US$3 million (K5.1 billion) as opposed to procuring a new system which will cost not less than US$40 million (K69 billion), bearing in mind that it has already spent $46 million (K79.6 billion).

“It should also be emphasized that all the hardware for this system is intact in all passport printing centres, namely Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mzuzu and Mangochi. Hence the need for Malawians to stand up and force the government to come to its senses and act in the best interest of all as opposed to serving selfish interests of few individuals, otherwise, we shall be forced to agitate for the inevitable protests,” he said.

Namiwa feels the current man-made passport crisis represents nothing but a gross human rights violation that has been entertained for unnecessarily too long, and has culminated into a huge international disgrace.

He has therefore urged authorities to swallow their pride and invite Techo Brain to reinstall the passport issuance system whose infrastructure is intact in all the passport issuance centres.

The CDEDI Executive Director highlighted that printing of the Malawi passport is a preserve of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services hence no need for a new passport issuance system.

Namiwa has, however, challenged some greedy Malawians who have caused this mess at the Immigration Department that they can still make their dirty money by supplying passport booklets, ink, ribbons and crystal grams while the system is running smoothly as opposed to putting spanners in the works and bring country at a standstill.

“Let alone, make more dirty money through procuring a parallel passport issuance system to the current one,”.

According to Namiwa, CDEDI has arrived at this position following its findings which have revealed that the Malawi Government is in the process of procuring a new passport supplier, an exercise that will cost taxpayers not less than $40 million (approximately K69 billion).

Without wasting tax payers’ money, CDEDI is proposing that Malawi Government should simply swallow its pride and let Techno Brain recover the system at a cost which is not exceeding $3 million (about K5.1 billion).

Government through its spokesman, Moses Kumkuyu, is yet to respond on our questionaire when we requested for clarity on the current passport issuance system status.

But for records sake, in February 2019, the Malawi Government, through the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services (DoICS), engaged Techno Brain to upgrade the Passport Issuance System (PIS) and introduce an electronic passport (e-passport) under a three-year Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) agreement pegged at $60.8 million (about K105 billion).

However, the contract was controversially terminated eight months before expiry, when Immigration had paid about $10 million (K17 billion).

Since there was no alternative company to provide passport services, government entered into interim arrangements with the same organisation [Techno Brain] worth $2.5 million (K4.3 billion) and $3 million (K5.1billion) respectively.

In spite of the above, a settlement agreement was made, purportedly based on specific performance where $22 million (K38 billion) was paid and Techno Brain handed over the system to the Department of Immigration, together with the Source Code.

At the time of the handover, government had paid almost $39 million (K67 billion) plus $7 million (K12 billion) fine for breach of contract, translating to a cool $46 million (K79.6 billion).

The initial package
The $60.8 million (K105 billion) contract, whose passport was pegged at roughly $76 each (about K90,000).

Nonetheless, the ICT section within the Immigration Department operated the system smoothly until the Source Code landed in the wrong hands, marking the birth of the unprecedented passport crisis in the country.

Sadly it was discovered that some self-acclaimed ICT experts closely linked to the powers that be, hatched a plan to turn the passport issuance system into their own cash cow.

According to investigations by CDEDI, to maximize their proceeds, they planned to take out Techno Brain, got hold of the Source Code and made several attempts to bypass the initial system.

“This led to the system shutting them out, creating the never-ending crisis we are witnessing now. Those familiar with the system, argue that these politically connected individuals could have achieved their selfish motive without necessarily harming the whole system, since they could turn to supplying blank booklets, crystal gram, ink and ribbons, they could source from Singapore and Hungary. But destroying the whole system for personal gains was simply absurd,”

And after the purported ICT experts, led by the e-Government department, tried in vain, to recover the system, Techno Brain was invited to conduct an assessment on the extent of the damage, and advise on the possibility of restoring the system.

The records show that the assessment was done in January, 2024 and a report was submitted to the authorities where Techno Brain indicated that the system could be recovered in eight days for Blantyre and within a month for Lilongwe, Mzuzu and Mangochi at a cost of $1.6 million (K2.7 billion) since then there was no any service level agreement between the two parties.

“This proposal was not only shot down, but was presented to Malawians as ransom money, demanded by the systems purported hackers,”

What CDEDI is against is the shameless hacking narrative from government which is only aiming at achieving it’s option to procure a six-month contract with E-Tech Systems to the tune of K897 million, in total disregard of prevailing procurement laws and regulations.

“Actually, the K897 million was just for designing the basic system and procurement of two manually-operated printers installed in Lilongwe,” discloses Namiwa.

Human Rights, Malawi

CDEDI insists on Maize prices slashing for locals’ benefits

Maravi Post Reporter

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s civil rights group, Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) is insisting on slashing maize prices for locals’ benefits.

The grouping is also demanding the availability of the staple food in all corners of the country, the same way ballot boxes are distributed during general elections.

The demand comes after Agriculture Minister Sam Kawale failed to tell the nation on new prices of the commodity which is sold currently in the range of MK30,000 to MK50,000 per 50 kilogram.

Kawale told Malawi Parliament on Thursday, August told the house that 12,640 metric tones of Maize will be distributed across without setting new prices.

The minister disclosed that in the first phase, 10,170 metric tones of maize will go to the Southern region, and 1,150 metric tones to the Central and Northern regions.

But CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa, whose grouping is holding vigils at Parliament Building since Wednesday this week, insists that maize prices should not be sold at more than MK12,000 per 50-kilogram bag.

Namiwa hinted that the current government set up prices of MK25,000 per 50kg is exorbitant for locals amid the ailing economy prevailing in the country.

“The first thing we want to see is President Lazarus Chakwera’s Tonse Alliance government flooding maize in all selling points across the country, the same way votes are distributed during elections.

“Secondly, Tonse government must formalise the proposed new prices of maize, at MK12,000 per 50-kilogram bag,” demands Namiwa.

CDEDI, however, is against rationing the maize, despite being an indirect admission that the situation is worse than projected, “Rationing will only worsen the situation on the ground as some selfish individuals will hijack the rationed maize”.

Meanwhile, Agricultural Development Markets Cooperation (ADMARC) depots are to be opened for operations.

Chakwera has failed to fix the ailing economy for three years in power.

The leadership has been characterized by corruption, nepotism, high inflation and cost of living, and shortages of fuel, forex, and essential drugs in public hospitals.

Despite numerous challenges facing Malawi, Chakwera chose to go for a 10-day foreign trip without remorse for Malawians’ sufferings.

Agriculture, Malawi

“Flood maize in Admarc depots at MK12,000 per 50 kg before lives are lost”- CDEDI dares Chakwera’s Tonse Govt

Maravi Post Reporter 1 Comment

….Set demos on Wednesday, August 16 in Lilongwe

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has dared President Lazarus Chakwera’s Tonse Alliance government to flood maize in all selling points across-the the country.

CDEDI therefore implores the Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale, to go beyond merely mentioning figures of quantities of maize available at the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) at Kanego in Lilongwe, by physically taking stakeholders there to confirm the same.

Addressing the news conference on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 in the capital Lilongwe, CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa demands that; “Only a physical check at NFRA will help to dispute disheartening reports making rounds in the social media to the effect that that the grain silos are actually empty, hence the minister’s insistence on food rationing, barely two months after harvesting the staple food”.

Namiwa adds, “Our request comes against a backdrop that Hon Kawale promised Malawians that tomorrow,
Wednesday August 16, 2023, he will announce details of how government plans to stabilise maize prices by stocking Admarc markets with the staple grain from NFRA storage.

“Tomorrow, Malawians are expecting to hear at which Admarc depots they should go to buy maize and, most
importantly, at prices the poor majority can afford”.

“Need we remind Hon Kawale that in human rights, violations to the right to food occur when the
State fails to ensure the minimum requirements either through action or omission for the people to be free from hunger.

“As per the wording and spirit of Section 12 of the Republican Constitution, which demands
transparency and accountability in the exercise of the powers borrowed on trust from the people”, he added.

Concurring with Namiwa, one villager from Dowa Veronica Mpendadzuwa expressed worrisome over scarcity of Maize coupled with high cost of the commodity.

Therefore, CDEDI, is demanding on behalf of the millions of all well-meaning Malawians, herethe following;

Kawale, in collaboration with the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture chairperson Sammer Suleman to lead the country’s food stakeholders, including the media, to physically verify quantities of maize available in the NFRA silos at Kanengo, and elsewhere.

  1. Formalise the proposed new prices of maize, at MK12,000 per 50-kilogramme bag.
  2. Come out clearly on how the maize to be released from NFRA will be transported to all
    corners of the country where it is most need.
  3. Explain to the nation government’s position to replenish the grain reserves, whether through
    local production using irrigation farming, or through importation. In the case of the latter,
    government should explain the source of the maize and when it would be available in the
    country.
    That said, CDEDI reiterates its stand that the maize situation in the country is a life-threatening disaster-in-waiting.
  4. In addition, government’s insistence on rationing the maize, despite being an
    indirect admission that the situation is worse than projected, will only worsen the situation on the
    ground as some selfish individuals will hijack the rationed maize.
    It is against this background that CDEDI is urging Hon Kawale to use the ballot-box-distribution
    model to flood the market with maize and in the process push down the prices and flush out
    those hoarding the staple food.
    Last, but not the least, bearing in mind that food is life, and that those holding the key to the
    maize accessibility and affordability, can afford to buy it at any price and, more importantly, this
    government’s mastered art of taking Malawians for granted, CDEDI is urging all well-meaning Malawians who personally, or otherwise, feel threatened by the current exorbitant maize prices, to camp at the Parliament Building tomorrow [Wednesday August 16], to force government to do the needful.
    Let us not be passive citizens. If we do not join hands to defend our right to food, we will all perish!

Chakwera has failed to fix ailing economy three years in power.

The leadership has been characterised by corruption, nepotism, high inflation and costing of living, shortages of fuel, forex, essential drugs in public hospitals.

Human Rights, Malawi

Demos against Malawi police’s incompetency on Burundian Emmillie Noel death, Nov 23

Maravi Post Reporter
Khama addressing the news conference

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Some of the country’s concerned citizens are planning demonstrations against Malawi Police Service (MPS) failure to arrest suspects involved in the murder of Burundian Emmillie Halimana Noel.

The demonstrations come barely a week after the grouping gave the service to act the matter with urgency.

Addressing the new conference on Monday, November 14, 2022 in the capital Lilongwe, the group leader Wells Khama said the demonstration targets MPS’ Inspector General (IG) to take the matter serious arguing life was lost.

Khama warned that if IG will not act upon petition presentation the grouping will physically arrest the murder suspects.

“We the concerned citizens, hereby remind the Malawi Police Service (MPS) that the seven
days ultimatum issued on November 7, 2022 has expired with very little action on our demands
for the MPs to arrest suspects connected to the mysterious death of Lilongwe-based businessman, a Malawian citizen of Rwandan origin, Emmilie Halimana Noel 36, who allegedly
died in a road accident in Lilongwe along the M1 road around the Kanengo Northgate area on
October 17, 2022.

“To say the least, we are not shocked, and neither are we amused by the conduct of the police on
the matter. If anything we feel vindicated that those people connected to the incident are
protected by the law enforcers for reasons we all can guess,” worried Khama.

He observes, “This came very clear in one of the reactions by the police that they have two autopsy reports when actually they know that initially the alleged fatal accident was never reported to the police,
therefore those people parading the other report are the prime suspects on the mysterious death.

“It is clear that the police are now running out of excuses as to why they are not arresting the
suspects when Malawians have a million cases where the police have denied suspects bail
apparently to finish investigations and they are here in this case trying hard to finish
investigations before making arrests in a serious case where a life was lost”.

Warned Khama, “It is for this reason that, we the Concerned Citizens, reiterate the vow to fight for justice to prevail on the death of Emmilie. We hereby, intend to take a second step which is holding peaceful demonstrations on November 23, 2022 in Lilongwe where a petition will be hand delivered to the Inspector General of Police (IG) Merlyn Yolamu at Area 30.

“In an event that the police will not act after presenting the petition to the IG, we will be forced to
effect citizen arrest by picking the suspects named in the autopsy report which is in our
possession”.

With a trace of sequence of events surrounding investigations and progress of mysterious deaths especially of foreign nationals, Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has as written Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) to institute an enquiry.

In a letter addressed to MHRC Executive Secretary, Habiba Osman, CDEDI wants progress on how the Malawi Police Service (MPS) is handling matter of mysterious deaths involving refugees and asylum seekers, a case in point being the recent killing of Emmillie Halimana Noel, who at first was reportedly to have died of road accident but later on through postmortem discovered that it was strangulation.