Wednesday 23 October 2013

South Africa Government send an envoy to apologies to Malawi

South Africa deputy International Relations Minister Marius Fransman is expected to meet Malawian President Joyce Banda today to try smother the flames between South Africa and Malawi.RELATED STORIES

The meeting follows President Jacob Zuma’s comment that was seen by many as a diplomatic gaffe

“We can't think like Africans in Africa, generally. We are in Johannesburg. This is Johannesburg. It's not some national road in Malawi,” said Zuma as he tried to defend e-tolling in Gauteng.
Zuma's spokesperson, Mac Maharaj, has apologised on his behalf, saying Zuma was misunderstood.
International Relations minister Maite Nkoana Mashabane had to field questions about Zuma’s comment while hosting her Nigerian counterpart on Wednesday.
“We cannot be proud of Sandton, Sandhurst and Midrand. We want to create more of such hubs in Niger, in Malawi and many. 
"It's not only about words. Where does president Zuma spend most of his time not in South Africa? On the continent, talking issues development in practice,” said Mashabane.
But in a telephone intervie International Relations spokesperson Cleyson Monyela denied the deputy such a development saying Fransman visisted Malawi to attend a SADC meeting  
" I don't know where you got this but what I know is that the deputy minister is in Malawi to attend a SADC meeting and not to discuss Zuma's remarks" said Monyela

Tuesday 22 October 2013

MPHWIYO IMPLICATED IN CASH-GATE SCANDAL

 Leonard kalonga appeared before the acb for a recorded interviewon friday. where he heavily implicated Paul Mphwiyo on the cash-gate saga.

 Leonard told the ACB that it is mphwiyo who approached him to find companies that they could use to siphon out money.

He confessed that he  found the companies and disclosed that money was being siphoned out as a syndicate . He said Mphwiyo gave him the pin codes to ifms .

 ACB is expected to use the recorded revelation in court.


Presidency backed Zuma for insulting Malawi


 The South Africa government has backed its president, Jacob Zuma, for referring to Malawi as one of the poorest nations with bad roads infrastructure in Africa.

The presidency claimed on Tuesday said President Jacob Zuma’s remarks on Gauteng e-tolls were distorted by the media.

Zuma on Monday evening said, “We can’t think like Africans in Africa generally. We’re in Johannesburg, this is Johannesburg. It’s not some national road in Malawi.”

Zuma made the comments at the Gauteng ANC Manifesto Forum at the University of the Witwatersrand in the commercial city of  Johannesburg.

Presidency spokesperson Mac Maharaj defended the address.

 In a telephone interview  presidency spokesperson Mac Maharaj  clarified Zuma's remarks by  saying   what the president means is that Gauteng roads can’t be compared to roads in other countries or towns.

“The words have regrettably been taken out of context and blown completely out of proportion.”
Maharaj says Zuma means comparisons shouldn’t be made as Gauteng is “the heartbeat of South Africa’s economy.”

“The remarks were made in the broader context of South Africa.”

Zuma defended e-tolls, saying Gauteng motorists should bear the brunt of the extra costs necessary to keep the province running.

“The roads are to be tolled to pay back the money we borrowed to build the freeways – to make the economy flow in Johannesburg.”

Friday 18 October 2013

MANDELA IS A FIGHTER - ZUMA


South African President Jacob Zuma has  described the world icon  Nelson Mandela as a “fighter” whose health was showing sings of improvement in an exclusive interview with FRANCE 24 on Friday.

Zuma made the remarks in an exclusive interview with FRANCE 24 TV network on Friday.

“He's a fighter. I think even the doctors admitted he is a born fighter because I think he has been able really to fight as he has done and really to a stage where you are able to see progress,” Zuma told the TV network in the capital of Pretoria.

“(Mandela) does things other people could not do, and I think even the doctors admit that he is an amazing kind of man,” added Zuma.

Almost 15 years after Mandela left the country’s highest office, Zuma has established control over the African National Congress and South Africa’s political landscape, despite drawing criticism over alleged authoritarianism and corruption.

Thursday 17 October 2013

MPHWIYO UNDER PROTECTIVE CUSTODY


Shot treasury budget director Paul Mphwiyo has been pressed on protective custody pending the ongoing investigation on his shooting and casegate saga.

Recently Malawi president Joyce Banda told the nation that Mphwiyo will recover quickly and he will help to give answers as to what has been going on at Capital Hill

This comes amidst reports that most suspects in the cash-gate saga are trying their level best to interfere with the investigations.

An inside government source who chose not to be named for security reasons revealed that Mphwiyo is being protected by a team of Malawi police officers who are working together with their South African counterparts.

" He is withing Gauteng and he is being protected by a special team of Malawi police officers with a help from the South African police service". said the source

However the source could not disclosed the particular area where he is being kept saying only the police are aware of the place.

In an a Telephone interview South African police national spokesperson Lieutenant General Makgale confirmed South Africa government is helping Malawi to provide security to Mphwiyo saying he is in a safe place.

However Makgale could not give more details on the issue

"What I can say is that the South Africa police is fully in control of the matter," said Makgale without shedding more lights on the issue.

However when Malawi police spokesperson Rhoda Manjolo was questioned on the issue she demanded a questioner but could not respond as we went to press.




Tuesday 15 October 2013

New Malawi Cabinet List

Malawi president Joyce Banda has announced her new Cabinet; Ken Lipenga, Ralph Kasambara, Eunice Kazembe and Reen Kachere dropped.

Below is the new cabinet list.

1. Her Excellency Dr. Joyce Banda, President of the Republic of Malawi, Commander-in-Chief of the Malawi Defence Force and the Malawi Police Service, Minister Responsible for Statutory Corporations, Civil Service Administration, Nutrition, HIV and AIDS, National Registration Programme, and the Green Belt Initiative.

2. Right Honourable Khumbo Kachali, Vice President of the Republic of Malawi and Responsible for National Relief and Disaster Management,National Public Events Office, Central Government Stores, and Department of Printing Services. 

3. Honourable Sosten Gwengwe, M.P. – Minister of Industry and Trade

4. Honourable Dr. Maxwell Mkwezalamba, - Minister of Finance

5. Honourable Fahad Assani – Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs

6. Honourable Mrs. Catherine Gotani Hara, M.P. - Minister of Health

7. Honourable Mohammed Sidik Mia, M.P. – Minister of Transport and Public Works

8. Honourable Ephraim Mganda Chiume, M.P. - Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

9. Honourable Henry Duncan Phoya, SC, M.P. Minister of Lands and Housing

10. Honourable Mrs. Eunice Kazembe, M.P. Minister in the Office of the President and Cabinet Responsible for Good Governance

11.Honourable Mrs. Anita Kalinde, M.P. Minister of Water Development and Irrigation

12.Honourable Ken Edward Kandodo, M.P. – Minister of Defence

13.Honourable Uladi Mussa, M.P. - Minister of Home Affairs 

14.Honourable Mrs. Halima Daud, M.P. - Minister of Environment and Climate Change Management 

15.Honourable Enock Chakufwa K. Chihana, M.P. – Minister of Youth and Sports

16.Honourable Ralph Pachalo Jooma, M.P. – Minister of Economic Planning and Development

17.Honourable Grace Maseko, M.P. - Minister of Labour

18.Honourable Mrs. Rachel Patience Mazombwe Zulu, M.P. – Minister of Local Government and Rural Development

19.Honourable Dr. James Munthali - Minister of Agriculture and Food Security

20.Honourable Mary Clara Makungwa - - Minister of Gender, Children and Social Welfare

21.Honourable Moses Kunkuyu Kalongashawa, M.P. – Minister of Tourism and Culture

22.Honourable John Bande, M.P. – Minister of Mining 

23.Honourable Ibrahim Matola, M.P. - Minister of Energy 

24.Honourable Brown Mpinganjira, – Minister of Information and Civic Education

25.Honourable Dr. Lucious Kanyumba, M.P., – Minister of Education, Science and Technology

26.Honourable Ms. Rachel Kachaje, - Minister of Disability and Elderly Affairs 

27.Honourable Jermoth Ulemu Chilapondwa, M.P. – Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security

28.Honourable Dr. Cornelius Mwalwanda, M.P. – Deputy Minister of Finance

29.Honourable Godfrey Jeff Kamanya, M.P. – Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development

30.Honourable Ephraim Abel Kayembe, M.P. – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

31.Honourable Chikumbutso John Hiwa, M.P. - Deputy Minister of Health

32. Honourable Agnes Mandevu Chatipwa M.P. – Deputy Minister of Education

Malawi President Joyce Banda axed 2 influential ministers.

With an aim to restore confidence among Malawians and the donor community Malawi President Joyce Banda has made a  crucial decision to fire two of her influential ministers following the recent increase of  corruption in Malawi government.


Amid mounting reports that some of her cabinet ministers were lining their pockets from state coffers in a country heavily reliant on foreign aid, Banda late Thursday made a surprise move by dissolving her entire 25 ministers packing.

Earlier today Banda appointed a new Cabinet where Minister of finance Ken Lipenga and  minister of Justice Ralph Kasambara were among the influential ministers which were shown the exit.

Banda also booted two female ministers Eunice Makangal and Reen Kachere
She therefore hired one of the country top lawyer  Fahad Assani  as minister of Justice, Dr Mawell Mkwezalamba  as minister of Finance, Mary Clara Makungwa minister of Gender, Luscious Kanyumba as minister of  Education and Rachel Kachaje as a minister of Disability Affairs.

The decision to dissolve her recent cabinet  came just hours after the European Union, one of the key donors to Malawi's budget, warned it would withhold its 29 million euro ($39 million) scheduled payout due in December until the authorities proved they were convincingly dealing with corruption.


I want to meet Mandela - Oprah Winfrey

The American  talk show host Oprah Winfrey came out to say that she would really like to visit ailing former president Nelson Mandela but respects the family's decision to grant him privacy during this difficult time.

Winfrey, who is in South Africa  wished the world icon a speedy recovery saying she prays for Madiba’s recovery every day.

"There was a time in July when he went to hospital again that I along with everybody was holding my breath and was relieved to find that he was able to go home".

Winfrey however  says that she does not have plans to visit because when President Barack Obama was in the country he was not allowed to visit the former president.

"I assumed that I would not be allowed to him but I will check in with Graca Machel before I leave though".

Winfrey has also brought with her a team of motivational experts to engage South African women of all ages on a positive mental attitude

Friday 11 October 2013

JOYCE BANDA DID VISIT MPHWIYO - HOSPITAL OFFICIAL

In a black Mercedes Benz registration number N 43 GP Malawi president Joyce Banda was spotted being driven inside the Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg where treasury  budget director  Paul Mphwiyo was admitted  after being shot some weeks ago at his house in the capital Lilongwe.

But  Banda recently denied visiting Mphwiyo at the hospital by claiming that she traveled to South Africa to visit one of her minister Eunice Kazembe who is receiving medical treatment in the country.

The Mercedes Benz  used while going to Milpark was also captured at Southern Hotel in Pretoria where she was sleeping .
However speaking in a telephone interview Milpark hospital manager Antom Tillis confirmed that Banda did visit the hospital but he could not give more details as to why Banda did visit the hospital saying as the hospital they do respect patients confidentiality.

" As a matter of principal we are not in a position to discuss our patients or who visits them with anyone other than the patient themselves. We are ethically obliged to respect our patients confidentiality" said Tillis

However the same vehicle which took Banda at the O.R Tambo airport was the same car which was spotted at Milpark hospital and where she was residing  at Southern Sun Hotel in Pretoria.





Malawi President Joyce Banda Dissolves Cabinet

Malawi President Joyce Banda has dissolved her cabinet effective Thursday, October 10, 2013.
The development comes a few hours after she met the ministers on Thursday.
This comes amidst  pressure and calls from development partners, civil society organisations and the media that the president act on the continued looting and plundering of public resources.
According to a statement issued by State House Presidential Secretary Steve Nhlane whose copy Zodiak Online possesses, the decision is in line with the powers vested to the president by the constitution.
The statement said the President will announce a new Cabinet in due course.
“All ministerial matters will revert to the Presidency through Controlling Officers. Her Excellency the President will announce a new Cabinet in due course,” reads part of the statement.
The decision is in exercise of the powers conferred upon her by Section 94 (1) and Section 95 (2) of the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi, has today, 10th October 2013, dissolved Cabinet,” reads part of the statement.
Meanwhile a political analyst Dr. Henry Chingaipe says the dissolution of cabinet will give the president time to reflect on the scandal of public resource plunder.
He also advised that Dr. Ken Lipenga “be moved to another ministry if he is to be appointed into the cabinet again”.
A law expert, Associate Professor Edge Kanyongolo of Chancellor College says there is no legal requirement on when the president should appoint a new cabinet.
“There is no law that stipulates when the president should appoint a new cabinet but sooner is better

Civil Sosiety calls Malawi president to resign

The Malawi  civil society are demanding for the head of   President Joyce Banda  saying her administration has failed Malawians following reports of massive plundering of resources by government officers.


The call was made by the Consumer Association of Malawi Speaking following the increase of corruption in the country.

 CAMA Executive Director Mr. John Kapito maintained that the  mass demonstrations against looting of government resources, ‘Capitol Hill shut down’-will proceed as planned on October 10.
CAMA’s Kapito said, “President Joyce Banda has failed to provide oversight leadership on the management of the government affairs since she took office because she has been rarely found in her office other than the many foreign and local travels that she continues to undertake in the name of development when actual fact they are just a drain on the tax payers.”
According to CAMA, President Banda’s failure to provide leadership in the current economic crisis has ‘blown up’ in her face where everybody has decided to join her plundering the economy through theft and corrupt practices taking advantage of her weak leadership.
Kapito said, “The march will take place on 10th October and it will start from Parliament round-about up to Capitol Hill where they are going to present a petition to the chief secretary in the office of president and Cabinet Hawa Ndilowe.”
The CAMA petition to be presented to the chief secretary on 10th October is calling on the immediate removal of the current minister of finance and the entire cabinet to pave way for unimpeded investigations at the treasury and all the government ministries and departments.
CAMA is also calling upon the head of state to call for early elections, and that a forensic audit of all government ministries and departments by a firm independent of government and of international repute. 

SOURCE ZBS

Tuesday 8 October 2013

Joyce Banda visits Mphwiyo's hospital

President Joyce Banda visited shot treasury budget director Paul Mphwiyo on Tuesday at the Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg South Africa while she was coming from the United State of America where.
This visitation comes amidst calls from Malawian citizens, political and civil society for Banda to return home and address the looting of public resources at Capital Hill
Banda who jetted at O.R Tambo international airport in Johannesburg drove straight to the Milpark hospital in Johannesburg and spend close to four hours in the hospital.
However the press were not allowed to enter in the hospital saying the visit was private and confidential.
Speaking in a telephone interview Malawi embassy health attach Nedson Fosiko confirmed the presidential visit but denied to shed more lights on the issue by directing the reporter to speak to Malawi ambassador Stella Ndau.
" According to protocol I am not allowed to comment on that since all the issues regarding the presidency are always handled by the high commissioner herself" said Fosiko
However Ndau could not be reached on her cell number as her mobile phone was answered by her driver who said her boss was in a meeting.
" The owner of the phone is in meeting and she can not be able to pick up your phone" said the ambassadors driver
However commenting on Mphwiyo's current health condition Fosiko said the budget director is in a good condition and is expected to be discharge from the hospital anytime from today.
" He has improved well and the doctors who were observing him have recommended that he can be discharge and treated as an out patient" said Fosiko
When asked as to when Mphwiyo is expected to be released Fosiko said currently he is waiting for a final report from the doctor which indicate the particular date Mphwiyo will be released.
" I will meet with the doctors tomorrow ( Today) where they are expected to give us the final brief as to when he should be discharged but they are well impressed with his condition and they have recommended that he can be treated as an out patient." said Fosiko
Mphwiyo is now in the general ward after being from the ICU where surgical doctors removed four bullets from his body and reconstruct his jaws which was badly damaged. he is now able to talk and walk.
However despite his condition there is still tight security at the Milpark hospital


Friday 4 October 2013

Paul Mphwiyo wanted by ACB

Shot Malawi treasury budget direct Paul Mphwiyo is among the eight civil servants from the ministry of Finance being hunted by the Malawi Anti-Corruption Bureau on corruption charges and fraud. According to a source within the bureau the ACB have issued 8 warrants of arrest where by Mphwiyo's name and his deputy has appered on the list. The others nortable names which have appered on the list includes the ruling People's Party (PP) director of political affairs Ephraim Chivunde and Oswald Lutepo. The others others have not yet been disclosed reports indicates that they're withing the ministry of financefrom min of finance. According to the sources it has revealed that Ephraim chivunde have been implicated as the one who twisted the Mphwiyo saga and implicated one of the Top lawyers Wapona Kita and Minister of Justice Ralph Kasambara . The source further revealed that Chivunde is a sworn enemy of Kasambara and has reported several things about ralph to president Joyce Banda.