Tag Archives: Tonse admin

Environment, Law and order, Lifestyle

Chakwera’s Tonse admin bans charcoal usage without alternative

Maravi Post Reporter
MRA Mandated to confiscate charcoal

By Thandie Chadzandiyani

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The President Lazarus Chakwera’s Tonse government through department of forest and natural resources on June 9, 2021 issued a memo that prohibits the production, sell and use of charcoal accordance with the forestry amendment Act (2019).

The department has mandated Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) to confiscate charcoal in all roads across the country.

The decision was made without providing alternative sources of energy as most houses in Malawi use charcoal for cooking.

This is also arrived when gas, electricity tariffs are high following tax increases on them.

The development has attracted public criticism over unrealistic decision on already volatile society which is struggling access to basic needs.

Benison Betha, a charcoal seller Machinjiri Blantyre complains, “I’m not good at anything than producing and selling charcoal, main reason being its the only source of income in my family, if I stop this that means my family is going to starve, they have to reconsider this decision”.

“Am not saying what we do is illegal but we have no choice unless they give us an alternative”, she demanded

The government has put in measures on how to deal with anyone found in possession of any forest product being firewood or animals.

Another concerned charcoal user at Area 36 in Lilongwe Clara Mkunga chipped in, “It’s either Charcoal or firewood that I can manage to purchase, electricity is too much expensive for me to be using it for cooking, so if they are banning the usage of these things they have to give me something else to cook with”.

Mathews Malata the environmental expert said; “it is true we have a problem in charcoal usage in Malawi, most of the charcoal we see in the market is irregularly produced, which has really caused a problem as we are clearing our forest more faster than we are replacing them. If we don’t do anything about this, end result is disaster”.

The department however has instructed all officers, particularly officers at the road blocks, that pursuant to section 21 of the customs and excise Act, all illegal forestry related goods should be confiscated and surrendered to relevant authorities.

“We don’t want Malawi to become a desert that is why we are trying to control the situation now and promote the use of other ways like gas banners” says Malata.

Malawi plans to replace 4.5 million hectares of land with trees by 2030 which the pace they are covering now is not convincing because it is more expensive.

About 13% of Malawi population use electricity leaving the rest of the population surviving.

Malawi, Politics

Payback! Chakwera rewards militant HRDC leaders with ambassadorial posts

Maravi Post Reporter
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HRDC leadership rewarded for fight against Mutharika and DPP

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Reports reaching this publication show that President Lazarus Chakwera’s Tonse government is planning to pay back those helped him to ascend to the presidency by rewarding them with ambassadorial posts.

Chakwera’s trusted and most vocal leaders of the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) are earmarked for diplomatic missions.

The Maravi Post understands that Tonse government has made appointments of HRDC leaders including Luke Tembo, Billy Mayaya, Happy Mhango and Macdonald Sembereka—who accepted verbal offers but are yet to be confirmed by Parliament—to various foreign missions.

The move which some analysts have described as President Chakwera’s Tonse-Alliance-led administration’s way of stifling dissent.

Mtambo was roped in as cabinet minister in the Chakwera government, and is still Minister of Civic Education and National Unity.

This publication also understands that HRDC chairperson, Gift Trapence, was also offered a posting but rejected it.

Inside sources told The Maravi Post that Tembo, who is HRDC national coordinator has been assigned to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia while Mhango, regional chairperson for the northern region is set to go to Germany.

Sembereka is earmarked for Washington DC in the USA while Mayaya has been assigned to Brussels in Belgium.

Mayaya to Brussels but no official communication yet but said had heard about the rumours.

“I don’t know. I am just hearing the rumours,” said Mhango. On the other hand, Mayaya said: “I have no concrete information about it. There has been no official communication to me. But I have heard the rumours.”

However, Wonderful Mkhutche, a Lilongwe-based socio-political analyst, said it was normal that such a development would arise sooner than later.

“There are indeed rumours that some HRDC members have been appointed to go to foreign embassies. HRDC being one of the organizations that made political turnovers after the May 2019 elections, which gave way to the present Tonse Alliance-led government, it is normal for people to see it as a reward for their actions.

“But we must understand that the HRDC leaders are like all other citizens who are qualified for the job. We must, therefore, dwell much on how they will execute their new rumoured roles, based on their experience and knowledge.

“However, we must also not keep a blind eye to the fact that this is a political reward. This is unlike what was promised during the campaign. But above this, our attention must be on the capabilities of those appointed,” said Mkhutche.

HRDC championed for nullification of the May 21 tripartite election presidential poll and a subsequent June 23 2020 fresh presidential election in which Chakwera’s Malawi Congress Party (MCP), vice president Saulos Chilima’s UTM and nine other parties partnered to oust Peter Mutharika and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) from power.

Business, Malawi, Politics

Dissecting Chakwera’s Tonse 2021/2022 national budget

Rick Dzida
Finance Minister Felix Mlusu

By Rick Dzida

It is my belief that you have thoroughly read the 2021/2022 budget. You may have your own analysis of this budget depending on your knowledge, patriotism and political affiliation.

Missing links in the budget

  1. It is an unrealistic budget because the exchange rate for a dollar is already over MK900 while the minister of finance projects it at MK780. With Covid-19 effects and inflation, there is no way Malawian currency can appreciate contrary to the wishes of the Minister of Finance, opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Joseph Mwanaamveka argues.
  2. The budget is debt-ridden with a deficit of MK811.70 billion.
  3. The budget is consumptive. 71% of the total budget is for recurrent expenditure while only 29% for development.
  4. The budget is not aligned with Vision 2063. Only few pillars of Vision 2063 have been addressed in the budget.
  5. Not enough funds were allocated to ADMARC, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education.
  6. Government has not negotiated better prices for tobacco farmers.
  7. Only a few 2,700 groups benefited from NEEF funds.
  8. There are no 900 health posts in the budget contrary to the claims made by President Lazarus Chakwera in his State of National Address (SONA). Was he just trying to hoodwink Malawians?
  9. There is no mention of many campaign promises in the budget such as monthly stipend of MK15,000 to elderly, free water and electricity connection, mega farms, bullet train etc… Is Tonse Alliance government serious? Kapena akuzetenga ngati zamasanje?
  10. 90% of people who lost jobs are from Southern and Eastern regions. Where is unity or servant leadership Reverend Chakwera is preaching?
  11. In a cabinet of 31 members, only 60 % are from one district – Lilongwe. Nepotism, tribalism and ethnocentrism have just shifted from DPP camp to Malawi Congress Party (MCP) camp. No mindset change contrary to what is preached in Vision 2063.

Recommendations

  1. Increase funding to ACB.
  2. ACB must further investigate the misappropriation of COVID 19 funds and NOCMA fuel scandal.
  3. Enact policies that empower indigenous Malawians so that they can invest in small businesses.
  4. Government must cut down unnecessary international trips as part of austere measures to cut down cost. It was exorbitant and lavish spending when Mkaka chartered a private plane amid financial woes Malawi is facing.
  5. Government must reduce international borrowing to mitigate huge public debts
  6. Government must find means to stabilise the cost of essential commodities such as cooking oil, bus fares, bread rather reducing the price of opaque and malt beer. Abusa a Chakwera mwatani kodi?
  7. Relax the restrictive NEEF collaterals so that loans should benefit the real disadvantaged local Malawians.
  8. Government must implement policies that ensure that 60% of government contracts are awarded to indigenous Malawians.
  9. Government must construct many community colleges
  10. Government must not only concentrate on Affordable Input Programme (AIP) but it should also consider other areas such as climate change, irrigation development, livestock production etc…
  11. Increase more funding allocation to the Ministry of Education, Agriculture and Health
  12. Diversify sources of power supply such as coal, solar etc…
  13. NEEF funds must benefit all Malawians not only MCP members.
  14. Government must indicate the actual time when duty free week, free and water connection, cheap passports will be implemented. Osamangolubwa
  15. There is already $3, 000 duty free waiver and therefore Government must just raise it $6,000. Otherwise Tonse Alliance Government is just hoodwinking its citizens on duty free week.

[Source : A response to the budget by DPP and UDF Finance spokespersons]

About the Author: Rick DZIDA is a social media and political commentator and send feedback to rdzida@gmx.com

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article are those of the author not necessarily of The Maravi Post or Editor

Lifestyle, Politics

Chakwera’ saliva for petty trips, events blowing over MK20m taxpayers’ money daily

Maravi Post Reporter
Tame your saliva for outings, Mr President

By Nenenji Mlangeni

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-President Lazarus Chakwera must tame his appetite for petty trips, functions, events that are costing taxpayers money.

Chakwera is on week in week out on unnecessary tours with heavy entourage without mercy of blowing huge some of money which could have been used to cushion rising cost of basic items including cooking oil, fuel, sugar, soap, electricity and water.

He is setting a bad precedent in Tonse government of doing what his predecessors used to anger Malawians which voted them out of power.

Since ascendancy to Presidency June 2020, Chakwera has been in and out with local and international trips, events which he could delegate his vice Saulos Chilima or any cabinet minister.

Just this week, The President has traveled to Mangochi to preside over two functions on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 15-16, 2021, the event his veep and ministers could handle.

Chakwera on petty trips

President Chakwera who is also Malawi Congress Party (MCP) leader when he was in opposition, was vocal for nothing when his predecessors made similar unnecessary trips that cost Malawians heavily.

According to former State House aid during Peter Mutharika reign, any trip, event, function head make outside Kamuzu Palace, Lilongwe cost Malawians about MK20 million.

Lilongwe residents welcome Chakwera in Mangochi as Covid-19 measures ignored

The former aid disclosed that the money is usually used for allowances and fuel for him team that accompany the President.

“But now with the cost of living, the President blows now over MK20 million daily supporting all advance and escorting team. With week in week out trips Chakwera has made, taxpayers money is being used for nothing.

“Chakwera must mindful that other events, functions, trips are not worthy of his presence. He must think of the money being spent on these petty trips he making,” worried former State House aid.

Another concerned citizen chipped in, ” At list he has better things to do than busy moving up and down the country making speeches for what ? instead of. Going into the office making phone calls to investors and donors for development ,bas akaone nyanja bas”.

Chakwera is slowly loosing public trust over unfulfilled promises coupled with skyrocketing basic needs including fuel, water, soap, sugar, cooking, electricity and among others.

Lifestyle, Opinion

The Big-Mouthed: Pa Ground sipali bwino!

Richard Kayenda
CDEDI on Chakwera’s head

MZUZU-(MaraviPost)-The common colloquial expression which seems to be the new kid on the block is partly in one of the local languages, Chichewa and partly in English and it goes: ‘Pa ground sipali bwino’

Whatever such a cliché means is subjective depending on the situation one’s life is going through. However, based on what the expression literally means, one is evidently able to deduce it even further and apply it to the unimaginably scathing situations Malawians are currently going through.

To someone, the expression is used to refer to the economic challenges that their life is being subjected to. Speaking without mincing words, most people; both the youths and the adults are passing through unspeakable economic hardships.

For the youths, the situation is even bitterer whenever they remember the fact that a year ago, a million of them was promised jobs by the incumbent political leadership, but to date no tangible results are seen on the ground; if not more unattainable promises which are now thrown to as far away as 2063.

Truthfully speaking, most youths in the country; both those with employability and those without it but with other talents and the physical abilities to do some menial works for a living, are living a very despicable life. So many graduates from virtually all professions are busy gallivanting on the streets in search of jobs but to no hope.

In public schools; both primary and secondary, there are no adequate teachers to balance the teacher learner ratio. But what is now boggling the mind is that even the primary school teachers will have to first undergo interviews for them to have a job in the public schools. Perhaps this development is part of the most touted public sector reforms. Be what it may, the development is not reflective of the situation on the ground.

The education standards in the country are miserably dwindling because of; among other factors, lack of well trained and competent teachers in schools at all levels. Imagine a primary school with classes from 1 to 8, having only four teachers? The only sin it committed is that it was located at a hard to reach, rural area and so no one wishes to stay and work there.

Additionally, the authorities at the district council level has no more teachers to deploy at such work places. As much as the situation on the ground is like that, if the government had the passion to employ more of them, the local councils would have a wider pool of human resources to tap from and deploy them evenly across the board.

The cost of living, on the other hand, is skyrocketing every passing day. The prices of consumables and charges other essential services are unaffordably going up each day and it is more shocking to note that the political leadership seems not to notice the sad unfolding.

Lest we forget, one social media influencer, Manice Abiti William Dawood wrote on her Facebook page and I quote her verbatim: “Boma la PP, linapita chifukwa anthu anali ndi nkwiyo wa Cashgate ( The Peoples Party – PP led government was voted out of power because it angered people with the cash gate scandal). Boma la DPP linapita chifukwa anthu anali ndi mikwiyo yambiri ( The Democratic Progressive Party – DPP led government lost its leadership for it angered the voters in several ways). Boma la TONSE ARE LIARS, be careful, anthu ambiri ali ndi mikwiyo ( many people are angry), you are repeating the same sins DPP and PP did. Mukulembana ntchito nokhanonkha (you are employing one another based on cronyism) interviews just for formality.

“Mukuyambilanso zokuba ndalama ku ma Parastatal organization cholinga muzipanga fund zipani zina muyike mthumba (You are further defrauding government parastatals so as to fund political allies). No matter how much you steal for campaign in 2025, anthu akakwiya akwiya, no amount of bribery will work. This thing ‘Pa ground sipalali bwino’ might seem like a joke, but it’s true, anthu akuvutika ( People out there are starving.”

Verily verily I say unto the current leadership, the play field is not level, but you are the hope of Malawians and so please, do not let them down!

Education, Law and order, Lifestyle, Malawi

Desperate Chakwera’s Tonse Govt obtains court injunction against Malawi teachers’ sit-in

Maravi Post Reporter
Previous meeting between TUM and government officials

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-In a desperate coupled with threats and intimidation President Lazarus Chakwera’s Tonse government on Thursday, April 8, 2021 obtained court injunction stopping teachers in public schools to continue with national-wide stay away from work.

The Maravi Post understands that Tonse government has obtained an injunction directly against Teachers Union of Malawi (TUM).

Willy Malimba TUM President has confirmed being served with court order.

Malimba however expressed surprise to the injunction which was served to TUM immediately the leadership came out of the meeting it had with government representatives.

“TUM is surprised that government was at the court busy with the injunction when the meeting they arranged was still in progress.,” baffled Malimba.

Malimba added that the meeting TUM had with government representative today went well and they agreed to meet again tomorrow for final stances.

“With the court order in place the meeting wont take place tomorrow as planned,” says Malimba.

Gospel Kazako, Tonse government spokesperson and Minister of Information asked for more time before commenting on the matter.

The country’s Freedom of worship and attendants rights (FOWAM) on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 expressed worrisome over President Chakwera’s Tonse alliance government for failing to handle serious issues affecting Malawians including prolonged teachers strikes over unpaid Covid-19 risk allowances.

“Tonse Alliance Govt has failed Malawian voters over prolonged teachers strike”-Prophet Mbewe

Lifestyle, Malawi

President Chakwera’s Tonse admin fumbles on job creation: As Labour Minister Kandodo stammers

Richard Kayenda
Kandodo stammers on One million Jobs creation

MZUZU-(MaraviPost)-President Lazarus Chakwera Tonse administration seems unable to create one million jobs in under the first one year of its rule as per its campaign manifesto, Ministry of Labour says it has identified several sectors in which it will unlock job opportunities.

Speaking to Members of Parliament on Monday, March 22, 2021 Minister responsible, Ken Kandodo, said his ministry wishes to explore the mining sector; among others, to create jobs if responsible companies help in exploring areas with mineral deposits in the country.

“We have had several factors that really made it difficult for the economy to create one million jobs in that time. Mostly I would cite the issue of Covid-19 pandemic which not only affected Malawi, but has affected every economy in the world. You are aware that many countries went on lockdown for periods of time and that also affected movement of goods; imports and exports, and this country l, our businesses, many of them require raw materials and other things which they import from other countries,” explained Kandodo.

The minister’s remarks come at a time when most Malawians; particularly the youth, seem to have lost hope as unemployment levels seem to be alarmingly on the rise despite the Tonse Alliance led government promising during the run up to the 2020 fresh presidential election campaign that it will create one million jobs within its first one year in power.

As Kandodo stammers, it still remains to be seen if the government will fulfill the one million job campaign promise as the world at large grapples with the realities of the incessant Covid-19 pandemic.