Centre For Social Concern Kanengo Malawi/ revue de Presse

As the Malawi nation has commemorated 42 years of independence and peaceful existence it came as a surprise that some opposition leaders were not around to participate. President Mutharika who had earlier on invited all Malawians to the function got the shock of his life when some notable opposition members were absent. Malawi Congress Party MCP leader John Tembo was conspicuously absent despite reports that he had officially been invited. However honourable Tembo denied such reports saying he only got an invitation letter on the 10th of July while the function was on the 6th.

The much-publicised arrival of former president Dr Bakili Muluzi happened in the month under review. Muluzi who is also the national chairman of the United Democratic Front UDF had been postponing his return trip several times. Finally Muluzi came amid reports of his being arrested on arrival. Some analysts have commended Muluzi's utterances that have among other things centred on him not participating in active politics. Muluzi also assured UDF members that he would not waste time in planning Mutharika's impeachment. These sentiments have been viewed as a stepping-stone towards improving the relationship between president Mutharika and his predecessor Bakili Muluzi. The two have not been on good terms of late as observed in the press.

Barely weeks after Alliance For Democracy AFORD party president late Chakufwa Chihana's burial, some political observers said the party would come to an end. This has been proved wrong as already some defectors attended the party's National Executive Committee NEC meeting. Such a gesture could mean that the defectors and those who remained might solve their differences and unite. However other analysts have warned that the party should watch out in case the defectors are coming back in order to get the best positions in the party. But in a rather surprising manner the AFORD party announced that there is a vacancy for the post of president of the party.

Political experts have expressed concern over the Members of Parliament's latest comments on the proposed budget. Press reports revealed that some opposition MPs threatened to overthrow the 2006/2007 budget despite earlier comments by observers that it was a good budget. Now the situation has completely changed and MPs sing a different tune asking for an increase in their salaries. Currently they are receiving K 350,000 a month and they would want to have their salaries raised to K450.00. This according to some observers only shows that the MPs have their own welfare at heart despite being sent to the August House by constituents who are mostly very poor. As such an increase is impossible the question still remains whether the budget will be passed.

Recent media reports have shown that the Malawi government is now under pressure from various sectors of the society over the delay in conducting local government elections. Among them are the members of parliament who feel the absence of Councillors has affected the assemblies a great deal. Civil Society organisations have also urged government to speed up funding the local polls now that the hunger crisis is over. Press reports disclosed that the German ambassador did ask young politicians to lobby for the holding of the much-delayed polls. Currently Malawi is operating without counsellors a thing that has left everything in the hands of the assemblies without political oversight. It has also been reported that this is also one of the issues that parliamentarians took turns in asking for quick local government elections.

The month July had its share of political squabbles as evidenced by the continued postponement of the budget sitting of parliament. The arrest of Bakili Muluzi took centre stage. Dr Muluzi's arrest surprised some political analysts who believe the action came at a wrong time when government needed all the support from the opposition to pass the budget. Other political experts have warned that the arrest could fuel political instability among Malawians. Surprisingly Muluzi was released and president Mutharika suspended Director of the Anti Corruption Bureau ACB Gustav Kaliwo.

Economic experts have commended the 2006/2007 budget but have expressed concerns over some of the issues that are in the package. Press reports have shown that the amount of money that is going to be tax free if the budget is passed is just too little. Finance minister Goodall Gondwe in his budget presentation proposed that there should be a tax waiver to people whose income is K6000.This means that those who are paid more than this amount have to pay tax on any amount higher than K 6000. Some economic experts feel there is need to raise this threshold for the benefit of people who earn very little and find it difficult to make ends meet.

It seems the tobacco-selling season will never run away from controversy. With reports of buyers offering very minimal prices farmers kept wondering why their gold leaf could be sold for as little as 40 Cents/kilogram. Now the farmers regret that they had put their expectation high because they earlier had been promised to have their tobacco sold at much higher prices. Earlier on farmers had seen a light at the end of the tunnel as regards their tobacco prices after president Bingu wa Mutharika had called buyers to offer them a minimum of $ 1.10. Now that the gold leaf is being sold at 40 Cents a kilogram, is so worrisome considering the amount of money and energy that goes in producing Malawi's main cash crop.

Press reports in the month under review also disclosed that Malawi's possibility of getting its debt cancelled relies mainly on the budget. Finance minister Goodall Gondwe disclosed that the delays in passing the budget could hinder Malawi's chances of debt relief. Earlier in the month it was reported that the International Monetary Fund IMF would meet to assess Malawi's performance and determine if it could receive debt relief. Now that the passing of the budget has been delayed it may be difficult to have the debt cancelled, and currently Malawi owes over K420 billion.

Although all seems to be gloomy as regards the economic sector experts have predicted a year of economic growth. Press reports have disclosed that Finance minister Goodall Gondwe and International Monetary Fund have chosen to differ with such gloom. The finance minister feels that because there has been a bumper yield this means there will be no need for importing foodstuffs from other countries. This will enable Malawi's forex reserves to increase unlike some months ago when money was being used to import foodstuffs.

The month of July also saw yet another fuel price increase barely 2 months after the previous raise. Such fuel increases have always been a bitter pill to swallow for an ordinary Malawian who relies on paraffin for fuel. To imagine that after only 2 months the prices have gone up again is a painful revelation to consumers who have to add a few more kwachas to purchase fuel. Again such increases will also affect commuters whose bus fares will surely go up. Furthermore some traders use the fuel increases as one way of doubling the prices of their merchandise at the expense of consumers. With the many economic hardships Malawi is facing fuel increases are something that people can do without. But who cares? After all the 193 members of parliament, representatives of the poor Malawians are well off seeing their salaries and sitting allowances.

The inflation in recent months fell mainly because of the availability of food, which resulted in low costs of farm produce. Availability of food on the market came about after a year of good rains in most areas and the fact that people could access fertilizers at the right time and at cheaper prices. Food is one of the major components of measuring inflation. Its availability has helped the rates to go down. Press reports have disclosed that in the month of June inflation decreased to 15.3 % from 15.8 %. Such a move is what economists would always want as lower inflation does help to lower bank interests rates so that people can access loans at lower cost.

Press reports on food security have disclosed that the food shortages that Malawi experienced early this year have had an effect on the stock in the maize silos in Lilongwe. The scarcity of maize in the country forced authorities to use all the grain reserves to the extent that the silos are now empty. Against this background the National Food Reserve Agency NFRA is now looking for suppliers to replenish the grain reserves. It is quite wise to have the silos replenished now when people have the grain in abundance. To buy the maize locally will stimulate the economy and the replenishment of the silos will give hope to Malawians that if the issue of food shortage occurs again the buffer would enable the nation to feed itself for six weeks, the time required to import further food if required.

Agricultural experts in the month under review disclosed that there is need for a specific policy on maize as it is the country's staple food. But at the moment traders market and distribute the grain without following any policy. This resulted in the scarcity of the grain at the time the country needed it most. At times people would rather market the grain outside Malawi while the country's citizens desperately need the same food. Experts from Bunda College have observed that there is need to put in place strategies that would enable the production of the grain. They strongly suggest that the authorities formulate such a policy after doing thorough research and not at the time things have gone extremely bad and the grain is not available.

Although the press has indicated early in the year that Malawi has experienced bumper yields, recent reports have revealed that some people might still need food aid. Most Malawians have harvested a lot of maize this year but the fact remains that some areas were hit by a dry spell and people will need government's intervention sooner or later. Media reports have disclosed that it is estimated that more than 800,000 people will need food aid. It is estimated that these people will require K1.8 billion that would be used to buy maize and other foodstuffs. Reports have also shown that the country this year has the highest yields of maize since the year 2000.

The Malawi Human Rights Commission MHRC this month expressed concern over reports of increased torture in police cells. Much as the police are entitled to get information from the suspects MHRC feels that torturing them is going too far. Press reports have revealed that there has been an increase in the number of suspects that have suffered torture in the hands of police officers when they were trying to get information from the people on remand. While it is true that police officers need to have information from suspects to solve their crimes, any beating but especially beating them up to the extent of breaking their limbs is going too far. There is need for a more civilised way of getting information from the accused now that we have a reformed Police.

During the budget sitting of parliament this month the civil society among others has voiced their concerns over the conduct of members of the house. The demands the MPs voiced to government over their salary increase met strong criticisms from some civil society organisations. To begin with the organisations feel the MPs should not put their welfare first at the expense of the whole nation. To consider that they were demanding a 75% salary increase when the majority of Malawians are waiting for the budget to be passed in order to start lifting them out of poverty is sheer madness. Bearing this in mind some civil society organisations wrote press releases to announce their disappointment over the continued disruption of the deliberations in the house. Such acts by the Mps led to the speaker extending the period of sitting so that debates would reach completion.

The Malawi nation learnt with shock the story of a petrol bomb being exploded in a catholic church at St Francis Parish at Kanengo in Lilongwe. Press reports disclosed that it is unheard of for a person to do such an act in any place of worship. Malawi as a God fearing nation has great respect for places of worship and reports of petrol bombs are something that any living soul in the country never thought of. Therefore there was a strong condemnation of this act of madness. The Pastors Voice Association condemned such an act of violence in the strongest terms. Meanwhile press reports have disclosed that one of the victims of the petrol bomb Blessings Stefano, 28, is admitted at Milpark hospital in South Africa and will under go 6 surgeries at a cost of US$ 35000. The parish community is soliciting funds to cover the cost. May the good Lord heal Blessings. Acts like these remind us that as a nation we must be tolerant of each other and avoid all hate talk because this can lead to further violence. Religion must become a force for unity, not division.

Press reports disclosed that there is a Non Governmental Organisation that is suspected to be involved in a human trafficking racket. The NGO is reported to be changing its name every now and then just to confuse people. However the organisation is known to have promised people jobs in other countries but has been doing things contrary to what it was registered to be doing. Against this background the umbrella body of NGOs the Council for Non Governmental Organisations of Malawi CONGOMA thought of suspending the dubious NGO. There is need for a more close scrutiny of such questionable organisations whose main aim is not known if we are to save dear brothers and sisters who are looking for employment. The fact that Malawi has high levels of unemployment as a country should not be a source of victimisation.

The issue of racism among some employers in the country resurfaced in the press in the month under review. After a series of stories concerning discrimination at one of the elite schools in Blantyre some months ago the issue resurfaced this month. Press reports have disclosed that indigenous Malawians are being discriminated against at the school. The locals are being given very minimal salaries compared to fellow teachers who are of Asian origin. Despite having the same qualifications as the teachers of Asian origin the locals get small amounts of income. Against this background some organisations have condemned the presence of racism at the school. Reports have shown that 2 black teachers that spoke against the acts of discrimination have been suspended for spilling the beans.

In response to the increasing number of deaths at Chichiri prison as reported last month in the press, it was established that 13 people died at the prison only in the month of May. Against this background authorities moved some of the prisoners to Mwanza prison to ease the congestion that Chichiri is currently facing. Press ports have revealed that the prison was designed to house 1000 convicts but currently there are 1600 prisoners. With reports of poor sanitation and transmission of airborne diseases the relocation of some of the prisoners will not only ease congestion but also curb the spread of disease.

Press reports in the month under review have revealed that Malawi is ranking high in human trafficking. To make matters worse it is not only adults that are targeted but children as well. Much as people would want to protect children's rights some have resorted to use them in unlawful trade. Reports have shown that Malawian women are taken mainly to South Africa and to some other African countries. Again some are taken to Europe under pretext of getting a good job but where they work as commercial sex workers. Although this is the case the country does not have the real figures as regards human trafficking issues. There is need for concerted efforts from all stakeholders if the trend is to stop.

Although many people have spoken against the abuse of children's rights it seems the warnings have landed on deaf ears. Press reports in the month under review have disclosed that some districts have high rates of child abuse. Mzimba district has been reported as one district that is leading in child abuse cases. It makes one wonder why cases of child abuse continue to be heard when a good number of organisations are doing their utmost to spread human rights messages. It calls for another medium of transmitting issues of child abuse to the masses. There is no doubt that there is something wrong in the way the messages are sent out.

Press reports in the month under review have revealed that although some quarters of society are holding hands to fight against wife inheritance some people in Mzimba district have chosen to differ. Wife inheritance has been identified as one of the cultural practices that have contributed to the spread of HIV/AIDS. However some residents in Mzimba have announced that the practice has its benefits and needs not to be stopped. They have since said the practice helps in ensuring that there is no property grabbing. But such a practice cannot be encouraged in order to stop property grabbing as there is no way people can solve one abuse by introducing another.

Some members of parliament in the month under review observed that there is need to abolish all Community Day Secondary Schools. The sentiments came after a heated debate on the standards of education in the country. Some parliamentarians noted that the current situation of poor education standards can be attributed to the introduction of Community Day Secondary Schools. Press reports have revealed that some teachers that were recruited to teach in the schools were not fit to deal with secondary school syllabuses. This resulted in half-baked students who graduated from such schools. To this extent parents with enough money resort to sending their children to other schools rather than waste their children's time at Community Day Secondary Schools. Now with such sentiments from the lawmakers who want to have the schools closed what is to become of the students who are already in the schools

The month of July also witnessed a number of questionable acts of violence by some students. Despite having school authorities that always preach about discipline to pupils, the month of July had its share of cases of indiscipline among students. Against this background the minister for the education sector honourable Anna Kachikho condemned all acts of indiscipline among students. The press had earlier in the month reported about students damaging school property and other sorts of violence including beating a suspected thief.

Although Malawi introduced free primary school education the press reports that there is need to do a lot more as regards secondary school fees. They mention that after excelling in their primary school education some orphans fail to go to secondary school because of school fees. The orphaned students who have no way to get money for their fees, fail to continue with their education. Against this background Joint Oxfam has asked for exemption of school fees for such needy students. If the plea is indeed acted upon with haste, the future of orphans could be brighter if they accessed education for free.

Press reports in the month under review also centred on the increased use of fake certificates among Malawians. It seems there are a lot of employees who are getting jobs that they do not deserve. It was disclosed that some job seekers get forged certificates that show good grades in order to access nice jobs. Some employees were nicked for having fake certificates. The Malawi National Examinations Board MANEB has in recent times intensified its search for such dubious certificates. In the same vein some Members of Parliament who are alleged to be using fake certificates have also shown their willingness to have their certificates scrutinised. If this materialises some will be exposed, as MANEB is leaving no stone unturned in the pursuit for offenders.

The ministry of health in the month under review launched the National HIV testing week. Among other things reports have shown that a good number of Malawian citizens are not aware of their status as regards HIV/AIDS. Against this background the ministry in conjunction with the National Aids Commission NAC initiated the move to raise awareness among Malawians over the need to know one's status. The week targeted 50,000 people among who were politicians who had their blood tested. Even president Bingu wa Mutharika and Madame Ethel Mutharika went for the test in bid to lead by example. It all calls for a spirit of openness for the nation as a whole to go for testing.

The press also mentions that Tuberculosis TB continues to haunt many in the country. Although Malawi was commended for being one of the countries that has done a lot in the fight against TB, it was disclosed that cases of the disease still continue to increase. Reports have disclosed that TB is killing more than 8000 people annually. Cases of death caused by the disease have continued in Malawi's hospitals with 22 people dying every day. If the trend continues Malawi could continue to lose some of its productive citizens. In addition the sector continues to lose a lot of resources in fighting the disease. It also calls for willingness on part of the patients to finish the required dosage so that they can be cured fully. It has been reported that Ndirande Township in Blantyre City has higher records of people suffering from TB because of poor sanitation.

Reports in the month under review have shown that the ministry of health introduced another way of dealing with increasing shortages of staff in the sector. After trying different ways of motivating medical personnel so that they will not leave the sector this time around they have come up with new methods. Press reports indicate that the ministry is in an exercise of re-engaging retired staff to beef up the existing shortages of staff. The current situation as regards the number of staff in the hospitals is so pathetic that a single doctor attends to over thousands of patients. Now that government is in the process of re-engaging some more staff, it will come as a relief to other medical personnel who are working tirelessly.

Malawi joined the world in commemorating breastfeeding week. Although expectant mothers are told of the need to breastfeed their babies press reports have revealed that some continue to use other forms of milks. Nutritionists have however stressed the importance of breast milk, which is rich in nutrients. Breast milk has also been proved to raise the bond between the mother and baby. The commemoration is to raise awareness among mothers over the need to continually breast feed their babies.

Environmental reports in the month of July tackled some of the issues that are taken for granted by some people living in the lakeshore areas. The press disclosed that Malawi continues to lose its fish in the waters of Malawi every now and then. This has been attributed to the tendency of over fishing among fishermen in Malawi. Despite the fact that government sensitised the fishermen about the breeding season when they should leave the fish to breed, it seems such work has fallen on deaf ears as evidenced by the continued shortages of fish. On the same note fishermen have always been civic educated about the need to avoid catching certain small sized fish, but continue to do this at the expense of the numbers of fish in the lakes and rivers. Perhaps there is need to find some other ways of solving the problem if the future generation is to enjoy the nutritious species of fish in our lakes.

The press in the month under review disclosed that although there is saying that fire is a good servant but a bad master, some forest officials in Zomba use this adage to look after trees. Although many times people would regard bush fire as an enemy to the environment, forest officials in Zomba Mountain are using fire to take care of their trees. The fire in these areas is used to control bush fires and helps to kill some growth that could be seen to harmful to trees. Reports have shown that while it might be true that fire has at several times been regarded as an enemy to trees others have decided to use it in a controlled way, so it remains a friend.

Some government officials in the month under review spoke at length about the need to seriously conserve our natural resources. The Ministry of Energy, Mines and Natural Resources disclosed that Malawi needs to focus on stopping the degradation of trees, as it is the reason why other natural resources continue to be in a dilapidated state. Against this background government feels deforestation must carefully be looked into and so some of the problems concerning the environment will come to an end. Reports have shown that the continued soil erosion that has ended up polluting rivers has come about because of the bare grounds. Now when there is pollution in the rivers the number of fish goes down. It all goes back to deforestation because by controlling the cutting down of trees all the other forms of environmental degradation will come to an end.

President Bingu wa Mutharika scored another point as regards the appointment of women in decision-making positions. As the fight to reach a representation of 30% in top positions continues, president Mutharika in the month under review appointed the first female Attorney General, Justice Dr Jane Ansah to replace Ralph Kasambara who was fired some weeks ago. Gender activists have applauded Dr Ansah's appointment as the right choice for the position. The new AG's appointment comes at a time when some quarters are accusing Mutharika of not sticking to his promise of appointing people on merit. Recently Mutharika announced a cabinet that comprised of some questionable characters. Meanwhile observers have hailed the Jane Ansah's appointment.

As the fight against gender based violence continues some more organisations have added their voices on the matter. Press reports have disclosed that the Public Affairs Committee PAC has joined the fight with an aim of reducing the practices. PAC this month launched a nationwide campaign against gender-based violence. With increasing cases of women who are having their rights violated PAC feels people need more awareness so that they know about their rights as wives and children. On the other hand the perpetrators will also be put on notice that they are in the wrong every time they get involved in gender-based violence if they are slammed with tough sentences.

One gender columnist commented at length on some of the issues that were tabled in the National Assembly concerning women. One such issue is the fact that women continue to dance at political rallies. Press reports have shown that some women go to dance for politicians at the expense of their jobs and families. Now there have been concerns from various sectors that feel the time is ripe for women to stop dancing for politicians. It is now time women concentrated on their careers and families. Reports have shown that although men continue to blame women for dancing against their will during political functions, the females have never shown any sign of stopping. It is against this background that some people feel it is time to stop dancing for politicians.

Reports in the month under review have revealed that marriage break ups caused by third parties could be stories of the past if the newly drafted Marriage Divorce and Family Relations Bill turns into law. Some marriages have come to an end because of third parties interference. Now the bill that the Malawi Law Commission has drafted will among other things take people who poke their noses in other people's marriages to task. With this draft bill some people who feel tortured by their in-laws and outsiders in the marriages will at least see a glimmer of hope in their relationships. Perhaps this draft bill could help in building up trust among relations.

Center for Social Concern (CFSC)
Box 40049 Lilongwe 4
Area 25
Next to St. Francis Parish
Tel: 01 715 632
jkuppens@malawi.net -