Tag Archives: Malawi President Peter Mutharika

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Malawi President Mutharika resumes campaign trail after hours of his illness speculations

Maravi Post Reporter 1 Comment

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi President Peter Mutharika will on Tuesday resumes his campaign trail after a day of social media speculations that the President was critically ill.

In a press statement released on Monday, May 13, signed by Chief Secretary to Government Lloyd Muhara says President Mutharika will go on his whistle-stop election campaign tour is scheduled to conduct in Salima and Dedza districts on Tuesday.

On Sunday Muhara issued a statement that Mutharika  planned rallies in the districts were postponed on Sunday due to urgent matters the President had to attend.

Malawi goes to polls in the next seven days on May 21.

Top News

Malawi President Mutharika cancels campaign tour for ‘urgent matters’ to address

Maravi Post Reporter

 

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi President Peter Mutharika has cancelled a scheduled whistle-stop campaign tour in central region districts of Dedza and Salima.

According to Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) Lloyd Muhara’s statement disclosed that President Mutharika has “postponed” the tour “due to urgent matters that have to be done”.

Reads the statement: “The Office of President and Cabinet wishes to state that the general public will be informed of nay future arrangements of the Presidential whistle stop tours.”

This comes nine days before Malawi goes to polls on May 21.

However social media is awash reports that Mutharika is sick hence cancellation of the whistle-stop tours.

corruption, Malawi, Top News

Malawi President Mutharika embroiled into another corruption scandal; receives two vehicles from contractor Yusuf 

Maravi Post Reporter

By Nenenji Mlangeni

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi President Peter Mutharika is again embroiled into shameless corruption scam. First it was the MK145 million, proceeds from a corrupt Police food rations deal by Zameer Karim, then followed by a ‘donation’ of five brand new pick-ups valued at MK85 million by the same Karim.

Now Mutharika has been implicated in yet another corruption scandal where he received two vehicles in his name from a contractor who won a tender to build 10,000 police houses.

We can reveal that Mutharika received the two white pick-up vehicles from South Africa through Dedza Border Post in October 2018.

One of the two white GVM pick-ups was registered in the name of a J H Dhlamini under a South African ID number 8112075335088 and this vehicle was cleared in South Africa on 5th October 2018 at 06.25am.

The other one was registered in the name of a G. Siliya using a South African ID number 7702095978189 and this vehicle too was cleared in South Africa on the same day, 5th October 2019 at 06.28am.

Our investigations indicate both Dhlamini and Siliya are business associates of a Mr. Yusuf whose company won the tender to construct police houses in Malawi.

The vehicles, according to documents in our possession, entered Malawi on 8th October 2018 and the consignee was addressed as ‘Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, State House, and P.O Box 807, Lilongwe’.

The vehicles were processed by Kuna Customs and Clearing Agent, P.O Box 115, Mwanza.

Inside sources at State House also said the vehicles were received and delivered to Mutharika who has since registered them locally.

“The donation of the vehicles was like a ‘thank you’ to Mutharika for facilitating the police houses deal. Your President loves money too much because he was also given a lot of money on top of the two vehicles,” said a source from South Africa.

This is not the first time for Mutharika to be embroiled in corruption scandal.

The received MK145 million from Karim shortly after he was awarded a controversial MK2.9 million deal to supply food rations at Police. The money was deposited in a DPP account which Mutharika was a sole signatory. He withdrew mK65 million.

Shortly afterwards, the same Zameer Karim also donated five brand new vehicles worth K85 million and registered them in the name of Mutharika.

The DPP decided to pay back the money when it was clear that Mutharika had no plausible explanation on how proceeds of a corrupt contract were found in an account which he solely controls.

Mutharika failed to explain the donation of the vehicles from the same man who gave him K145 million stolen money.

Asked to explain on the new corruption scandal, Presidential Press Secretary Mgeme Kalirani confirmed that Mutharika indeed got the two vehicles from South Africa.

“But these vehicles were an honest donation from well wishers of the President,” said Kalirani.

He declined to take further questions on the matter.

One of Mutharika’s cashgate vehicles 

The development comes just eleven days before Malawi goes to May 21 general election which President Mutharika is seeking second mandate to govern the nation with Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)

Malawi, Top News

President Mutharika’s breakfast “Not relevant”-Mbakuwaku

Maravi Post Reporter

President Mutharika’s breakfast Not relevant-Mbakuwaku

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-One of the country’s opposition party Mbakuwaku Movement for Democracy (MMD) leader Peter Kuwani trashed the Presidential Prayer Breakfast which took place Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Thursday, saying it was not relevant compared to the event organised by Public Affairs Committee (PAC) last Saturday where the candidates committed to a peaceful campaign and election.

Malawi President Peter Mutharika was the only presidential candidate who attended the prayers at his backyard as five other candidates shunned the event ahead of the May 21 2019 Tripartite Elections

“In as far as I respect the freedom of worship, some of the churches organising the prayers are not worthwhile… PAC is recognised for its credibility,” Kuwani said in quotes reported in the local press .

The prayers were organised by several Christian churches, including Pentecostal Revival Crusade Ministries, Calvary Family Church, Charismatic Redeemed Ministries International, Malawi Assemblies of God and Living Waters Church.

But prayers moderator Apostle Madalitso Mbewe and other clergy behind the prayers were daid to be on the payroll of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and were politically biased with their alignment to DPP.

And Mzuzu-based political analyst Emily Mkamanga agreed with Kuwani that the State House prayer session was not relevant, especially coming after PAC hosted a similar event where the signing of a peace declaration also took place.

“The other parties are justified by not attending and when you look at the relevance, we see it is not that relevant because PAC also held their prayers which discussed more important issues such as the peace signing where the President himself was supposed to attend,” she said.

President Mutharika last Saturday snubbed PAC prayers, instead went into a political trail in Mzuzu.

Only 12 days to go before the nation goes into polls on May 21.

Top News

Malawi President Mutharika regrets picking Chimulirenji as runningmate; Road to May 21

Maravi Post Reporter 1 Comment

By Nenenji Mlangeni

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi President Peter Mutharika is reportedly  not happy  with the First Lady for forcing him to pick Everton Chimulirenje to be his runningmate in next month’s election.

Inside Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) sources confided in this publication that the President Mutharika is contemplating endorsing United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate Atupele Muluzi for President.

Aides close to the President are worried that APM’s decision will decimate the party in next month’s popular vote.

“There is no peace at State House because the big man is angry and in a very uncompromising mood…if he directs all resources to Atupele what happens to us (DPP),” said an State House insider.

Kondwani Nakhumwa was the front runner to be runningmate but last minute changes orchestrated by the first lady Gertrude Mutharika resulted into the Chimulirenje pick – which disappointed the rank and file of the party.

Atupele and his father who is chairman of UDF already see APM’s decision to ignore his mate as a boast to their campaign.

This weekend Atupele will be on Times TV’s  popular programme giving more details on why he is running on a UDF ticket

 

Top News

President Mutharika storms Mchinji with promises; Road to May 21 polls

Malawi News Agency (MANA)

Mutharika in Mchinji

By Sarah Munthali

 

Malawi President Peter Mutharika has said government will transform Mchinji into a municipality with complete new infrastructure once re-elected on May 21.

 

Speaking at Mchinji boma on Sunday, when he conducted a whistle stop tour Mutharika said the district will have infrastructure such as a modern market, stadium, and hotels befitting a border town.

 

“Mchinji will have modern infrastructure and it will be developed just like the neighbouring Chipata in Zambia,” he said.

 

The President said once re-elected into power on May 21, 2019, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) will continue developing the central region through provision of basic amenities such as water, hospitals and good roads.

 

Mutharika said government will also construct a new stadium at the boma and rehabilitate Mchinji District Hospital kitchen which was gutted by fire.

Mchinji voters

 

Speaking at Kapiri in the district, the president said government will construct a new Health centre at Kapiri and rehabilitate the Kapiri- Mkanda road.

 

“My government will continue the Malata Subsidy program, the cash transfer program and other programs to support the vulnerable people in society,” he added.

 

Addressing the people at Matutu and Tembwe, the President said government would construct community colleges in all the 193 constituencies in the country.

 

The President then called on people in Mchinji to vote for DPP shadow parliamentarians Esther Majaza for Mchinji North east, Lonzoe Zimba for Mchinji East, Patricia Banda for Mchinji Central and Raymond Sakala for Mchinji South West.

 

He lambasted the opposition parties for opposing everything that his government is doing, saying they have nothing to offer Malawians.

 

DPP Secretary General Grizeldar Jeffrey said time has come for people in the district not to listen to empty promises made by opposition leaders.

 

“DPP has fulfilled its campaign promises in 2014, and our party will do more when re-elected into power on May 21, 2019,” she said.

 

Senior Chiefs Dambe and Mkanda pledged total support to the DPP government, saying it has developed the district through the Mchinji- Chawala Mkanda road, Mkanda rural growth centre, construction of Mchinji Teachers Training College and Malawi rural electrification program.

 

 

Development, Malawi

Malawi Govt to create more opportunities for Youth-President Mutharika

Malawi News Agency (MANA)

Mutharika honoured at ceremony for being Global Chmapion of Youth pic by Tione Andsen (Mana) (1)

President  Peter Mutharika Friday has promised the youth of this country to create opportunities for employment and business in order to reduce poverty and suffering among them.

The President made the promise when he presided over the first Youth Innovation Awards at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.

He said his job as a President is not to fight anyone but to fight the challenges that cause suffering of youth and all Malawians.

The President made the promise when he presided over the first Youth Innovation Awards at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.

He said his job as a President is not to fight anyone but to fight the challenges that cause suffering of youth and all Malawians.

Mutharika assured the youth of his support as a Global Champion for Youth and African Youth.

“I fight poverty! I fight hunger! I fight unemployment and I fight disease. These are the real four enemies of this country. These are my enemies,” the Global Champion for Youth proclaimed.

The President said the country’s economy is improving and give an opportunity to create jobs and new businesses openings thereby reducing unemployment rate in the country mostly among the youth.

Mutharika said government is starting rural industrialization programme in order to create more jobs by establishing rural factories for manufacturing and value addition in agriculture.

“I want the youth to be vanguard of rural industrialization Corporation to finance your industrialization ideas,” he said.

The President said he was delighted to see the gathering of youth, a gathering in the spirit of innovation and patriotism.

“I am inspired to see most of you shaping your own lives and doing things for yourselves instead of waiting for anyone or Government,” he pointed out.

Minister of Labour, Youth, Sports and Manpower Development, Grace Chiumia said the issue of unemployment in the country still remains critical and that government alone could not absorb anyone.

She said the establishment of Community Technical Colleges in the country has provided an opening among the youth to sharpen their skills, create self employment and businesses amongst them.

Chief Executive for National Youth Council of Malawi, Dingiswayo Jere said his organization is striving to make sure that most youth in the country are empowered to be self reliant.

He pointed out that there need to investment more in the youth since the majority of the country’s populations are youth who could positive contribution to national development.

A Youth Representative, Maureen Phiri thanked government for involving the youth of the country to participate in vocational  skills development,  jobs for youth initiative including internship programme.

She said it was pleasing to note that you have directed that those that were on internship should be permanently employed and recruited while some would extend their internship to next year.

President Mutharika was honoured for being Global Youth Champion during the ceremony.

The Awards were presented in the follwinf cateforroies:

Entrepreneurship : Davie Kasenza of Davian Furtunites

Agribusinesses: Emmanuel Banda of Noble Technology

ICT: Yusuf Chimole of Lyne Energy Sys

Environment and Climate change: Emmanuel Chisamba of Intelligent Waste Solution

Health: Griffin Manyaka of Royal Sanitation

Art: Peter Makwana

Human Rights : Educate Her

Job Creator Extraordinaire Award: FISD Limited Company

 

Human Rights, Malawi, Top News

Malawi President Mutharika pledges MK5 million bounty for albino abductors, killers

Maravi Post Reporter

APAM members at Kamuzu Palace

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi President Peter Mutharika has pledged that his government will pay a MK5 million reward for any report leading to the arrest and prosecution of anyone hatching plans to abduct and kill people with Albinism.

 

The pledge has been made on Thursday ( today) when Mutharika met a group of persons with albinism calling itself Poor and Concerned People with Albinism at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe to dialogue on how best to end abductions and killings of people with albinism.

 

The President also disclosed during the meeting that government has procured  3, 000 personal security alarms from Britain to be distributed to persons with albinism.

 

According to the President these gadgets will be able to alert the police for action when the life of a person with albinism is in danger.

 

 

President Mutharika and APAM members

Mutharika has also revealed that he has directed the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to engage a foreign investigator  to uncover markets of human parts taken from people with albinism as a measure to end the problem.

Environment, Law and order, Malawi, Top News

Malawi President Mutharika assents 8 bills, Mines and Minerals law inclusive

Maravi Post Reporter

 

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi President Peter Mutharika has assented to eight bills, including the Mines and Minerals law which is expected to bring sanity in the chaotic mining industry.

The law  replaces the 1981 Mines and Mineral Act which experts say has failed to deal with emerging issues facing the sector.

The proposed Bill which is divided in 20 parts, seeks to regulate the development of mineral resources of Malawi through adherence to sustainable development principles.

Parliament spokesperson Leonard Mengezi has confirmed that the President has assented to the bills.

“What is now remaining is for the bills to be gazetted,” said Mengezi.

Some of the implemented activities include capacity building in mining contract negotiation and development of modern mining agreements.

The Mines and Minerals Act will help regulate the mining industry which has of late been hit by illegal miners.

The Malawi Defence Force soldiers have helped to clear the illegal miners in Namizimu forest.

Foreigners who came from Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania and Democratic Republic of Congo were deported whilst their Malawian counterparts were fined for illegally mining in the forest.

 

Malawi, Top News

Malawi President Mutharika calls for an emergency cabinet meeting over Chimulirenji’s fiasco; cabinet reshuffle imminent

Maravi Post Reporter

little known Everton Chimulirenji choice as Mutharika’s runningmate

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi President Peter Mutharika has  called for an emergency cabinet meeting following disagreements within the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) politburos over little known Everton Chimulirenji choice as Mutharika’s runningmate for May 21 general elections.

Sources within state house confided in this publication disclosed that President Mutharika called the meeting on this coming Thursday February 14 at Sanjika Palace in Blantyre to sort out completely the runningmate fiasco.

“The President has called for emergency cabinet meeting on Thursday at Sanjika Palace at 9 am in Blantyre. The agenda is to sort out ma issues a running mate. If agreements  wont be reached, some ministers are expected to resign later in that day’s evening.

“All ministers who were on duties up north and Central have been forced to cancel their assignments since this is a make or break away cabinet meeting. After, this meeting the President is also expected to have a cabinet reshuffle”, said impeccable source within the State House.

There was no immediate reaction from Mutharika’s press secretary Mgeme Kalirani on the rooming emergency cabinet meeting.

The Maravi Post has been carrying articles on how the mess governing DPP is into soon after Mutharika vied for Chimulirenji as runningmate.

The president’s choice has not gone down well with DPP inner circles including Lhomwe chiefs who think that Chimulirenji is a yardstick for the party’s down fall during the May 21 polls as is a weak runningmate.

DPP Politburos have been blaming First Lady Gertrude and the head of state’s trusted bodyguard Norman Chisale for influencing Mutharika to choose Chimulirenji as runningmate because they have common interests on the presidency, and come from the same home district of Ntcheu.

On Saturday, this publication carried a vox pop (opinion poll) on how popular was Chimulirenji in Ntcheu against Vice President Saulos Chilima who is also UTM party torchbearer for May 21 polls.

Ntcheu residents favored Chilima arguing that Chimulirenji is not known and that cannot bring much needed votes in the district as the home of DPP.

School of thought says unless Chimulirenji resigns, Mutharika will have legal backing to appoint another runningmate which might be accepted by Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC).