Police clears nachipanti captor

BY WATIPASO MZUNGU JNR

Police have finished probing Innocent Matewere into allegations that he was part of the syndicate that used to terrorize Ndirande Township with mysterious attacks.

Police had instituted investigations on Matewere following a claim by the now convicted and jailed ‘nachipanti’ Jack Bandawe in court that his captor was one of the nocturnal bloodsuckers who only revolted after some disagreements with his friends.

Southern region police publicist Davie Chingwalu told Maranath Mzungu yesterday that criminal investigation officers had found that Bandawe’s claims were baseless, motivated by ill-feeling towards the ‘Ndirande Hero’.

“Our office has found what Bandawe said was not true. There was no communication between the two, which means the implication was only based on fury [that he had been captured] and ill-will,” Chingwalu said.

“However, we do understand somehow why the convict implicated Matewere. It’s not strange to see a suspect implicating people who arrested him. Matewere is a free man; he had no hand in those attacks,” he added.

Matewere had earlier indicated that he was failing to receive awards from people of goodwill because the police had not released a report on the matter. Before the ‘nachipanti’ saga, some pledged to award anyone who would catch the attackers.

“All the people who promised to award me are failing to do so because I’m under probe. I would like the police to tell the nation the truth regarding the progress of the investigations,” he said.

Asked about his general health, Matewere said he was passing in “difficult times where only God is his shield”.

“I’m in constant prayers with Bishop Kambalazaza [of the Charismatic Reedemed Ministries] because the situation is really tough for me. I would like to thank Minister of Internal Affairs and Public Security and Peter Mkhito [Inspector General of Police] for being supportive during these difficult times,” he said.

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Voter apathy pathway to dictatorship

BY WATIPASO MZUNGU JNR

Pan African Civic Education (Pacenet) in conjunction with Centre for Alternatives for Victimized Women and Children (Cavwoc) on Friday warned people in Chiradzulu against boycotting the forthcoming local government elections, saying the tendency will slide Malawi back to one-party state.

The organizations said voter apathy is detrimental to democracy as it encourages people in authority to manipulate their way into positions of leadership (buying votes).

The warning comes few days after by-elections in Dowa and Mangochi-Malombe Constituencies registered severe voter apathy, which also earned Malawi Electoral Commission (EC) and public worries.

Speaking at Mhasuwa CDSS when he opened a two-day training workshop for civic and voter educators, Pacenet executive director, Steve Duwa, expressed concern over people’s general lack of interest in elections after the 2004 general elections, saying the civil society can forsee a serious voter apathy in the next year’s local polls.

Voter turnout across all ages has been declining and according to Duwa, this could be a protest to their leaders.

“Unfortunately, though, this is not the best option to deal with ineffective leadership. Staying away from an election will only help ineffective and unwanted leaders to stay in office forever,” he said.

“I’m urging all eligible voters in this district to actively follow and participate in the local elections. Your vote is needed in a democracy,” Duwa added.

On women representation in the council elections, the Pacenet boss called upon people in the country to give women aspirants all the support for them to realize their dreams.

“But perhaps most of all, there's a sense that politics is dirty business. Some people assume moral and ethical individuals won't run because they can't stomach the compromises needed to raise the money and dodge the investigative reporters. There's also a perception that unless you're a wealthy, you might as well forget it. No! This is your chance women, try your luck,” he said.

In an interview, events coordinator in traditional authorities (TAs) Nkalo, Mpunga and Likoswe, George Chakwiya, called for vigorous and quality civic and voter education to woo more people into taking part in the polls slated for April 23 next year.

“A serious civic education is needed here. Many people don’t know the difference between an MP and a councilor. They are wondering why they should be going to polls next while their legislators are still alive,” explained Chakwiya.

Pacenet in collaboration with Cavwoc are conducting civic and voter education and 50-50 women representation campaigns in TAs Nkalo, Mpunga and Likoswe funding from Action Aid International Malawi (AAIM).
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Teachers protest “new” selection criteria

BY WATIPASO MZUNGU JNR

The pathetic pass rates Malawi National Examinations Board (Maneb) continues to register every year have moved government to take a tough stance on selection of students into public secondary schools, saying it will now on enforce an old-standing policy where only deserving pupils will earn places in secondary schools.

But some members of the teaching profession have condemned the policy describing it a “demotivation to the teacher who has no benefits apart from that of enrolling his relatives into secondary schools of their choice”.

In a press statement released yesterday, Ministry of Education expressed concern over a growing tendency by guardians rquesting the ministry to admit their wards to public secondary schools. Some of the learners being admitted to secondary schools through such arrangements were “undeserving” to be in secondary schools.

Apart from compromising the quality of education in secondary schools, the system gave room to some unscrupulous individuals to issue unauthorized letters of admissions or transfers purporting to be issued by the ministry or schools.

“This created unnecessary pressure on the ministry resulting in over-enrolment of secondary schools with all the negative consequences of high student: teacher ratio and unhygienic conditions, especially in hostels, du to congestion,” says the statement in part.

“In an effort to ensure high quality of education and fairness, admission of secondary school school students will be based on merit and that applications for places in secondary schools will no longer be entertained,” the ministry emphasizes.

Education activists, Link for Education Governance (LEG), commended the ministry for coming up with strict measures for ensuring quality of education.

But the organization warned the ministry against applying the “merit system” on students with special needs, saying, if applied with consideration on minority groups, the policy may create devastating effects on special needs education.

“The policy is good for curbing malpractices that may compromise the quality of education in the country. However, there should be a special consideration for pupils with special needs who have passed, but failed to secure places in secondary schools. These are minority groups, which need to be promoted,” said Andrew Ussi, LEG director of policy and advocacy.

Teachers Union of Malawi (TUM) president Chauluka Muwake was not immediately for comment, but some teachers confided in Maranatha Mzungu accused the ministry of introducing crucial policies behind the back of implementers (teachers).

The teachers further hinted that the system will also affect their financial base since some members of the noble profession used to benefit from the current system through backdoor.

“They (ministry) had to consult us as implementers. I look at this policy as discrimination; it’s a demotivation to teachers. Our job enjoys no other benefits other than this privilege of enrolling our relatives into secondary schools of our choice,” said a secondary school teacher based in Blantyre. “I should tell you in confidence that some of the children we enrolled in schools were not necessarily our relatives. They were paying us and that was our allowance.”

The ministry’s public relations officer Lindiwe Chide could not pick her phone yesterday when we sought to get her views on allegations that they do not consult when formulating policies.

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Muscco, CCA share skills



Chingakule at Sun and Sand in Mangochi



BY WATIPASO MZUNGU JNR

Malawi Union of Savings and Credit Cooperatives (Muscco) has called upon people in charge of credit cooperatives (Saccos) to embrace the principles of good governance and innovation for the success and growth of cooperatives in the country.  

Speaking when she opened a three-day Muscco and Canadian Cooperative Association (CCA) directors’ governance training and mentorship workshop in Mangochi, Muscco president Elizabeth Chingakule singled out bad governance as one of the causes of cooperatives’ failure in the Malawi.

Chingakule said although Saccos have registered a tremendous growth during the past years, there was still need for the continued innovation and good governance in the leadership of the cooperatives to ensure sustainability.

“I strongly believe that everything rises and falls on leadership; leadership sets the tone. When I look at the cooperatives that have failed, invariably you will find that bad governance played a big part,” said Chingakule.

“I, therefore, believe that local Sacco leaders will benefit much from the expertise and experiences from our Canadian counterparts who have a long history in cooperatives. The expertise gained here will help us take our cooperatives to a greater height,” she stated.



Reeves making a speech in Mangochi



In her remarks, director for International Program Committee, Penny Reeves, expressed satisfaction on how Muscco is running cooperatives in the country.

“From the information I have from the journal, they are doing well and looking forward to expand. I think they’ve a bright future. This training will offer them an opportunity to learn what we are doing in Canada,” said Reeves.

This is the second time for Muscco and CCA to hold directors’ governance training and mentorship workshop. They had their first meeting in January this year.

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Ndirande ‘hero’ under probe

BY THERESA CHAPULAPULA  

Police have finally instituted investigations to establish as to whether or not Innocent Matewere the man who caught Jack Bandawe had a hand in the Ndirande mysterious attacks. 

Bandawe stunned the court on January 12 when he indicated that Matewere was part of the syndicate. 

Southern Region police publicist Superintendent Davie Chingwalu confirmed the development in an interview over the weekend. 

“As you are aware that Bandawe claimed in court that Matewere had a hand on the Ndirande attacks, so we want to establish the truth,” he said. 

He said the investigations would help to establish the truth on the matter. 

“If his name was just mentioned, then his name will be cleared after the investigations,” Chingwalu said. 

He could not say how far the police have gone with investigations on the allegations. 

When contacted, Matewere said,” I can not comment on the matter. Bandawe has mentioned my name, so how can a suspect grant an interview.” 

Matewere indicated that he would grant an interview once the issue is finalised in court. 

This comes barely three weeks after Malawi Television recognised Matewere by giving him an award for catching Bandawe. 

Bandawe claimed that his capture was a set up to get him caught because he was planning to run away to South Africa. 

Bandawe also popularly known as Nachipanti with his co-accused Alinuswe Munde, Towera Chisa, Kelvin Kelly Chisa and Noel Numeri are answering three counts of burglary, theft and causing grievous harm. 

They have also other murder cases to answer at the High Court.

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