LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Some of the country’s civil rights group leaders have disputed claims that their meeting with President Lazarus Chakwera was to suffocate civil society organisations (CSOs) work.
The rights groups’ leaders told the news conference on Thursday, September 29, 2022 that engagement with President Chakwera’s Tonse Alliance administration was a right decision for moving the nation forward.
CSOs for leadership engagement than demos
Phillip Kamangirah of Center for Mindset Change (CMC) hinted that directly continuous engaging the country’s leadership will have great impact on serious issues affecting Malawians.
“Demonstration, vigils are not helping to solve prevailing social economic challenges but direct engagement with the country’s leadership.
“We want always to face country’s leadership directly on what are doing on challenges instead of going to streets. This does not mean we cant have demonstration. Demos should be the last resort,” says Kamangirah.
Echoing on the same, the group’s leader Oliva Nakoma said after meeting Chakwera there was a call for including some CSOs in government parastatals to address nepotism, politicking,
“We have about 66 parastatal board that most appointments are political that create unfavorable conditions for the agencies to deliver. With including of CSOs will act as oversight inside the boards than operating outside.
“So if you see some of CSOs leaders are included in boards, don’t be surprised that’s want we asked president Chakwera to do,” says Nakoma.
He however disclosed that the grouping has already engage Agriculture Minister Robin Lowe on key issues including Affordable Inputs Program (AIP), Admarc retrenchment of junior staff, progress on the tractor-gate for action.
This comes barely a day after another demos by Brian Longwe and Redson Mnulo flopped in Lilongwe on Wednesday, September 28, 2022.
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Nine chiefs along side their subjects have openly told President Lazarus Chakwera’s Tonse government to swiftly start rehabilitating Mark-Bangula railway section for economic boom activities.
The two districts’ residents told the news conference on Saturday, March 19, 2022 at Nsanje boma that project’s delays is denying them good and cheap access to goods and services transportation when trading.
They hinted that are tired of any dilly-daring of the projects that economic activities came to stand still for years.
CMC with communities for quick Marka-Bangula railway section rehabilitation
The demands comes after Ministry of Transport and Public works transparently awarded China Railway 20 (CR20) contract to design, upgrade and rehabilitate the railway section between Marka and Bangula project.
This comes after Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) stopped Mota-Engil from the project for contractual fraud coupled with overpricing.
ACB therefore ordered re-adverting the project for new bidders excluding Mota-Engil which was awarded at the tune of MK48.2 billion.
Awarding contract to CR20 has not gone well with Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) without tangible reasons.
But chiefs and residents in two districts are itching for the kick start of the project.
“No one should dare to come here stopping the project. We are tired and sick on any delays in rehabilitating the railways which used to be our economic hub connections. This project is for all Malawians not only people of Nsanje and Chikwawa,” Traditional Authority (T.A) N’gabu.
TA Makoko chipped in, “After learning that government has finally awarded the contract CR20 for the project, we were excited that work be done now not later. We are satisfied with the contract to do the work”.
Centre for Mindset Change (CMC) which has been engaging, following and championing the project for the past year through various means echoes with chiefs and resident for the quick start of the project’s rehabilitation.
CMC Executive Director Phillip Kamangira denounces any political agenda towards implementation of the project that communities be enjoying economic activities
“The Centre for Mindset Change (CMC) is deeply saddened with some ill minded Malawians who are busy politicizing the Railway Project that will boost the economic gains of the people of Nsanje and Chikwawa. We are aware that other purported corrupt individuals are being sponsored by a Cathedral of Thieves to disturb the root of development for the people of Lower Shire.
“Having messed up things in this country through gaining of dubious contracts that were previously awarded to them, they have become facilitators and sponsors of bad campaign and sabotage too against all sets of development put across by the current administration,” says Kamangirah.
He added, “We would like to point out to the fact that, every Malawian deserves good life regardless of their ethnicity background, political affiliation, religion or race. This contradicts section 19 of the Republican Constitution that talks about Equality.Against this background, CMC wishes to inform the people of Nsanje and Chikwawa that as far as matters of development are concerned for this very beautiful part of Malawi, we shall stand firm in making sure that whatever development has been provided for by the Government of Malawi is fully executed without political interference from either agents of opposition parties, individual interests, members of the ruling party or any other reason.
“This is why today, we call upon government through the Ministry of Transport and Public Works to quickly start the rehabilitation of the Marka Bangula Railway section project. This project will go very far in reducing unemployment rate of the youth in Nsanje and Chikwawa among others. Let us all join hands in making sure that this project starts as soon as possible for the benefit of the people of Nsanje, Chikwawa and indeed everyone as a citizen of this country”.
Kamangirah however disclosed that his organisation will write ministry of transport to fast track project rehabilitation in line with communities demands.
Marka Bangula Railway section connects Beira in Mozambique where good and services are expected to transported cheaply.
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s The Centre for Mindset Change (CMC) and Centre for Democracy Watch (CDW) have challenged Malawi Parliament to repeal the law that protects the sitting president from prosecution.
The duo observe that the nation cannot successfully win the battle against corruption unless Section 91 of the Constitution of Malawi is amended to allow for the prosecution of sitting Heads of State in any civil and criminal proceedings.
CMC Executive Director Phillip Kamangirah and CDW National Coordinator, Levi Luwemba told the joint press conference on Thursday, February 24, 2022 in the capital Lilobgwe that section 91is the source of the problems hampering the operations of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
Kamangirah and Luwemba observed that due to “too much powers the sitting Head of State has, he can easily overstep his authority to interfere in the operations of the Bureau.”
Kamangira (in necktie) and Luwemba for President immunity removal
“The Office of the Anti-Corruption Bureau has been taken and hijacked by politicians who have looted and are continuously looting public resources through animated means of corruption.
“We are bleeding as a people when we see poor infrastructure development and social services due to corruption and yet nobody is able to see that our hearts are heavy with this bleeding. We strongly believe that corruption is the enemy of development and of good governance. It must be got rid of at all cost,” reads the statement in part.
Kamangirah and Luwemba have urged the government and citizens themselves to come together to defend ACB Director General, Martha Chizuma, against the intimidation from corruption suspects.
“Corruption is a cancer that steals from the poor, eats away at governance and moral fiber and destroys trust. It eventually guilt the corrupt and it hardens the innocent who suffer as a result of it. As a country we have suffered enough and now is time for us to rise and defend our resources from the “Cathedral of Thieves” who have over the years established their agents and perpetrators to suffocate innocent Malawians through corruption.
Kamangirah and Luwemba have also called upon the leadership of the country to make sure that office is protected and ensure that politicians stay away from interfering with the Office of the ACB in any way.
“We call upon Judiciary to execute justice as required; we call upon all Malawians to stand together in the fight against corruption; we are not renting this country. It is for us today and those generations to come. Let us defend our resources from heartless thieves. Let us defend our democracy,” they concluded.
The call comes barely a few days after State House issued statement warning staff members of wrongly using President Chakwera’s name soliciting funds, properties for personal interests.
The move has not gone well with Malawians who are demanding names of those in the wrong using Chakwera’s name.
Kamangirah in the middle -Wants Mota-Angil contracts be stopped
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s civil right group under the banner body under the banner Center for Mindset Change (CMC) on Tuesday, October 5, 2021 continued exposing Mota-Engil Africa for shoddy and unfinished Malawi government infrastructure projects while the company keeps on ballooning contracts prices against initial agreements.
CMC told the news conference in the capital Lilongwe that Mota-Engil has the past three years fail to meet contractual agreement of completing projects while exceeding contract prices without remorse.
The grouping is worried with authorities for continual awarding Mota-Engil contracts amid taxpayers monies gone down the drawn.
CMC Executive Director Phillip Kamangirah cited the MK MK48.2 billion (US$74 million Marka-Bngula Railway Section Rehabilitation which contract price will go up.
Kamangirah also questioned the legality of the evaluation committee that awarded Mota-Engil without serious scrutiny.
“The Marka -Bangula Railway Rehabilitation has not yet started and no price was ballooned. We only believe that the price in the bidding is lower but there are possibilities of raiding the price when they start work. The ballooned price is for CEAR which ended up terminating the contract,” observes Kamangirah.
He has therefore given the committee 24 hours to refund the allowances it pocketed in Salima when evaluating a shoddy contract awarding to Mota-Engil.
“Mota-Engil got a project from Central East and Africa Railways (CEAR) at contract price of US$70, 035, 427.94. But as of last year (2020) the contract amount had ballooned to US$74, 021, 600.41. This means the contract price has exceeded by US$3,986, 172.47.
“Now, that’s not all, all this has happened when physical progress of works on the site are at 53%. The project is only half way through the contract but the contract amount has been already been exceeded. The exciting, yet not good thing is that the awarded price for Mota-Engil was the like lowest bidder but with the revised contract amount, they are higher than other contractors, ” observes Kamangirah
He adds, “We stand with the concerned contractors that lodged a complaint to Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Marka-Bangula Railway contract. They are justified to complain to ACB and not ministry of transport and public works. We agree with the concerned contractors that there was suspected favoritism in the way the alleged bid winner was awarded this project.
“We agree with the concerned contractors that the alleged bid winner;Mota-Engil has a tendency of hiding things to look like a lowest bidder and only bring them up during the construction stage. We urge all government institutions to safeguard our tax by scrutinizing such deals when evaluating bids”.
Kamangira therefore assured the nation with serious exposure of shoddy deals which local and international companies are being awarded warning that “Turning point is now for exposing corrupt individuals, companies that are reaping from the poors hard earned taxes”.
“We want all contracts that were dubiously awarded to Mota-Engil be revised and cancelled that taxpayers money be saved for the purpose,” he urges.
Mota-Engil has been refusing to comment on matter since it started coming out a month ago.
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s civil right group Centre for Mindset Change (CMC) on Tuesday, September 7, 2021 vowed to name and shame politicians, government officials who are in a cartel of conniving with embattled Mota Engil, the firm being awarded construction contracts amid concerns over their incompetency.
The grouping says is geared up to expose ills of former governing Democratic Progress Party (DPP) and current President Lazarus Chakwera’s Tonse government officials involved into corruptions.
CMC assurance comes amid reports that is being threatened by government officials and politicians who benefit from Mota Engil dubious contracts awards.
Address the news conference in the capital Lilongwe CMC Executive Director Phillip Kamangirah expressed show on unpalatable phones calls from politicians and government official of questioning him as why his organisation is pinning down Mota Engil.
Kamangirah observes that involvement of politicians and government officials on his organisation’s quest to expose corruption means that there is cartel Mota Engil is advancing.
He therefore vowed to name and shame those conniving with the company until the vice is rooted completely in the construction industry.
“I have been receiving numerous calls from both previous regime and President Chakwera’s government cabinet ministers as to why our organisation is exposing Mota Engil’s ills. But I told them all that Malawians taxes need to be protected from corrupt companies amid social economic turmoils.
“If these politicians and government official keeps on threatening, we will have no choice but to name and shame them for the public to see their evil deeds. We will not be threatened and intimidated,” he assures.
Kamangirah disclosed that his organisation has penned Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to thoroughly investigate Roads Authority and Mota Engil on how some roads projects’ contracts amount have been increased astronomically against initial contract agreements.
He cited road projects funds ballooned against initial contract agreement including Area 49-Area 18 Parliament Roundabout and Interchange from MK6.68 billion to MK14.37 billion representing 115% increase, Lirangwe-Chingale Namatunu-Machinga road from MK5.34 billion to MK8.7 billion with 63% rise.
The grouping also named projects whose contracts amounts have been depleted while under construction with less than 50% of works completed including Njakwa-Livingstonia, Phwezi-Phwamphwa and Livingstonia Mission Loop Road of 75 kilometers that only 23kms work done but MK36.2 billion used already against MK39.8 billion contract agreement.
“As an organisation, we are very concerned as all this only involves one contract, Motal Engil. We suspect corruption and systematic system of siphoning our hard earned taxes through construction projects. Our suspicion is cemented by the fact that an audit report by Scott Wilson revealed that variations to the contractor were instituted and implemented without proper documentation and approvals. And the supervising consultant was faulted for certifying payments prior to approvals of variations orders.
“CMC therefore calls upon office of ACB to investigate on audit report’s findings after observing irregularities on how Mota-Engil gets projects and how the contract prices are ballooned while other roads projects are left without completion,” dares Kamangirah.
Kamangirah added that Mota Engil has questionable competence following complaints that the company did not complete some of the projects it was awards previously.
ACB on September 3, stopped the Ministry of Transport and Public Works from awarding MK48 billion contract to Mota Engil for the upgrading of Marka-Bangula railway over corruption allegations.
Mota Engil has been refusing to comment on the matter over corruption allegation on government contracts award.
CMC executive director Phillip Kamangira second from left
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-One of the country’s watchdogs Centre for Mindset Change (CMC) is challenging President Lazarus Chakwera Tonse’s government to nullify the contract awarded Mota Engil to design, upgrade and rehabilitate railway section between Marka and Bangula worthy MK48 billion.
CMC has challenged Mota Engil’s performance record including corrupting our democracy through political party funding
The grouping observes that Mota Engil has questionable competence following complaints that the company did not complete some of the projects it was awards previously.
According to the letter dated January 11, 2021 the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) gave a go ahead to the Director General of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA) to use ‘single sourcing method’ to the Ministry of Transport and Public Works to engage Mota Engil Africa to design, upgrade and rehabilitate the said railway section.
In the notification of intention to award contract, the Internal Procurement and Disposal Committee of the Ministry of Transport and Public Works says it has awarded the contract REFNO. MTPW/IPDC/DORS/01/2020-2021 to Mota Engil at the cost of MK48, 244, 861, 524.98.
Other companies that bade are Rail Construction/Malbro of Malawi at K60.4 billion, China Civil Engineering Construction at approximately MK79.8 billion and ABD/G01den Star/Lennin JV of Malawi/Republic of South Africa at MK95.6 billion.
Chairperson of the Internal Procurement and Disposal of Assets at the ministry challenged unsuccessful bidders wishing to request for a debriefing session may submit their request in writing to the address below before close of business on 10th September 2021.
This is prompted CMC to call for nullification of the contract award arguing that the conduct has questionable rationale of giving a ‘Not Objection” to a single source to an open tender.
CMC executive director Phillip Kamangirah told the news conference in the capital Lilongwe on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 that his grouping has given government seven days to nullify the contract failing which will seek legal assistance over the matter.
Kamangirah further questioned the rationale of awarding Mota Engil Africa the contract amid concerns that the company has not completed a number of projects it was awarded previously.
He has also asked ACB to probe the matter further on suspicion of corruption between government officials and Mota Engil on the contract award.
“CMC is calling for a nullification of this award of contract to Mota Engil and that the Ministry of Transport and Public Works should withdraw its intention to continue with project immediately and unconditionally.
We call upon the ACB to intervene in this matter in order to discover grounds and the basis as to why the Ministry of Transport and Public works decided to go ahead awarding the contract to Mota Engil when its competent is questionable. We are giving the government of Malawi a 7 day ultimatum to withdraw and nullify this project,” dares Kamangirah.
There was no immediate reaction from Transport Ministry after several attempts on the matter.
Below is CMC full statement:
CALL FOR NULLIFICATION OF AWARD OF RAILWAY REHABILITATION CONTRACT TO MOTA ENGIL DUE TO ITS QUESTIONABLE COMPETENT
GUIDED by our private morality, a personal call to the service of our country MINDFUL of our civic duties RECOGNIZING the need for organized leadership and stewardship for the proper conduct and practice of our affairs AFFIRMING our responsibility in each generation to make our faith in ourselves its own in reality, in honesty of thought and expression, and in purity of heart ACKNOWLEDGING as our right and duty to be concerned with the socioeconomic welfare of our country.
The Centre for Mindset change is saddened by the news confirming that Government of Malawi has awarded another contract to Mota Engil to rehabilitate the Marka- Bangula Railway Section amidst questionable competent of the contractor.
It is reported that the total of has been awarded to MOTA ENGIL for this work.
We are aware that Malawi terminated MK5bn Mota Engil contract for Nyika Road.
We are aware that in January, 2020 government was questioned for favoring Mota Engil to the level of monopoly.
We are aware that the same Mota Engil claimed that Roads Authority owe them a MK96bn.
We are aware that in March, 2021, Government of Malawi fired Mota Engil amidst wasting MK1.7bn.
We are aware that in February, 2021 there was a call for Forensic Audit on Mota Engil over MK77bn.
Against this background CMC is calling for a nullification of this award of contract to Mota Engil and that the Ministry of Transport and Public Works should withdraw its intention to continue with project immediately and unconditionally.
We call upon the ACB to intervene in this matter in order to discover grounds and the basis as to why the Ministry of Transport and Public works decided to go ahead awarding the contract to Mota Engil when its competent is questionable.
We are giving the government of Malawi a 7 day ultimatum to withdraw and nullify this project.
CMC Executive Director Phillip Kamangirah bites Chakwerahard
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s civil rights group Centre for Mindset Change (CMC) is strongly depressed by the level of Political and Leadership malnutrition, state impunity, deceitfulness, executive arrogance and indecisiveness that is demonstrated by the Tonse Alliance under the Leadership of President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera.
The grouping has challenged President Chakwera to prove his servant leadership notion on MK6.2 billion Covid-19 funds abuses, State House with Crossroads Hotel gate.
In a press statement made available to The Maravi Post dated April 6, 2021 and signed by CMC Executive Director Phillip Kamangirah observes that “Malawians are beginning to ask tough questions – are our aspirations within the political spheres of the current leaders? Are we the focus of attention on matters of the country or consolidation of power is all that matters?”
Below is CMC full statement:
STATE IMPUNITY, EXECUTIVE ARROGANCE AND INDECISIVENESS IS A DEMONSTRATION OF FAILED AND MALNOURISHED LEADERSHIP
Worrying signals are coming in. It would appear that Malawi is on the cross roads. The steps that we were cherishing to have taken forward are apparently in the reverse gear.
Just as early as now, we Malawians are beginning to ask tough questions – are our aspirations within the political spheres of the current leaders? Are we the focus of attention on matters of the country or consolidation of power is all that matters?
Centre for Mindset Change (CMC) is strongly depressed by the level of Political and Leadership malnutrition, state impunity, deceitfulness, executive arrogance and indecisiveness that is demonstrated by the Tonse Alliance under the Leadership of President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera.
We are disturbed with behavior of the current administration on how sheer conceitedly it has become. The Tonse administration under President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera is running the country with spurious features. This is sad for our hard grossed democracy.
LEADERSHIP CARELESSNESS ON COVID 19 AND CONTINUED FAILURE TO RESOLVE THE DIFFERENCES WITH TUM
We continue to be in disbelief that our leaders are prioritizing politics instead of human life. We regret to see how the COVID 19 issue between government and teachers is failing to die.
Our children are suffering as they cannot enjoy their right to education any more. Is it because those children that are suffering from this trauma are those from poor families? Is it because you are on the What if your children were victims of this situation, could you have left this matter unresolved until now?
We call upon our leaders to take a bold decision in granting back to our children their right to education through responsible means to resolving their differences with Teachers Union of Malawi (TUM) within 48 hours and that our children should go back to school.
CORRUPTION AND STATE IMPUNITY
We are baffled with the recent development on the abuse of the MK6.2 Billion Covid funds that were recklessly and insensitively mismanaged within the last 6 months. It was pleasing to note that President Dr. Chakwera promised Malawians that his administration will do everything possible to recover this money and bring the perpetrators of this theft to book. Alas: all he is doing is rubber-stamping the people of Malawi in his actions so that we may feel something is happening. To the contrary, this money is failing to be accounted for.
The given period for reports submission is expired, what is the President doing? All we have seen is the suspension of District Commissioners and other few Civil Servants from DODMA. What about Cabinet Ministers that are directly involved in the stealing of MK6.2 billion? Mr. President, good speeches are not good enough to fight corruption. American English is not the license for good leadership. We need leaders who can deliver.
CONTINUED POLITICAL PERSECUTION
You promised unity, yet the country is more divided than before. You promised justice for all, today its selective justice. The Tonse administration has become a failure at birth. This is hypocrisy. We continue to register our disappointment in the manner the former Head of State Peter Mutharika continues to be politically harassed and persecuted through government institutions like ACB, Courts and the media. Mutharika deserves the dignity that we all require. We are aware of the Preservation Order in which over 20 senior members of the DPP are targeted.
Our memories are very fresh that this is exactly what happened during Kamuzu era.People’s property was confiscated, later they were detained and finally killed. This is exactly what this administration intend to be doing. We cannot watch this happening in our time. We cannot afford to see this happening in this democratic dispensation. Give people their freedom.
Do not use political differences to punish others. Free Mutharika and others from this persecution. It is hypocrisy of the highest order revealed by Tonse Alliance Government under the leadership of Dr. Lazarus Chakwera when they choose to deafer all what they promised during campaign and instead opted for lying. This is running the country with bogus characteristics.
INABILITY, INDECISIVENESS AND TRIBALISM
Revelations on failing to institute Cabinet after informing Malawians on the same a few days ago simply demonstrates the inability to make decisions on the part of the President. The excuses given are not just childish in nature; they also entail the demonstration of malnourished leadership that is amidst us. The finger pointing and criss-crossing from the Office of the President to that of the Vice President, is naturally awkward and can never be taken seriously.
President Dr. Chakwera has in many occasions failed to make decisions. One good example is that appointment of Chancellor Kaferapanjira as Presidential advisor and at the same time serving as the CEO for Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
It is further believed that most of the people appointed in his cabinet are from one region. Is this not tribalism? Did you not previously stand on moral ground condemning your predecessor? What is wrong with your administration so that you practiced what you strongly condemned?
OUR CALL TO ACTION
The President should tell MALAWIANS who are the people involved in corruption saga in the MK6.2 Billion and at State House with Crossroads Hotel and allow ACB to investigate them President Chakwera should fire his Chancellor Kaferapanjira with immediate effect Free Mutharika from Political persecution Above all, President Chakwera and his administration should start fulfilling their promises to Malawians.
CONCLUSION In our unrelenting struggle to protect the Constitution and the people of Malawi, we shall stand and continue defending our democracy unconditionally without being intimidated in any way by any political grouping, and that we shall galvanize our efforts until sanity, peace as well as stability returns and restored in our beloved country.
Signed by Philip Kamangirah, CMC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Kamangirah addressing the media on November 26, 2020
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera’s Tonse administration has been accused of gross of incompetency in handling nationals affairs just five months in power.
President Chakwera is being accused of sugar coating leadership style including unfulfilled campaign promises, selective justice,nepotism corruption tendencies among his cabinet ministers and relations and among other.
Concerned citizens chairperson Phillip Kamangirah told the news conference on Thursday, November 26, 2020 that his grouping is not satisfied with Chakwera type of leadership, dashing hopes for better Malawi.
Kamangira says the grouping will continue pressing hard for good governance in Chakwera’s Tonse administration.
“We keep on remaining a country loaded with promises that are never fulfilled. All we are seeing is the hankering appetite for reforms that are at best selective when it comes to implementation. It would appear therefore that the battle against the monster of corruption is targeted in its sweeping power. While others are victimised without providing detailed reasons why they are being treated in such a manner, others are treated with kid gloves and if anything, provided VIP treatment.
“We will never get tired of seeking answers. We will never only be eloquent in silence. We will raise our voices until we are heard and responses, convincing responses are accorded to us. For Malawi we shall live and if need there be, die for,” fumes Kamangirah.
Below is the full CONCERNED CITIZENS PRESS STATEMENT:
TIME TO SAFEGUARD OUR DEMOCRACY FROM CAPTURE THROUGH ELEMENTS OF SELECTIVE JUSTICE, RECKLESS TENDENCIES, FAKE PROMISES AND CORRUPTION
SELECTIVE JUSTICE
We keep on remaining a country loaded with promises that are never fulfilled. All we are seeing is the hankering appetite for reforms that are at best selective when it comes to implementation. It would appear therefore that the battle against the monster of corruption is targeted in its sweeping power. While others are victimised without providing detailed reasons why they are being treated in such a manner, others are treated with kid gloves and if anything, provided VIP treatment.
It is time that we Malawians now have to start questioning some of the things happening in our beloved country. In the Malawi that belongs to Tonse we all ought to be treated equally as citizens of the motherland, the only place we can call home. What is justice if its wheels can only roll fast in one direction and take the snails’ pace in another direction?
Malawians have seen the primitive aspect of selective justiceclenching its teeth in the century of progress and fairness. The Anti -Corruption Bureau has swiftly managed to freeze the economic lifeline of the former Head of State Prof Arthur Peter Mutharika without any explanation to Malawians of any financial crimes he committed that deserve such humiliation and economic deprivation. This takes place while painfully we Malawians see a K5 billion suspect in the alleged cement saga Mr. Chunara walking comfortably along the roads of Malawi. There is no record of his economic lifeline being choked, yet same government, different treatment. The Tonse government we were promised is getting riddled with selective justice. Has justice lost its meaning and touch? Has justice decided to crucify itself on the cross of choosing faces and political patronage?
Is the fight against fraud and corruption probably being used as a silent weapon for crushing political opponents? Practical aspects on the ground can tell.
2. CORRUPTION
Now we have to draw daggers against the corruption busting body in the country. There have been allegations of corruptpractices within the corridors of the state house related to hosting of some people at Crossroads hotel. Don’t we Malawians deserve to be appraised on the progress made? Have our resources not been spent on matters that have no benefit to the common man? We ask ACB and other associated policing entities, what does it take for them to wear the face of bravery to treat all people equally? Can the wheels only roll when it is to deal with and vandalize the image of opposition-linked personalities?
We had the impression that the Anti -Corruption Bureau would be freed from the yoke of one sided view of corruption aspects. What do we tell the nation? What do we tell generations to come of our commitment to curb corruption? How slippery has corruption become to those whose hands are sunk deep in the sand of political power? ACB, we need answers. This nation needs enlightenment. We will not go to sleep when justice is lochcoatingselectively.
3. FAKE PROMISES
The Concerned Citizens call for accountability. Reforms entail taking responsibility for failures. It does not take a Jewish prophet to prophecy that the AIP program has at best been nothing but lip service. Our mothers and children are sleeping on the open floor with the hope that they will access at least two bags of fertiliser, braving the wind, braving hunger, and braving walking long distances. All they reap is shame and cynicism. We cannot keep on treating the noble sons and daughters of Malawi that way. Malawians deserve an apology for the torture they are encountering.
4. RECKLESS TENDENCIES AND DISRESPECT FOR THE RULE OF LAW
The Concerned Citizens further want answers. The leader of the country has travelled to at least 5 countries since taking the gearshifts of power slightly a100 days ago. It has been the expectation of the nation that through the weekly press briefings Malawians will be kept abreast of what has transpired at these international meetings. Alas, there is total silence in that regard. Why the blanket silence? All that shocks us now is that an entourage of 66 people was part of the South African trip. Truth be told, we are one of the least developed countries on earth and our president chairs that league yet we have the audacity of living a Lamborghini lifestyle while we are managing a Sienta economy. We better come to terms with reality. We better preach and live austerity. Malawi is for everyone and those entrusted with our meagre resources ought to use them in total reflection of the needs of this great but poor nation.
We ask, and we will keep on asking, why a big delegation to SouthAfrica from one of the poorest countries on earth? We ask, and we ask again and again, is there anything good to celebrate from the trip? We ask and we ask again, will the common man in Nsundwe, Njuyu, Thekerani, Thambani, Marka and any corner of Malawi cherish that the trip has had any iota of improvement to his or her well-being? We need answers and answers we should have.
The time for mere talk is over now. Our people in the Tonse administered country deserve to be accorded alternatives whenever changes are taking place. We mourn with the vendors in Limbe, Lilongwe and Mzuzu whose sources of living have been ransacked. If anything, we are crushing down the Micro and small and medium enterprises. We have wielded the panga to kill the economic dreams of people that earn a miserable living on the streets. We provide them no alternatives but brag at how best we have starved them. Not long ago, these were the people that were according us political patronage on the streets. Not long ago we promised to make lives better for them. We have discarded them just after tasting the sweetness of power. We ask, what has happened to the dreams of the poorest of the poor, the voiceless whose crime is to be on the streets to sell any little thing they can? Their hearts are bleeding. The hearts of Malawians are bleeding. The Concerned Citizens are bleeding with them. We need answers.
The appetite for mere talk and to be seen to be progressive only in words but with no practical matches on the ground has seen MEDF renamed into NEEF. In all fairness, all that Malawians have witnessed is the mere naming. Our people still wait for the loans and now the measures effected are that stringent to the extent that loans accessibility would be the preserve of the elite. Is this what we meant by changing the name? Is this all the reason for suspending the entire management? Is it just amere ploy to lope in cronies and hand clappers?
Is the one million jobs philosophy being implemented through retrenching others and bringing in cronies and political sympathisers? Is our Tonse the Tonseof philosophy or political patronage? We need answers on NEEF. The feeling is that MEDF was better responsive to needs of the people than the theoretical NEEF.
We will never relent to on matters pertaining to the ‘holy’ and ‘almighty’ judiciary. We still call for the judiciary thatwill be impartial to all people regardless of their being in government or having deeper pockets. Weneed the judiciary where even cases of the uncounted are given the attention. While there is a backlog of many cases in courts, we see other cases running at supersonic speed and we ask,do the other cases not deservethe attention of the judiciary? We Malawians that have little understanding of legal matters better be lectured as we are noticing discrepancies that are difficult to comprehend. The 1st and 2nd petitioners in the presidential case have been compensated with a whooping K4 billion yet the assessment from the Registrar was that they be compensated with K7.6 billion in the first place. What is this mathematics that we the poor and voiceless can hardly comprehend? Is it rocket science mathematics? We demand answers and our voices will never be muted until we get andindeed answers we will get.
We will never get tired of seeking answers. We will never only be eloquent in silence. We will raise our voices until we are heard and responses, convincing responses are accorded to us. For Malawi we shall live and if need there be, die for.
SIGNED BY:Philip Kamangirah, CONCERNED CITIZEN CHAIRPERSON
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s civil rights grouping Centre for Mindset Change (CMC) and Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) are demanding thorough investigation on the alleged rub of plunder at Malawi Statehouse of MK65 million spent on bogus accommodation at Crossroads roads hotel in the capital Lilongwe.
The call comes after The Maravi Post on Sunday, October 18, 2020 exclusively exposed public funds in just four month of President Lazarus Chakwera’s Tonse administration.
The two groupings say the act in which the State House has been involved into the public is a worrying matter needs urgent attention.
CMC Executive director Phillip Kamangirah told The Maravi Post that the grouping is baffled with allegations of theft masterminded by State House Officials under the watch of President Lazarus Chakwera who above all is the anointed man of God who should he exemplary
“As a nation we are already passing through very harsh economic times and it is very insensitive and reckless to see State House leading in defrauding Public Money amidst such hard moments Malawians are passing through.
“We are therefore calling upon President Lazarus Chakwera to take a very tough and bold step in firing those implicated within 24 hours if he is to demonstrate mature leadership that is on the move to zero tolerance in the fight against corruption,” says Kamangirah.
He therefore urges, ‘We also call upon ACB to move with speed and arrest all those officials that are involved and they must quickly secure conviction on the same. This is a matter if urgency and therefore it requires a serious attention.
“As Centre for Mindset Change, we shall not relent in following up this matter up until we see its conclusion. We cant afford to tolerate hypocrisy any more. We have been defrauded enough as a people. We must safeguard our taxes and State House should be the hope for Malawi. President Chakwera must therefore tell Malawians on the action he is taking on this evil plunder of Public money unconsciously and irresponsibly by his State House Officials.
Echoed on the same, CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiawa says President Chakwera should explain the incident to Malawians what this means.
“President Chakwera told Malawians he is clearing the rubble now how serious should he be taken in his crackdown on corruption when the same is happening right from his own house? This matter should be investigated and culprits should be prosecuted.
“The Independence of the ACB Director Reyneck Matemba and Inspector General George Kainja has been put to a litmus test here they should act to assure Malawians or else they sweep it under the carpet then Malawians will judge,” urges Namiwa.
There is still no immediate reaction from State House Spokesperson Brian Banda on the matter.
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera and his deputy Saulos Chilima have been taken to task to justify on MK7 billion electoral legal fees claims.
The duo was awarded the money following 2019 presidential election case victory that also took them into leadership.
But the legal fees awarding has face backlash from some quarters of the society including the grouping under the banner, “Concerned Citizens”.
In a press statement released on August 21, 2020 and available to The Maravi post the grouping is demanding for justice and accountability on the MK7 billion legal fees describing it as “Judicial looting”.
“The MK7 billion award in legal fees to Dr. Chilima and Dr. Chakwera (referred to as 1st Petitioner and 2nd Petitioner) respectively is not just reflecting on bad leadership, it is also a sign of corrupt government which is stealing tax-payers money through unjustifiable means.
“To be specific, the whole deal seems to be very suspicious and it reads like “wachiona ndani”.The beneficiaries of this looting are the ones in leadership. Dr. Chakwera is the President and Dr. Chilima the Vice, while the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General were also part of the legal team in the case,” reads part of the statement signed by its Chairperson Phillip Kamangirah.
The statement adds, “In justifying our dissatisfaction on the proposed MK7 Billion to a self -acclaimed Servant Leadership of the Tonse Alliance under the leadership of Dr. Chakwera: Let this impunity stop, Let this looting stop, Let this Court Gate stop.
“Account for this claim or else forget about this shameless pure theft. We shall stand to protect our money from being stolen through judicial looting on an industrial scale”.
However, Chakwera’s Executive Assistant Sean Kampondeni justified the legal fees award saying it was worthy it.
Below is the full statement:
DEMAND FOR JUSTICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY ON THE MK7 BILLION “JUDICIAL LOOTING”
There comes a time when mortality must take the initiative to reflect on its conduct. For too long, Africa has been a scar on the conscious of humanity. We cannot afford to be living an illusionary life.
The time for reflection is now, in the interest of the common man, in the interest of the government and indeed for the wellbeing of future generations that should find the world we live in today in a better place than we found it in.
Our decisions today must not only be in the professional interest of our needs but also the sustainability of generations to come.
As Concerned Citizens, we blatantly believe that professionals are best suited to lead in making decisions that are rational.
Professionalism would lose its salt if it estranges itself from the social contract it has with the people through demands that are ridiculous, disgraceful and implausible beyond the understanding of the common man that it serves.
Further beyond, professionalism demands accountability and indeed at this moment we are underpinning the need for accountability in the legal profession.
“This is not justice”
The MK7 billion award in legal fees to Dr. Chilima and Dr. Chakwera (referred to as 1st Petitioner and 2nd Petitioner) respectively is not just reflecting on bad leadership, it is also a sign of corrupt government which is stealing tax-payers money through unjustifiable means.
To be specific, the whole deal seems to be very suspicious and it reads like “wachiona ndani”.
The beneficiaries of this looting are the ones in leadership. Dr. Chakwera is the President and Dr. Chilima the Vice, while the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General were also part of the legal team in the case.
Surprisingly, the same Minister of Justice and the Attorney General are the ones to authorize this payment. Is this not a ploy to defraud government through this judicial looting?
We are aware that government already spent about MK254, 000, 000 on the same case at High Court and another MK120, 000,000 in the Supreme Court.
We as Concerned Citizens can hardly understanding the mathematics that derived at such a figure within a space of months under the common denominator of legal fees.
Our understanding is that the legal team of the two parties comprised of less than 20 learned colleagues.
Indeed per the guidance on legal fees as stipulated in the Taxation Bill within the judiciary which, among many other great aspects, details how much a lawyer should be paid. In simple terms legal counsels have to be paid as follows:
Legal Counsels with less than 10 years’ experience are paid MK30 000 per hour
Legal Counsels that h been in practice above 10 years are paid MK40 000 per hour
Senior Counsels are paid K55 000 per hour. In the light of the provisions noted in the Taxation Bill, humanity doubts how could, within a space of less than a year, accumulated hours of less than 20 lawyers balloon to MK7 billion.
This in all fairness is outrageous and people may not be that highly wrong to be thinking and labeling that such an act is merely ‘a judicial looting on an industrial scale.’
We look at the figure in the light of how this explains that indeed accessing justice would then remain the preserve of the elite. Can a common man be well represented in a court of law and expect to survive the choking legal fees?
Is it indeed sensible that in one of the poorest economies on earth, a third world country, our learned colleagues have the luxury of charging first world professional fees?
As citizens we have a stake in the affairs of this country and we will unstoppably weigh in with our voice on state and non- state actors whenever we feel that some elements seem not to resonate with the development path that this country is travelling on.
Manifestly, we demand that our learned colleagues that had the mathematical computation of coming up with the K7 billion legal fee – the record breaking fee in the country – be accountable and produce a charge sheet that explains in detail all elements that bring up this ominous and obscene figure.
No profession is beyond human scrutiny and we believe without any iota of doubt that the legal profession which is at the heart of ensuring that justice and the rule of law are adhered to, will, in the interest of economic justice, come up in the open and be accountable to the people of the country.
The resources they have to be paid from are public resources hence no need for clandestine billing that falls short of accountability before the very same public.
We call upon the Malawi Law Society to ensure that the legal profession is not put in disrepute through outrageous, inflated and unjustifiable legal fees.
The legal profession has since time immemorial be reputable and respected and such ideals need not be watered down with legal fees which none can hardly understand and appreciate.
What Malawi are we billing? What professionalism are we inculcating in generations to come? What Malawi shall we live behind in the years to come? Wisdom says it all, if your success is for you alone then it is not success.
True success is for everybody. Let outrageous legal fees fall. Let stealthy billing for services delivery fall. Let justice be reached by all through reasonable fees.
As long as legal counsels charge professional fees that are beyond the rich of the citizens then the profession will cease to serve the people it ought to.
It is imperative that we also clarify that this matter be de-politicized and that politics be a vehicle for developing our motherland and seeing to it that our dreams of a better life are well safeguarded and supported.
Representing political parties and personalities should not be a highway to fees that only hide beneath a spirit of self-enrichment.
Let political decisions made be in the light of the finances of the country. Let legal fees charged be reasonable and in line with the taxation bill.
We have one Malawi for us all and its resources are for us all. It makes no sense that professional lead in the looting masquerading as professional delivery of services.
In justifying our dissatisfaction on the proposed MK7 Billion to a self -acclaimed Servant Leadership of the Tonse Alliance under the leadership of Dr. Chakwera: Let this impunity stop, Let this looting stop, Let this Court Gate stop.
Account for this claim or else forget about this shameless pure theft. We shall stand to protect our money from being stolen through judicial looting on an industrial scale.
In conclusion
We call upon the Anti- Corruption Bureau to investigate this matter and get the root cause of such an obscene and ridiculous payment in the name of legal fees when in real sense, this is not justice.
It is wachiona ndani. We all have the duty to promote transparency and accountability and therefore Dr. Chilima and Dr. Chakwera must lead by example as servant leaders.
We further appeal to all religious bodies to help us in this fight for justice. The injustice has been generated by the judiciary and we doubt if we can depend on the judiciary to deliver justice. Signed; Philip Kamangirah The statement has been endorsed by Concerned Citizens of Malawi Cc: All Media Houses All Religious Bodies All Heads Diplomatic Missions Anti- Corruption Bureau
Malawi breaking news and World News. News about Malawi, Malawi Business, Malawi Tourism, Malawi Politics, Malawi News, World and Africa Top News.
