CHREAA donates, launches toll free line

BY WATIPASO MZUNGU JNR
Centre for Human Rights, Education, Assistance and Advice (CHREAA) in on Tuesday donated and launched an MTL toll free line facilities to the Child Justice Court in Blantyre, which authorities say will facilitate easy access to justice for women and juveniles.

Magistrate Esmie Tembenu of the Blantyre Child Justice Court said at the launch that the facility will reduce the distance prosecutors and court officials used to travel in following up the backgrounds of the children and women found in conflict with the law.

The Criminal Procedure and Evidence Code (CPEC) regarding juvenile justice demands that courts and the police make proper investigations into the cases they receive and compile conclusive reports, which guide the courts on the next course of action.

But in the absence of the required resources, the courts faced challenges in investigating into the cases they received and compile conclusive reports.

But by dialing 8000333 now, members of the public will now be able to communicate with and secure the services of paralegal officers to represent juveniles. After topping up with MTL recharge cards, the police and court officials will be able to trace and call parents or guardians of the juveniles.

“The law provides that we can’t go ahead with cases involving a child in the absence of his or her guardian or parent. However, the most common problem we used to face was that most of the child offenders were coming from places far away.

"In such a situation, it was not easy for us to get the right information regarding their behavior and how the crime was committed. In such a situation, we had no choice, but to travel to their communities to establish their background details before we compile a social report that guides the action to be taken,” Tembenu explained.

She further stated that without mobility, they were failing to do reach out to as many children and women victims or offenders of the law.

Soche Police Sub-Station Officer-In-Charge Senior Superintendent Maurice Makwinja said the line will help the police service in saving financial resources as they will no longer have to travel long distances.

“It will make our job simpler because we’ll be able to communicate with relevant authorities such as paralegal officers in good time using this phone facility,” Makwinja said.

In his remarks, CHREAA executive director Victor Mhango said the initiative was designed to help the law enforcing arms to accord women and children offenders speedy trials in consistence with Convention on the Rights of a Child (CRC).

“With this toll free line, the police and the courts will now be able to screen the juveniles in conflict with the law at anytime of the day. This will also help in protecting the image of the police who have, for a long time, come under public criticism for failing to accord children speedy trial processes,” said Mhango.

Soche, Chilomoni, Chilobwe, Limbe, Ndirande and South Lunzu Police are some of the stations that have benefitted from the facility.

CHREAA also donated one mobile MTL line to Soche Child Justice Court.
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Meet Cadocky Saidi Thole

Cadocky Saidi Thole: New musician on the block

Since the resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ, many preachers have sprouted up, all in His name, warning mankind against their sinful acts. But very few people have welcomed the gospel with warmth.

New gospel musician, Cadocky Saidi Thole, believes he is the last prophet and that whoever doesn’t heed his message shall perish. Watipaso Mzungu Jnr sought his interview early in the week and he writes:

May I know you, please?

Yes, I am Cadocky Saidi Thole. I was born and grew up in Nsanje with my parents. Professionally, I am a tailor based in Ndirande.

 How can you summarize the history of your music career?

Basically, I can say I’ve lived a choir life. It was early in the 90s when I joined Free Methodist Church Choir at Chididi in Nsanje. I didn’t stay long there before I was appointed choirmaster.

Later in the years, my father left Free Methodist to join Light Calvary House Church. I followed him and I was also appointed choirmaster there.

In 1995, I relocated to Blantyre. In Blantyre, I joined Cross Life Church. Again, they appointed me choirmaster. In 2007, a new faith group was formed called The Glory of God Pentecostal Church led by Bishop J. Shawa. When I joined, I was also elected choirmaster. In short, that is how I can sum up my history in music.

But I don’t think being a choirmaster doesn’t mean you can automatically become a successful musician. If that was a yardstick then Malawi should have had a lot of musicians. Are you sure people can expect much from you musically?

You’re very right! Being a choirmaster doesn’t mean you can make a good musician. But one thing you need to know about me is that the choir groups I have talked about were just nurseries in my music career.

I am a serious musician. Only that the history of my music career will be incomplete if I don’t mention where I start from. I know some people think you’re not a musician if you started from a choir, but rather a singer and that you can’t compose your own songs if you started from a choir. There are a lot of musicians who started from choirs, but have made it big on the music industry.

When did think of releasing your first album?

Sometime back, but resources didn’t permit me to release it then! I have already finished working on my first album Pakubwera Jesu. This is Sena, which means: “At the coming of the Jesus”.

What will happen at the coming of Jesus? What message are trying to send across in this album?

Spiritually, no one can deny the fact that there are many churches and pastors spreading the gospel of the Lord. Many people have preached the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ; warning people against sinning. But, surprisingly, people have never stopped sinning, at all. So through this album, I am warning believers for the last time. What I am simply saying is: “There will be cries at the coming of Jesus because you [people] did not want to heed the gospel as preached by different pastors!”

Where was your album produced?

Some of my songs were recorded and edited at Rise and Shine while others were done at Namizinga Records in Ndirande.

How many tracks are in the album and in what beats are those songs?

It’s a 10-track all-gospel album. I have done it in different beats such as rhumba, reggae, mbira and mbira-reggae. I have done this to meet all fans who are of different ages and tastes. I believe these beats will appeal to their music desire.

What challenges did you face in coming up with this album?

Lack of money for studio production was the most challenging factor. Currently, I don’t have sponsors. It was not easy for a lowly-paid person like me (tailor).

What’s your dream in music industry?

I want music to be part of me. This should not just be the beginning and the end, but the beginning of the life-long journey.

Apart from music, what else are you doing?

I am an entrepreneur. I am running a tailoring shop in Ndirande.

How far did you go with your education?

It’s very unfortunate that I didn’t go far with my studies. I am a Standard Seven dropout. But funds permitting, I may return back to school to continue.



Gospel musician Cadocky Said Thole



Would you like to say anything before I go?

I praise God for the gift; but I would like to ask Him to nurture my career. I would also like to thank my fellow Christians for supporting my initiative.

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