Tag Archives: President Bakili Muluzi

Opinion, Politics

Sundays with Cedrick: THE CHAKWERA PARADOX

Cedrick Ngalande 1 Comment
Chakwera storms capital hill amid civil servants salaries remittance delays– MaraviPost

By Cedrick Ngalande

Here is a small lesson in Malawi Government affairs. There is an office called Department of Human Resource Management and Development (DHRMD).  It is responsible for HR functions of the civil service such as recruitment, training, and promotions. You can think of DHRMD as the HR manager of the Civil Servants.

The DHRMD does not pay salaries. It, however, provides data concerning civil servants and their salaries to the Accountant General’s office, which in turn, is responsible for payment of salaries of civil servants.

The DHRMD is under the office of the President and Cabinet.  This means that, technically, the Principal Secretary responsible for this office is the Secretary to the President and Cabinet (SPC), and the minister responsible for the office is – you guessed right – President Lazarus Chakwera himself.

A couple of days ago President Chakwera, on his way from a road ground-breaking function, decided to go to DHRMD to inquire why civil servants are not being paid on time or at all. He was accompanied by Mr  Zangazanga Chikhosi the SPC,  and Dr Saulosi Chilima, State Vice President who is also minister for Public Sector Reforms.

We do not exactly know why the three gentlemen decided to make this impromptu visit specifically on the way from the other function. Perhaps they had just been made aware of the problem; perhaps they were feeling good in their white polo shirts and wanted to take a jolly ride across town; perhaps it is because the Chairman of the Roads Authority Board had just talked about how useless IFIMIS appears to be.  What we know for sure is that the president claimed that he did not know why civil servants have not been paid.

So, he went to DHRMD and, according to Nyasa Times, he quizzed the controlling officer “on the chronic delays [of salaries] and openly expressed his great displeasure at the delays”.

Chakwera storms capital hill amid civil servants salaries remittance delays

Reminds one of the former President Idi Amin of Uganda who once went to the Reserve Bank of Uganda to demand answers as to why he could not get money for his pet projects. At least Amin had a solution ready. He directed the bank to print more money. Chakwera, on the other hand and in true fashion, just demanded a report.

Did the president really not know what the problems at DHRMD are? As pointed out earlier, he himself and the SPC (who accompanied him) are directly responsible for the affairs in that office. Because of this responsibility, any time the government expects to fail to pay civil servants on time, the president and the SPC would/should know at least 10 days before payday.

So, why did the president and SPC go to DHRMD pretending they do not know the problems there?

What this trip to DHRMD and other recent events tell us is that the government has now resorted to fooling Malawians. In this case, they wanted to create an illusion of a ‘listening president’. After failing to deliver on their promises, they have now started different tactics to create illusions of progress.  The overall strategy is to declare victory where none exists. In fact, as you might have noticed, one of their recent favorite claims is   that the economy is booming or is just about to boom! If you look across the social platforms, you see claims of impending rampant development and booming economy.

One day, several years ago, I was listening to President Bakili Muluzi on the radio. He talked of how his government had reduced inflation and how the economy was doing better. I asked my brother, who is a chartered accountant, whether what the president was saying was true or not.

His answer was insightful. “When the economy gets better”, he said, “you will know when you go to the PTC [supermarkets]”.

I have never forgotten that answer. 

I hope 3 years from now, when the question is asked “Are you better off today than you were in 2019?”, Malawians will remember this wise answer.

Opinion

Mutharika should act on our demands or be toppled

Patseni Mauka 3 Comments

Malawi court grants HRDC’s Anti-Ansah demos in Blantyre…As MDF soldiers assures protesters’ safety

In yet another sign that the persistent demonstrations against numerous evils of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) regime are paying dividends, Mutharika desperately ordered the Malawi Police and Malawi Defence Force (MDF) to use ‘any necessary force’ to stop the demonstrations. Malawi’s worst Minister of Information since 1994 has also joined his demented boss by informing Malawians that ‘no permission will be granted for demonstrations’.

Malawi Govt will ban all demos, a move likely to inflame the IRE of HRDC

Mutharika gave the unconstitutional order at an event marking the launch of MDF ‘warships’ in Mangochi. The order has excited the overzealous DPP paid cadres to the point of conveniently forgetting that this is not the first time Mutharika has issued such threats since Malawians started demonstrating to demand the resignation of MEC chairperson Justice Jane Ansah for presiding over a controversial election.

Mutharika has several times before issued similar threats that were ignored by angry Malawians. On 6th July 2019, a day that marked Malawi’s 55th anniversary of independence from Britain, Mutharika accused the demonstration organizers of plotting to oust ‘his government’ and warned that the organizers ‘will be dealt with severely’. He said, “we will hold each one of them accountable, force will be met by force and this nonsense will come to an end.”

To actualize his threats, Mutharika sent his party cadets on the streets to terrorize protesters in full view of the police. However, professional MDF soldiers saved the day after beating the hell out of the cadets. The cadets coiled back to their masters who sent them to cause havoc. The police also had a try at terrorizing peaceful protesters but a few kicks by MDF soldiers showed them the correct way of doing things.

Then Mutharika tried using former Inspector General of Police, Rodney Jose, to stop the demonstrations. In a shameless show of ignorance and arrogance, Jose ordered Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) to ‘forthwith’ ‘stop convening demonstrations until such a time when it would be possible to convene and hold peaceful demonstrations’.

HRDC ignored the unlawful demand and led angry Malawians in marching in all the major cities in numbers that have never seen before. In all these protests, MDF conducted itself professionally knowing its role as a security agent and appreciating the right to demonstrate as enshrined in the constitution. It’s incredible that Mutharika thinks MDF would behave differently because of his unconstitutional orders.

Mutharika and his party think a president can just issue orders without reference to the constitution. However, a simple chat on these matters with former President Bakili Muluzi would teach him that presidential orders are not indispensable.

The High Court in a judicial review misc. civil cause no. 78 of 2002 ruled that two similar directives made by the former president were unconstitutional. On 28th May 2002 Muluzi issued two directives to the Police and Army to ensure a ban on all forms of demonstration in relation to the constitutional amendment sought to allow the President of the Republic of Malawi to serve unlimited terms.

In his judgement, Justice Twea indicated that the Minister of Home Affairs, the Inspector General and the Army Commander are all subject to the Constitution in the exercise of their power and duties. Justice Twea said, “Section 25 of the Police Act cannot and does not limit the right to demonstrate; it only regulates how such rights, among other things, can be enjoyed. The citizen therefore need only give the Police notice of the assembly etc.”

He further said, “There is no legal requirement that the Police should grant them permission and there is no legal requirement to give notice about who will be addressing or what will be said at the assembly, meeting or procession.” The judge also said according to S.25 of the Police Act, assemblies, meeting or processions at private places do not require Police notice.

He concluded by saying that, “After considering the arguments and submissions before me, I find that there is no law prescribed to limit or restrict the right to assembly and demonstration. I find that the directive of the President at a political rally to limit such rights does not amount to law.”

Therefore, Mutharika’s orders should not be followed by the Police and Army because it is unconstitutional. The statements from the Minister of information should also be ignored. They are unlawful and products of deep lack of knowledge about Malawi laws as well as belief that the executive arm of government can get away with impunity.

Mutharika’s illegal orders and Botomani’s midnight statements show that the temporary government is weak and under pressure. Mutharika is trying to use the ‘strongman’ card used by most African dictators. But it can’t work in Malawi. He saw it working in Zimbabwe a few weeks ago and thinks it can work in Malawi.

Sorry old man, Malawi is not Zimbabwe. Malawi has developed its own kind of democracy. We can protest and speak our mind better than most of the African countries. The laws of Malawi do not allow you to run away from issues by giving unconstitutional orders. You have two choices; act on our demands or be toppled by citizen power!

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article are not necessarily the views of the Publisher or the Editor of Maravi Post

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Opinion

Muluzi serving DPP and personal interests

Patseni Mauka

Malawi is never short of useless political maneuvering that only serves a few people’s pockets and political careers. After the government sponsored live TV crying of Chief Director for public sector reforms in the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) Seodi White and other paid actors, former Malawi President Bakili Muluzi has come up with a new political movie for the entertainment starved Malawians.

Malawians are demanding the resignation of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson, Justice Jane Ansah, for presiding over a rigged and poorly handled election. Street demonstrations have been taking place across the country since the results of the elections were announced in May 2019.

The former president has expressed desire to mediate on the post-election’s issues. In his letter to organizers of the unprecedented demonstrations, Muluzi said, “I feel obliged and duty-bound that we find a solution to curtail the prevailing situation, initiate conversation and dialogue.”

The first meeting between Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) members and Muluzi took place today in Blantyre. According to reports on Zodiak Online Facebook page, Muluzi asked the members to ‘slow down’ and suspend demonstrations which are scheduled on Thursday this week. Muluzi promised to meet Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) President Peter Mutharika on the Jane Ansah resignation demands. However, the HRDC members declined to cancel the demonstrations. So predictable!

This is a Nollywood movie that will yield nothing but entertainment for Malawians and news for the media. By the end of the so-called negotiations, nothing will change. Nothing will be achieved because in any negotiations, you must address the core issues. Most importantly negotiations need the highest decision makers in both camps to be involved, not proxies.

The issues that Malawians want addressed immediately do not require any negotiations. The demand for Jane Ansah to resign does not require negotiations. The demonstrations have shown that millions of Malawians don’t want her to continue chairing MEC. Ansah just needs to resign or be fired. Even Muluzi himself knows that’s the solution.

If Muluzi really wanted to intervene, he could have first met Mutharika and advised him to fire Ansah. Telling Malawians to wait for seven days for him to meet the arrogant Mutharika is a waste of time. It can only work to cool off demonstrator’s spirits, something DPP desperately wants.

But Muluzi has an agenda. The negotiations will make him relevant to Mutharika and the DPP. Yes, Mutharika and DPP, not Malawians. Muluzi has never retired from politics. He is still active. He only changed the mode of doing politics because of consecutive political defeats.

Malawians should be reminded that when his constitutional two terms were about to end, Muluzi sought for a third term and failed. He tried the open term and failed. He tried to rule from the backdoor with Bingu as president, he failed. He tried to claim that he could stand again after two terms and a one term break, but he failed again.

He supported Malawi Congress Party’s (MCP) John Tembo for president and failed. He tried his son Atupele in 2014 and failed. In the 2014 general elections, Atupele Muluzi campaigned on the popular message of ‘agenda for change’ but joined the ‘no change team’ of DPP in a governing coalition after losing the elections. To serve the senior Muluzi’s interests, Atupele was quietly loyal to corrupt Mutharika for five years.

After failing to get what his father wanted in the numerous alliances talks that he held with DPP and other parties, Atupele stood for president this year and failed again. Because Muluzi has always pushed for his personal interests without regard to the consequences of his actions on UDF, the party has moved from eighty-five members of parliament in 1994 to ten in 2019.

Since UDF got weaker in the 2019 elections and his son lost his seat in parliament, Muluzi has no bargaining power to remain relevant. The call for negotiations is just a quest to be relevant to DPP. You don’t have to trust my analysis. Just look at who is excited with the negotiations! It’s DPP! They know they will buy time and let the heat cool off.

Muluzi’s current political maneuvering has three goals. To save himself from the corruption trial, get Atupele a job and use the remains of UDF as a bargaining power to get what he wants. Muluzi is currently answering fraud charges of K1.7 billion ($12 million) which was deposited in his personal account during his presidency. The government alleges the money was public funds diverted to the former president’s personal account. Muluzi’s goal is to have his corruption case dropped by government. He is therefore stuck with DPP.

Muluzi has one more interest; to make sure that no person from the central and northern regions ever rule Malawi. This is one of the most unfortunate reasons why he covertly supports Mutharika. Any Malawian can become President if he is qualified, has ability to improve the economy and has the interest of Malawians at heart. Regionalism should always be condemned.

Muluzi’s call for negotiations is not in the interest of peace. It’s a delaying tactic to give DPP breathing space and achieve personal objectives. Such greed and time wasting should not be tolerated. Jane Ansah must resign without wasting time on unnecessary negotiations. Besides, there are people with more credibility than Muluzi who can hold real talks on the other electoral issues that Malawians are concerned with.

Law and order

Malawi to hang Albino Killer Willard Mikaele

Ufulu

Mutharika and
Malawian President Peter Mutharika (left), has met with a group of people with albinism. Photo: Official Malawi Government Online, Facebook

Willard Mikaele, a 28-year-old Thyolo man who brutally murdered an albino teenager Mphatso Pensulo, 19, in 2017, will be hanged after the High Court sentenced him to death, signaling a tough stance Malawi is undertaking after a re-surgence of albino attacks.

Mikaele had killed Pensulo in order to use his body parts in rituals that would get him rich, using a Mozambican witchdoctor.

“The motive behind the killing was as devilish as it is primitive. He planned to kill an albino so as to get rich fast as advised by a herbalist,” High Court Judge Maclean Kamwambe, said in his sentencing of the accused. State prosecutors had asked for the death sentence.

“I want to agree with the State that death sentence is appropriate as it reflects a sense of justice in the circumstances,” the Judge said.

Kamwambe said the public will feel relieved with the death sentence “after so much anxiety.”

“A message should be sent to would-be offenders that once arrested [and tried], they should expect a stern punishment of death.”

Nobody has been hanged in Malawi since the country’s first multi-party poll in 1994 after former President Bakili Muluzi refused to sign for death warrants. He commuted all death warrants to life imprisonment.

“I am watching with keen interest, what seems like an awakening on the part of the government of Malawi vis-a-vis the terrible crime spree that has been going on in the country against persons with albinism,” Ikponwosa Ero, the United Nations expert on albinism, was quoted by international media.

Malawi has seen a spike in violent attacks on people with albinism (PWA) since late 2014.

In many cases those with albinism are targeted for their body parts to be used in witchcraft rituals meant to bring wealth and luck.
President Peter Mutharika in March appointed a commission of inquiry to stem the tide of atrocities faced by PWAs and announced a raft of tough measures that may lead to the root of the vice and find perpetrators who have eluded all intelligence networks to be nabbed.

Malawi has an estimated 10,000 PWAs, but since 2014, up to 150 cases, 25 murders and scores of abductions have been recorded by APAM, leading to a United Nations expert to warn in 2016 that witchcraft threatens the PWAs with extinction and the situation “constitutes an emergency and a crisis disturbing in its proportions.”

PWAs—who have a hereditary genetic condition which causes a total absence of pigmentation in the skin, hair and eyes– are targeted because of beliefs that their body parts can increase wealth, make businesses prosper or facilitate employment.

The Mutharika’s administration has since rolled out the K3.1 billion and 2018-2022 National Action Plan on the killings and abductions of PWAs.

As part of the plan, the President announced some of the following key directives and interventions:

. Government will set up a commission of inquiry and procure 3,000 personal security alarms to be distributed to PWAs to alert police when faced with abduction threats.

. A K5 million reward awaits anyone who can provide police with information leading to the arrest and prosecution of people to abduct or kill PWAs.

. Malawi will engage foreign investigators to probe the whereabouts of the body markets from PWAs.

Several opposition politicians have ramped on the PWAs plight to promise safety and end of the killings once voted into power, but Mutharika said: “No one should use people with albinism for political campaign.”

“It’s an evil act and inhumane, it reduces the dignity of our fellow citizens with albinism. I repeat…stop politicising albino killings and let us join hands to protect them,” the President said.

“It is a tragedy that has befallen us that needs collective solutions. We will not be able to solve the current problems by finger pointing.”

Ero warned in 2016 that PWAs in Malawi render them “an endangered group facing a risk of systematic extinction over time if nothing is done to stem the tide.”

Ero, a Nigerian national and herself a PWA, said the “frequent involvement of close relatives in cases of attacks is highly disturbing and persons with albinism are unable to trust even those who are supposed to care and protect them.”

She added: “Even in death, they do not rest in peace as their remains are robbed from graveyards. Attacks against a few of them constitute a danger to all of them.”

Source: MBC Online

District News

Fear of Blood Sucking Creatures and Subsequent Violence in Malawi has resulted in five deaths, forcing out U.N.

MaraviPost

Despite assurances from Ministers Mussa and Dausi that there a simple explanation behind the blood sucking incidences in the Thyolo area, stating that the people behind the attacks are out to score political points. The International community in Malawi is very fearful and many are taking steps to close or reduce their presence in certain parts of the country.

 

The fears of blood sucking or Fears of vampire like behavior in Malawi which has inspired mob violence that has left at least five dead since mid-September has caused the United Nations to pull out of two districts in the southern part of the country as was reported by the Maravi Post. Continue reading Fear of Blood Sucking Creatures and Subsequent Violence in Malawi has resulted in five deaths, forcing out U.N. →