Tag Archives: Youth And Society (YAS)

Lifestyle

Prison service tells YAS to redirect request for names of pardoned prisoners

Maravi Post Reporter

By Jones Gadama

The Malawi Prison Service has responded to a request by the Youth and Society (YAS) to publicly disclose the names and case details of the 21 inmates granted clemency during the 2025 Easter Presidential Pardon.

According to the Prison Service, YAS should redirect its request to the presidential advisory committee responsible for pardon, as it is better placed to deal with the matter.

YAS executive director, Charles Kajoloweka, had given the government 15 days to publicly disclose the names and case details of the pardoned prisoners, warning that secrecy on the matter threatens public trust and violates constitutional obligations.

However, National Prison Spokesperson, Steve Meke, argued that the Prison Service is just responsible for the administration and rehabilitation of inmates, and not for deciding who should be pardoned.

“The presidential advisory committee is the one that is better placed to deal with that issue,” Meke said, adding that,”We are just responsible for the administration and rehabilitation of inmates.”

The secrecy surrounding the list of pardoned prisoners has prompted suspicion and speculation that the government intended to pardon some undeserving prisoners and others serving serious crimes.

Many Malawians are eagerly awaiting the release of the list, hoping that it will provide clarity on the matter.

The YAS request is rooted in the belief that transparency and accountability are essential in matters of public interest.

Kajoloweka’s letter to the government emphasized the importance of disclosing the names and case details of the pardoned prisoners, arguing that secrecy on the matter undermines public trust in the government’s decision-making process.

“The public has a right to know who has been pardoned and why,” Kajoloweka said. “Secrecy on this matter threatens to undermine the public’s trust in the government’s ability to make fair and just decisions,”he added.

The issue has sparked a heated debate, with some arguing that the government has a duty to disclose the information, while others believe that the decision to pardon prisoners is a matter of executive discretion.

The Prison Service’s response suggests that the government may be leaning towards maintaining secrecy on the matter.

The presidential advisory committee responsible for pardon is expected to play a crucial role in determining the fate of the request.

If the committee decides to disclose the names and case details of the pardoned prisoners, it would provide much-needed transparency and accountability.

However, if the committee decides to maintain secrecy, it may fuel further speculation and controversy.

As the debate continues, one thing is certain: the issue of presidential pardons is a complex and contentious one.

While the government’s decision to grant clemency to some prisoners may be motivated by a desire to show mercy and compassion, the secrecy surrounding the list has raised more questions than answers.

In a country where the justice system is often criticized for being opaque and biased, the demand for transparency and accountability is understandable.

The government’s response to the YAS request will be closely watched, and its decision will likely have significant implications for public trust in the government’s decision-making process.

The Malawi Prison Service’s response to the YAS request highlights the complexities of the issue.

While the Prison Service may not have the authority to disclose the names and case details of the pardoned prisoners, the YAS request raises important questions about transparency and accountability in government decision-making.

As the matter continues to unfold, one thing is certain: the public’s right to know is an essential component of democratic governance.

The government’s response to the YAS request will be closely watched, and its decision will likely have significant implications for public trust in the government’s decision-making process.

The issue of presidential pardons is a complex and contentious one.

While the government’s decision to grant clemency to some prisoners may be motivated by a desire to show mercy and compassion, the secrecy surrounding the list has raised more questions than answers.

The YAS request for transparency and accountability is understandable, and the government’s response will be closely watched.

corruption, Malawi

Kajoloweka accuses Chakwera of shielding Kapondamgaga, Mkaka from corruptions probe

Maravi Post Reporter 5 Comments

MZUZU-(MaraviPost)-Youth and Society (YAS) on Monday, July 3, 2023, accused President Lazarus Chakwera’s Tonse Alliance government of shielding “former statehouse chief” of staff Prince Kapondamgaga and former cabinet minister Eisenhower Mkaka from being investigated on corruption allegations.

YAS claims that there is heavy political interference in law enforcement agencies fighting against corruption in the country.

YAS executive director Charles Kajoloweka wonders why there is no action on investigations on Kapondamgaga and Mkaka.

Kajoloweka told the news conference in Mzuzu that he has tangible information on how President Chakwera is allegedly interfering in cases including the MK750 million botched Affordable Inputs Program (AIP), NOCMA oil deals, and among others.

Kajoloweka has therefore demanded independence of law enforcement agencies and has condemned selective justice in Chakwera’s Tonse Alliance government.

Tonse Alliance government spokesperson Moses Kunkuyu is yet to respond to Kajoloweka’s claims.

Human Rights

Malawi’s civil rights groups punch holes in the newly appointed boards: Demand reconstitution within 7 days

Richard Kayenda

MZUZU-(MaraviPost)-Some human rights defenders in the country have punched holes in the recently appointed boards of directors, saying the gender composition of the same flouts the Gender Equality Act and have since asked government to reconstitute the affected boards within seven days else they will face a legal battle.

In a letter to the government through their lawyer, Wesley Mwafulirwa, the four organisations, namely; Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC), Youth and Society (YAS), NGO Gender Coordination Network and Women Lawyers Association (WLA) have said, for example, Malawi Environmental Protection Authority (MEPA) with seven additional ex officio members, only two are females.

The letter further indicates that NGO Gender coordination Network made an observation that representation of women in some of the boards falls short of legal and policy frameworks of Malawi’s parastatal organisations.

The organisations, therefore, feel women rights as enshrined in the republican constitution have been violated through the recent appointments.

They, thus, demand government to; among other things, make sure that all the non-complying boards be reconstituted within seven days from Sunday 27th September, 2020 and also see to it that the next appointments of the non-complying boards should comply with their specific enabling laws as well as the Constitution as read with the Gender Equality Act; lest the organisations seek a legal redress.

On Wednesday last week, the Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Zangazanga Chikhosi, announced the newly appointed boards of diretors for 67 parastatal organisations. However, some appointees have turned down the offer on the grounds of gender imbalance in the boards.

Education, Malawi

Malawi activists object opening of schools in the face of Covid-19

Maneno Chimulala

Written by Richard Kayenda

YAS executive director Charles Kajoloweka against opening of schools

MZUZU-(MaraviPost)—Although government and other education stakeholders in the country are of the view that schools should open on 13 July this year, some activists in the country hold a strong objection to the proposal, calling it fatal due to the alarming rate of Covid-19.

In a press statement on Tuesday, the organisations, Youth and Society (YAS) and Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR), have expressed the objection, following government’s recent communication on the decision.

According to YAS Executive Director, Charles Kajoloweka, opening the schools at the current rate of Coronavirus is not dangerous only to the learners but also the whole citizenry.

“In the first place, we would like to express our concern that we are opposing reopening of schools amidst these rising cases of Covid-19. It will be strange, reckless and irresponsible to continue risking the lives of learners as well as the general population,” said Kajoloweka.

Kajoloweka was, however, quick to advise the government and other stakeholders to explore other measures such as online learning as an alternative to help the learners.

Commenting on the sentiments, Independent Schools Association of Malawi (ISAMA) President, Joseph Patel, said his association has reviewed their earlier proposal to have schools reopened and wait for government to advise accordingly.

“So, we are saying because of Covid-19 cases, we have extended the dates until the government make another communication,” Patel said.

Apparently, Kenyan Government has announced that it has completely closed schools until next year due to the same pandemic of Covid-19.

So far, 1877 Malawians have tested positive for the disease and 24 people have died of the same.

Malawi

Malawi’s Human rights activists pen MACRA to shut down MBC

Maneno Chimulala

Written by Richard Kayenda

Human rights activists demand shut down of MBC


Human rights activists in the country have on Tuesday written Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) to immediately suspend provision of broadcasting services by Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (Mbc) Radio and Television, following the beaming of vulgar expletives against the Vice President of Malawi, Dr Saulos Klaus Chiluma.

The activists: Human Rights Defenders Coalition (Hrdc), Youth and Society (YAS), the CCAP Synod of Livingstonia and a Mr Nicely Msowoya, have, through their lawyer, George Jivason Kadzipatike of Jivason and Company, given Macra Friday 15 May, 2020 as deadline to suspend broadcasting services of MBC; failing which they will seek legal redress.

Part of the letter reads: ” MBC is denying our clients and the nation at large their right to credible information and it is leading the country astray, yet Macra does not appear to take any efforts to enforce Communication Act against MBC.

“It is on the foregoing grounds that our clients demand the immediate suspension of provision of broadcasting services by Macra, until such a time that the unprofessional members of staff, including its secretariat and Board are replaced by competent and professional individuals.”

On Monday, 11 May, 2020, MBC TV, during its 7 PM Chichewa bulletin, beamed an explicit material which contained vulgar comments by supporters of DPP-UDF electoral alliance against the Vice President, Dr Saulos Chilima. The public broadcaster has since come under fire from the general public for airing unpalatable contents and for the blatant loss of professional code of conduct.

Law and order, Malawi, Top News

Malawi Supreme Court overturns ruling on MK145million DPP-Police food ration case

Lloyd M’bwana
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The Supreme Court of Malawi in Blantyre on Friday overturned the High Court’s earlier ruling that Youth And Society (YAS) did not have sufficient interest in the MK145 million food rations deal.
YAS executive Director Charles Kajoloweka confirmed the development, Mzuzu-based civil society organisation (CSO) that dragged Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and Pioneer Investments to court and freezing their bank accounts linked to the MK2.7 billion police food rations deal.
Lawyers representing DPP and Pioneer, Frank Mbeta and Chancy Gondwe, had argued in court that YAS was out of its jurisdiction as it has no power to sue on behalf Malawians as Section 98 of the Constitution stipulates that it is only the Attorney General (AG) that has such powers.
But on his part, Theu argued that the AG was in a compromised situation as he is a member of the governing DPP and he is also a party in the case.
YAS executive director Charles Kajoloweka said his institution will fight to the end until Malawians get the truth and justice on the matter.
“Pushing the caravan of accountability is no longer an option,” he said.
Immediately after the High Court ruling by Judge Jack N’riva in August dismissing the CSO in the case on the basis that it has no sufficient interest and cannot sue on behalf of Malawians.
corruption, Law and order, Malawi

Malawi’s CSO YAS loses MK145m DPP-Malawi Police food rations scam case

Lloyd M’bwana
The High Court in Blantyre  on Monday dismissed Youth And Society (YAS) , saying it has no sufficient interest to pursue the case where it dragged Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and Pioneer Investments to court over the K145 million food rations deal.
The ruling comes after the Mzuzu-based YA, through lawyer Bright Theu, obtained a court order freezing bank accounts for DPP and Zameer Karim proprietor of Pioneer Investments, who allegedly benefited from fraudulent transactions in the contract.
But delivering his determination, High Court Judge Jack N’riva said the contract of food rations was between Police and Piooner Investment.
The court agreed with arguments by lawyers representing DPP and Pioneer Investments, Chancy Gondwe and Frank Mbeta respectively, that YAS does not have sufficient interest in it and the case has to be dismissed.
The two argued that according to Section 98 of the Constitution, it is only the Attorney General (AG) who has the power to sue on behalf of Malawians, a development they said shows that the civil society organisation is out of its jurisdiction.
But lawyer representing YAS, Bright Theu, argued that the AG is in a compromised situation to be a likely challenger in taking the case as he has also been sued and that he is part of the same DPP.
Theu has therefore applied for leave to appeal which was granted and that the ruling be set aside until the ruling is heard, meaning the bank accounts which were frozen will remain in that state pending appeal.
In the Civil Case No.215 of 2018, DPP secretary general Grezelder Jeffrey and legal affairs director Charles Mhango are first defendants on their own behalf and members of the DPP; Zameer Karim of Pioneer Investments is second defendant while Innocent Bottomani of Malawi Police Service (MPS) is the third defendant.
On the other hand, Standard Bank plc, National Bank of Malawi, director general of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and former Secretary to Treasury Dr Ronald Mangani are first, second, third and fourth parties cited.
 Malawi’s CSO YAS  loses MK145m DPP-Malawi Police food rations scam
The case follows a leaked Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) investigative report, which claimed that Pioneer overcharged MPS by MK466 million on the basis of 20 percent exchange rate losses that were never incurred nor provided for in the contract.
Shortly after receiving the contract payment, Pioneer paid K145 million from its National Bank account into a DPP account held at Standard Bank.
YAS then took the DPP and Pioneer Investments to court after they failed to pay back the money having demanded such through demand letters on July 17 2018.
But President Peter Mutharika , speaking on taxpayer funded Malawi Broadcasting Corporation’s (MBC)
Talk to the President programme last week said he was not aware that the money may have come from the questionable payout.
The Malawi leader said he is convinced it was an honest donation and further emphasised that it is normal the world over for individuals or firms to donate to parties.