Malawi police said in Lilongwe on Friday that they had arrested a Kenyan national caught illegally processing UK visas for entry into Britain.
Assistant Superintendent Emily Kaludzu said Mike Njoroge Mwangi (32 years) was arrested after a tip off from the public that he was tricking Malawians travelling to the UK, telling them that he could process their travel documents illegally.
Kaludzu said the suspect has been charged with three counts of illegal entry into Malawi, illegal possession of foreign currencies and illegal possession of Malawian passports with different names on them.
"The suspect is still in custody waiting to appear in any day next week," she said.
Kaludzu added that after searching his house, the police confiscated nine Malawian passports, 227,000 kwacha (US$1,500), 50 euros and US$7,500 – the latter two in foreign currencies.
Friday, 13 July 2007
Finding sense from Malawi’s Parliamentary madness
Events surrounding “section 65” have been coming in such dizzying torrents that attempts to make sense out of the arguments seem like rocket science. It is in the midst of this riotous and electrifying gale that I find myself. And I have to navigate through this maze, make sense of these twisted and tangled tongues of “politicians” from both sides of the so called “honourable” house, so I can write reasonably coherently, while trying to balance rationalism and emotism or confuse one for the other. Here I am attempting to walk this tight rope, to navigate this delicate terrain with studied steps, because it is very easy for one to be swept by the overwhelming and direct effect of these events. Regrettably, it would seem that some of our political leaders are at serious pains with this balancing act, so much so that they may have allowed their emotions and egos to run away with them.
Yes, we are in the dispensation of liberty and freedom - freedom of expression and all that. Yes, we are deeply incensed by the perfidy that is “Section 65” and the overall attitude of our politicians towards the Supreme Courts interpretation of it. But that is not sufficient to write off our constitution and or give it up to the dogs. Agreed that some things may be wrong in the constitution, but that does not in any way suggest its uselessness. Even for the fact that it has been amended several times in its 13 year history, it is still better than other constitutions, should be enough to show that the Malawi Constitution has some redeeming qualities still. At such a period in a nation’s history, the enlightened, the knowledgeable are called to duty; they have a responsibility to show direction and give hope to their less empowered brothers and sisters. I want to believe that the enlightened are the conscience of the people, the vicarious agents of the people’s unspoken yearnings and resolves.
Yes, the politicians and the executive may have been blatant in their ways and means, and that the rest of us are less so is not enough to acquit us of our own guilt. If anything, our role has been most insidious. It is “we” who give essential strategic support and sometimes prods. So, as critics of the system and analysts of events and happenings, we should know where to draw the line; when patriotism is in dire straits and the nation requiring of our enlightenment and our knowledge. Malawi ’s failings, if we begin to locate them, cannot be said to be that of the politicians alone. The “citizenry” cannot extricate itself from these failings. Any honest examination of the anatomy of Malawi ’s problems, then and now, should start from the self. We all should ask ourselves this simple question: in what ways have I contributed to where Malawi is today? One of the easiest things to do is to put the blame on the next person, which is unfortunate really.
It is my belief that we as a nation often take “pride” in pointing out Malawi ’s faults and expect others to deal with them. I wish for once we could take pride in being Malawian and stop the “fad of downgrading and bashing anything Malawian”. Malawi is our country and Malawi ’s faults are ours to fix not to curse. It is in light of that conviction that I have noted that there has been too much emphasis in Malawi on protecting individual political rights and neglecting the people’s economic rights. This more so demonstrated in the current “deadlock” in parliament, where the political rights of about 70 individuals to be or not to be in parliament seem to be prioritised above the economic rights of over 12 million Malawians.
The Malawi Constitution is an economic document as well as a political document. The framers of the constitution believed that economic freedom as well as political freedom is essential for national prosperity and growth. Accordingly, they included numerous provisions in the Constitution that support and encourage the operation of a market economy. Thus, as the basic "law of the land," the Malawi Constitution defines the essential features of our economy.
Chapter IV of the constitution of Malawi has some fundamental human rights that are of economic orientation. These include the following:
Every person shall be able to acquire property alone or in association with others
No person shall be arbitrarily deprived of property
Every person shall have the right freely to engage in economic activity, to work and to pursue a livelihood anywhere in Malawi
All persons and peoples have a right to development and therefore to the enjoyment of economic, social, cultural and political development and women, children and the disabled in particular shall be given special consideration in the application of this right.
The State shall take all necessary measures for the realization of the right to development. Such measures shall include, amongst other things, equality of opportunity for all in their access to basic resources, education, health services, food, shelter, employment and infrastructure.
The State shall take measures to introduce reforms aimed at eradicating social injustices and inequalities.
The State has a responsibility to respect the right to development and to justify its policies in accordance with this responsibility.
Every person shall have the right to fair and safe labour practices and to fair remuneration.
All persons shall have the right to form and join trade unions or not to form or join trade unions.
Every person shall be entitled to fair wages and equal remuneration for work of equal value without distinction or discrimination of any kind, in particular on basis of gender, disability or race.
The State shall take measures to ensure the right to withdraw labour.
However, it seems to me that there has not been enough economic analysis of our constitution to the extent that people sometimes forget that the constitution gives them economic rights that are no less important than their political rights. An economic analysis of our constitution could go a long way to expand the scope of public constitutional debates by offering more perspectives on how changes in rules of the “political” game may affect rational political behaviour and the resulting performance democratic governments for both the social and economic welfare of its citizens.
Let us take the current situation in Malawi and make a simple economic implication of the speaker declaring the 70 or so seats vacant and then as the leader of the opposition wishes the rest of the members of parliament debate and decide the budgetary allocation for the next fiscal year. We know that in Malawi, the problem with public goods is that of excess demand and in the context of Malawi where different MPs represent different constituents. If a new road would yield benefits of say 1 million Malawi Kwacha to everyone in Chirazulo and could be built by a tax that cost everyone in Malawi 1 Malawi kwacha, then the people in Chirazulo would like their MP in parliament to advocate for this road during this budget debate.
When the parliament is then controlled by a coalition which represents a coalition of only remaining MPs, these MPs may rationally vote for public goods that benefit their constituents without taking account of the tax burden these local public goods will impose on the constituents who will have no representation in parliament during this debate.
Once we understand that the remaining MPs in parliament will tend to ignore interest of those constituents whose MPs are not in parliament, we can find a strong argument to justify that the constitution enshrined economic rights of those constituents have been violated. The question I can not answer as an economist is whether this makes legal sense and whether it could stand in a court of law.
Yes, we are in the dispensation of liberty and freedom - freedom of expression and all that. Yes, we are deeply incensed by the perfidy that is “Section 65” and the overall attitude of our politicians towards the Supreme Courts interpretation of it. But that is not sufficient to write off our constitution and or give it up to the dogs. Agreed that some things may be wrong in the constitution, but that does not in any way suggest its uselessness. Even for the fact that it has been amended several times in its 13 year history, it is still better than other constitutions, should be enough to show that the Malawi Constitution has some redeeming qualities still. At such a period in a nation’s history, the enlightened, the knowledgeable are called to duty; they have a responsibility to show direction and give hope to their less empowered brothers and sisters. I want to believe that the enlightened are the conscience of the people, the vicarious agents of the people’s unspoken yearnings and resolves.
Yes, the politicians and the executive may have been blatant in their ways and means, and that the rest of us are less so is not enough to acquit us of our own guilt. If anything, our role has been most insidious. It is “we” who give essential strategic support and sometimes prods. So, as critics of the system and analysts of events and happenings, we should know where to draw the line; when patriotism is in dire straits and the nation requiring of our enlightenment and our knowledge. Malawi ’s failings, if we begin to locate them, cannot be said to be that of the politicians alone. The “citizenry” cannot extricate itself from these failings. Any honest examination of the anatomy of Malawi ’s problems, then and now, should start from the self. We all should ask ourselves this simple question: in what ways have I contributed to where Malawi is today? One of the easiest things to do is to put the blame on the next person, which is unfortunate really.
It is my belief that we as a nation often take “pride” in pointing out Malawi ’s faults and expect others to deal with them. I wish for once we could take pride in being Malawian and stop the “fad of downgrading and bashing anything Malawian”. Malawi is our country and Malawi ’s faults are ours to fix not to curse. It is in light of that conviction that I have noted that there has been too much emphasis in Malawi on protecting individual political rights and neglecting the people’s economic rights. This more so demonstrated in the current “deadlock” in parliament, where the political rights of about 70 individuals to be or not to be in parliament seem to be prioritised above the economic rights of over 12 million Malawians.
The Malawi Constitution is an economic document as well as a political document. The framers of the constitution believed that economic freedom as well as political freedom is essential for national prosperity and growth. Accordingly, they included numerous provisions in the Constitution that support and encourage the operation of a market economy. Thus, as the basic "law of the land," the Malawi Constitution defines the essential features of our economy.
Chapter IV of the constitution of Malawi has some fundamental human rights that are of economic orientation. These include the following:
Every person shall be able to acquire property alone or in association with others
No person shall be arbitrarily deprived of property
Every person shall have the right freely to engage in economic activity, to work and to pursue a livelihood anywhere in Malawi
All persons and peoples have a right to development and therefore to the enjoyment of economic, social, cultural and political development and women, children and the disabled in particular shall be given special consideration in the application of this right.
The State shall take all necessary measures for the realization of the right to development. Such measures shall include, amongst other things, equality of opportunity for all in their access to basic resources, education, health services, food, shelter, employment and infrastructure.
The State shall take measures to introduce reforms aimed at eradicating social injustices and inequalities.
The State has a responsibility to respect the right to development and to justify its policies in accordance with this responsibility.
Every person shall have the right to fair and safe labour practices and to fair remuneration.
All persons shall have the right to form and join trade unions or not to form or join trade unions.
Every person shall be entitled to fair wages and equal remuneration for work of equal value without distinction or discrimination of any kind, in particular on basis of gender, disability or race.
The State shall take measures to ensure the right to withdraw labour.
However, it seems to me that there has not been enough economic analysis of our constitution to the extent that people sometimes forget that the constitution gives them economic rights that are no less important than their political rights. An economic analysis of our constitution could go a long way to expand the scope of public constitutional debates by offering more perspectives on how changes in rules of the “political” game may affect rational political behaviour and the resulting performance democratic governments for both the social and economic welfare of its citizens.
Let us take the current situation in Malawi and make a simple economic implication of the speaker declaring the 70 or so seats vacant and then as the leader of the opposition wishes the rest of the members of parliament debate and decide the budgetary allocation for the next fiscal year. We know that in Malawi, the problem with public goods is that of excess demand and in the context of Malawi where different MPs represent different constituents. If a new road would yield benefits of say 1 million Malawi Kwacha to everyone in Chirazulo and could be built by a tax that cost everyone in Malawi 1 Malawi kwacha, then the people in Chirazulo would like their MP in parliament to advocate for this road during this budget debate.
When the parliament is then controlled by a coalition which represents a coalition of only remaining MPs, these MPs may rationally vote for public goods that benefit their constituents without taking account of the tax burden these local public goods will impose on the constituents who will have no representation in parliament during this debate.
Once we understand that the remaining MPs in parliament will tend to ignore interest of those constituents whose MPs are not in parliament, we can find a strong argument to justify that the constitution enshrined economic rights of those constituents have been violated. The question I can not answer as an economist is whether this makes legal sense and whether it could stand in a court of law.
Uni students want budget passed soon than later
University of Malawi Students Union (UMSU) says the delays in passing the 2007-2008 budget will affect them and has urged the parliamentarians to prioritize passing the budget when National Assembly sits.
Umsu made the remarks in a statement made available to Nyasa Times, signed by; its president Titus Divala, president of Students Union of Chancellor College (Succ) Khumbo Soko, president of Bunda College Students Union (BSU) James Kumwenda, president of Polytechnic Students Union (PSU) Patience Thombozi and Wanangwa Chisenga president of College of Medicine Students Union (COMSU).
“The University of Malawi, being a public university gets its budgetary support from the government. It is trite that this budgetary support can not be had unless and until the Appropriation Act, authorizing the government to spend has been discussed and passed by parliament,” read a statement from Umsu.
The students unions say the delay in passing the budget will also mean that students from some constituent colleges of the university, such as Bunda College, which are scheduled to open in August, will not be able to access the government loans for their tuition and stationery requirements.
“This in our considered view will amount to a violation of the students’ right to education since it is commonplace that most students in the university can not afford to pay the tuition fees on their own,” a statement further read.
UMSU pointed out that the delay in passing the budget and the resultant failure by colleges to open in time will also affect some final year students who have already secured opportunities and sponsorship for post graduate studies and that it will also affect research projects.
National Assembly was indefinitely suspended due to disagreements between opposition and government lawmakers over issues of Section 65 which Supreme Court ruled that it is valid, giving powers to the Speaker to axe MPs who ditch parties.
The opposition demanded Section 65 action from speaker before deliberating the budget.
However, the University students’ body says the budget should be prioritized and dealt with first as opposed to Section 65.
“Consequential upon the foregoing, we the students of the University of Malawi wish to respectfully request and urge our MPs to put the interest of Malawians at the fore front and to exhibit goodwill by discussing and passing the budget before tackling the issues of section 65,” the students appealed.
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) parliamentary affairs spokesperson, Ishmael Chafukila said the party is keen to critique and approve the budget without delay.
“MCP is keen in passing the budget as soon as today, but only legitimate MP’S should deliberate the budget, we do not want strangers in the House,” said Chafukila.
United Democratic Front (UDF) leader in parliament, Dr George Ntafu said his party shares the concerns of the University students.
He said the National Budget is important because it contains detailed financial allocations that would ensure continued socio-economic development and strategies that enhance poverty reduction.
But he blamed government for putting spanners in the wheels of constitutional democratic process and that UDF was aware of the various “political machinations” that include mere propaganda by ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) functionaries aimed at discrediting the opposition; by carelessly and callously linking the National Budget to matters of Section 65 and impeachment.
“It is cheap and totally false propaganda for the Executive to mislead and misinform Malawians that the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi should be held hostage to the National Budget and thereby incite ordinary Malawians into falsely believing that their economic welfare is at stake,” said Ntafu.
“Thursdays are Private Members Days in the House and the Right Honorable Speaker can dispose all cases of Section 65 without endangering the progress of the Budget,” he said.
Umsu made the remarks in a statement made available to Nyasa Times, signed by; its president Titus Divala, president of Students Union of Chancellor College (Succ) Khumbo Soko, president of Bunda College Students Union (BSU) James Kumwenda, president of Polytechnic Students Union (PSU) Patience Thombozi and Wanangwa Chisenga president of College of Medicine Students Union (COMSU).
“The University of Malawi, being a public university gets its budgetary support from the government. It is trite that this budgetary support can not be had unless and until the Appropriation Act, authorizing the government to spend has been discussed and passed by parliament,” read a statement from Umsu.
The students unions say the delay in passing the budget will also mean that students from some constituent colleges of the university, such as Bunda College, which are scheduled to open in August, will not be able to access the government loans for their tuition and stationery requirements.
“This in our considered view will amount to a violation of the students’ right to education since it is commonplace that most students in the university can not afford to pay the tuition fees on their own,” a statement further read.
UMSU pointed out that the delay in passing the budget and the resultant failure by colleges to open in time will also affect some final year students who have already secured opportunities and sponsorship for post graduate studies and that it will also affect research projects.
National Assembly was indefinitely suspended due to disagreements between opposition and government lawmakers over issues of Section 65 which Supreme Court ruled that it is valid, giving powers to the Speaker to axe MPs who ditch parties.
The opposition demanded Section 65 action from speaker before deliberating the budget.
However, the University students’ body says the budget should be prioritized and dealt with first as opposed to Section 65.
“Consequential upon the foregoing, we the students of the University of Malawi wish to respectfully request and urge our MPs to put the interest of Malawians at the fore front and to exhibit goodwill by discussing and passing the budget before tackling the issues of section 65,” the students appealed.
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) parliamentary affairs spokesperson, Ishmael Chafukila said the party is keen to critique and approve the budget without delay.
“MCP is keen in passing the budget as soon as today, but only legitimate MP’S should deliberate the budget, we do not want strangers in the House,” said Chafukila.
United Democratic Front (UDF) leader in parliament, Dr George Ntafu said his party shares the concerns of the University students.
He said the National Budget is important because it contains detailed financial allocations that would ensure continued socio-economic development and strategies that enhance poverty reduction.
But he blamed government for putting spanners in the wheels of constitutional democratic process and that UDF was aware of the various “political machinations” that include mere propaganda by ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) functionaries aimed at discrediting the opposition; by carelessly and callously linking the National Budget to matters of Section 65 and impeachment.
“It is cheap and totally false propaganda for the Executive to mislead and misinform Malawians that the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi should be held hostage to the National Budget and thereby incite ordinary Malawians into falsely believing that their economic welfare is at stake,” said Ntafu.
“Thursdays are Private Members Days in the House and the Right Honorable Speaker can dispose all cases of Section 65 without endangering the progress of the Budget,” he said.
Lake Malawi’s 315-km yachting marathon sails off
Lake Malawi’s 315-km International Yachting Marathon set sail on Thursday from the southern resort town of Mangochi, with eight local and foreign boats competing against each other this year.
The annual eight-day event, which started in 1984, has attracted international sailors from South Africa and Malawi, who will use the wind to guide their two-crew boats along the entire length of the freshwater lake.
The final stop is Chintheche resort in northern Malawi’s Nkhata Bay district.
Chairperson for the event, Zina Dale, told APA that the marathon was challenging adventure and an opportunity at the same to those coming from abroad to experience the beauty of Malawi.
"The numerous sailors who return annually to the shores of Lake Malawi to take part confirm its attraction," Dale said, adding that the event was one of way of promoting the country’s growing tourism.
She said the funds raised from the competition would be used to benefit a hospital and school along the lakeshore area.
The annual eight-day event, which started in 1984, has attracted international sailors from South Africa and Malawi, who will use the wind to guide their two-crew boats along the entire length of the freshwater lake.
The final stop is Chintheche resort in northern Malawi’s Nkhata Bay district.
Chairperson for the event, Zina Dale, told APA that the marathon was challenging adventure and an opportunity at the same to those coming from abroad to experience the beauty of Malawi.
"The numerous sailors who return annually to the shores of Lake Malawi to take part confirm its attraction," Dale said, adding that the event was one of way of promoting the country’s growing tourism.
She said the funds raised from the competition would be used to benefit a hospital and school along the lakeshore area.
Mutharika visits Zimbabwe next week
Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika will visit Zimbabwe next week on Monday for the first time following the demise of his wife Madame Mrs Ethel Mutharika who was buried on June 10 at Ndata Farm in Thyolo, state house sources have revealed.
Mutharika will join the Zimbabwe family mourners assembled at Bineth Farm outside Kadoma run by his in-law Mai Nyoni and son Madalisto.
“The President leaves on Monday and will spend some days in the country with mourners at his farm. He will also carry some high level talks seeking wisdom and solutions on the current political crisis in the country with his Zimbabwean counterpart,” state house source said.
Malawi has been sounded as a possible country for Mugabe’s retirement in a rescue package being drawn up and the press in Zimbabwe reported that Mugabe’s visit during the First Lady’s burial was also to have a look at the Ndata Farm in which he co-owns with Mutharika.
"He (Mugabe) is considering Malawi and Namibia as possible retirement homes," ZimDaily quoted its sources. "He has properties (farms) in those countries and has started making moves because he knows that he will be unable to live safely in Zimbabwe when he is no longer president."
The Malawi leader facing a political crisis will meet the man he admires most in modern politics seeking solutions to his own problems as the international diplomatic community have stayed mum on the current political situation threatening his minority government vowing to seek solutions from elsewhere.
Government spokesperson could not comment on the matter referring Nyasa Times to State House Press Officer Chikumbutso Mutumodzi who switched off his phone when the subject was introduced.
However, an analyst from Chancellor Collage has deplored the current political situation and seeking solutions from Mugabe would only plunge the country into a deeper crisis.
“We deplore any secret activities which Mutharika and Mugabe engages in and we are ware Mugabe cannot offer any solutions to our political impasse. If it is dialogue about Mugabe retiring in Malawi, then this has to be a subject for debate by all Malawians as to whether we can accept such a leader to be in our midst.
“What is more worrisome is the fact that Zimbabwe Defence Force is sending their trainers here (Malawi) and we have sent our soldiers to their country,” said the analyst who did not want to be named.
Malawi has offered Mugabe 400 000 metric tonnes of maize in a deal worth about US$120 million whose payment details are shrouded in secrecy. However, media reports indicate the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RMB) was procuring maize on behalf of Zimbabwe. Malawi has also extended a US$10 million credit line on the maize deal which has already seen over 90 000 tonnes shipped.
Farm workers at Bineth Farm were up in arms in 2004 over the poor state of housing on the estate, which they described as dilapidated pole and mud structures, posing a health hazard.
The Mutharikas acquired the farm in 1994 and named it Bineth, “Bin” being the first three letters of Bingu, while “eth” represented the first three letters of his late wife’s name.
Mutharika will join the Zimbabwe family mourners assembled at Bineth Farm outside Kadoma run by his in-law Mai Nyoni and son Madalisto.
“The President leaves on Monday and will spend some days in the country with mourners at his farm. He will also carry some high level talks seeking wisdom and solutions on the current political crisis in the country with his Zimbabwean counterpart,” state house source said.
Malawi has been sounded as a possible country for Mugabe’s retirement in a rescue package being drawn up and the press in Zimbabwe reported that Mugabe’s visit during the First Lady’s burial was also to have a look at the Ndata Farm in which he co-owns with Mutharika.
"He (Mugabe) is considering Malawi and Namibia as possible retirement homes," ZimDaily quoted its sources. "He has properties (farms) in those countries and has started making moves because he knows that he will be unable to live safely in Zimbabwe when he is no longer president."
The Malawi leader facing a political crisis will meet the man he admires most in modern politics seeking solutions to his own problems as the international diplomatic community have stayed mum on the current political situation threatening his minority government vowing to seek solutions from elsewhere.
Government spokesperson could not comment on the matter referring Nyasa Times to State House Press Officer Chikumbutso Mutumodzi who switched off his phone when the subject was introduced.
However, an analyst from Chancellor Collage has deplored the current political situation and seeking solutions from Mugabe would only plunge the country into a deeper crisis.
“We deplore any secret activities which Mutharika and Mugabe engages in and we are ware Mugabe cannot offer any solutions to our political impasse. If it is dialogue about Mugabe retiring in Malawi, then this has to be a subject for debate by all Malawians as to whether we can accept such a leader to be in our midst.
“What is more worrisome is the fact that Zimbabwe Defence Force is sending their trainers here (Malawi) and we have sent our soldiers to their country,” said the analyst who did not want to be named.
Malawi has offered Mugabe 400 000 metric tonnes of maize in a deal worth about US$120 million whose payment details are shrouded in secrecy. However, media reports indicate the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RMB) was procuring maize on behalf of Zimbabwe. Malawi has also extended a US$10 million credit line on the maize deal which has already seen over 90 000 tonnes shipped.
Farm workers at Bineth Farm were up in arms in 2004 over the poor state of housing on the estate, which they described as dilapidated pole and mud structures, posing a health hazard.
The Mutharikas acquired the farm in 1994 and named it Bineth, “Bin” being the first three letters of Bingu, while “eth” represented the first three letters of his late wife’s name.
Madonna Makes Malawi Movie
HOLLYWOOD - Pop superstar Madonna has been devoting time between motherhood, music and movies to a new documentary about Malawi.
The “Material Girl” singer adopted son David Banda from the African country in October 2006 and was so inspired by her visit to the country that she immediately started filming a short movie about the problems people face there.
Her spokeswoman, Liz Rosenberg, tells The Scoop, "She's been working on it for a year. Very intense. And profoundly sad--not for the faint of heart. She did an amazing job, I must say."
As well as the documentary, Rosenberg confirms Madonna has also been working on new tracks with Justin Timberlake, whose London concert she recently tried to attend incognito before being mobbed by fans.
The “Material Girl” singer adopted son David Banda from the African country in October 2006 and was so inspired by her visit to the country that she immediately started filming a short movie about the problems people face there.
Her spokeswoman, Liz Rosenberg, tells The Scoop, "She's been working on it for a year. Very intense. And profoundly sad--not for the faint of heart. She did an amazing job, I must say."
As well as the documentary, Rosenberg confirms Madonna has also been working on new tracks with Justin Timberlake, whose London concert she recently tried to attend incognito before being mobbed by fans.
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