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Showing posts from September, 2011

Atupele Muluzi suspended

A day after declaring interest to run for presidency, Austin Atupele Muluzi has been suspended from the party his father founded. United Democratic Front spokesperson has said Atupele, has suspended for gross indiscipline. Details coming soon. Nyasatimes has been brought down and we are experiencing hacks to this blog. If you do not find us, try facebook page with the same name!

Atupele Muluzi declares Presidential ambitions

The race is on, the candidates are slowly coming into shape. Now the most anticipated announcement is over, Machinga North East MP Autsin Atupele Muluzi will be running for presidency in 2014. The young man, declared as natural leader for the young generation has made the declaration this morning in Blantyre. Before we develop a full analysis of what needs to be done. He is a sample of a 2014 Ballot paper as it stands today: Candidate Party Peter Mutharika Aurther Democratic Progressive Party Joyce Banda Peoples Party Atupele Austin Muluzi Youth Agenda for Change Coalition (Breaaways of UDF, MCP, DPP and Aford) Fahad Assani/ Friday Jumbe/ Dr. Cassim Chilumpha- United Democratic Front John Z. U Tembo Malawi Congress Party Unkown New Congress Party Uladi Mussa Maravi Peoples Party The landscape is now developing, the major players are out, prepare yourself for a massive campaign not equalled to any before. There will be the Youth, Women and experience agenda and calls. Who emerges as a w

Jumani deported

Immigration officials have taken Jim Jumani Johannson, the man who claimed to have been Kamuzu Banda's son to the Kamuzu International Airport for deportation. Immigration officials told me just a few minutes ago that Jumani has already left the airport through Ethiopian Airlines. Jumani will now have to face his mother and many he said were bad to him. Fare thee well the young "Kamuzu'

Micheal Jackson trial, burning markets and mysterious deaths!

Breaking now: Jim Jumani Johansson is now at Lilongwe Immigration office after officers collected him from his home. He holds a Swedish passport and he is said to be deported. Updates as they come. Burning of markets and mysterious deaths This morning as I dropped from public transport, a woman told me to be careful, "your job" is among the to risk jobs in town. I looked at this ordinary woman and thanked her for her concern. An old classmate of mine from London, wrote that she was praying for me all the time. Suddenly you start thinking of death, threats or any type of attack. For sure if ordinary people start expressing fears, we are living in dangerous times. Yesterday, they buried a young man at HHI. At 25, Robert Chasowa had dreams and he had dreamnt of completing his five year journey. But he is now dead. How he died, is the question everyone is asking. His alleged suicide note, presented by the girlfreind, raises more questions than answers. I learnt about one thing ab

His Excellency Micheal Sata

Is officially the new President of Zambia. The 74 year old has tried his luck four times to claim Zambia's top job. He was once arrested and deported in Malawi after he allegedly came to meet Taiwanese Government officials. Malawi had switched relations from Taipei to Beijing. President Bingu wa Mutharika is attending the inuguration of Sata and is scheduled to depart Chileka International Airport anytime soon.

Zambian Elections Results

While it is illegal to broadcast the unofficial results by private owned Muvi and Mobi Television and The Post Newsapapers. It is not illegal for us to do the same. Here are the results officially declared at 6pm. Micheal Sata 994 090 - 44 % President Rupiah Banda 808 506 - 36% Hichilema 350 473 - 16% These are 116 of the 150 parliamentary constituencies, counted and verified. Next update in the next 20 minutes. Stay tuned

The power of the people

The Police went out, Patricia Kaliati shouted, but reality Malawians stayed home in large numbers. The victory for the day belonged once again to Malawians. The messages were conflicting, the injunctions removed and given all at the same speed. According to MBC Television Justice Joseph Mwanyunga granted another injunction to some concerned citizens. It is not still clear who these emerging concerned citizens are. Despite such information, Malawians today decided to stay at home, meaning the matters are now beyond Courts, Civil Society and even Government. The destiny of Malawians has been placed again as a collective decision of Malawians. There are lessons that can be learnt from the massive stay away by most of people. Simplistic thinking is that people were afraid of July 20. No Malawians decided to stay at home for many reason. 1. The Government should get right people for its propaganda, the message is not going through and perhaps it is time to change strategy. Threats, petrol b

Government calls for roll calls

Capital Hill and Parliament sources have reported to have been summoned for roll calls to see how many have not reported for duties. The majority of Public workers have stayed at home. At Parliament the roll call is happening now. Unconfirmed reports indicate that a Burundi national shop has beena attacked in Area 36. To be confirmed in the next one hour, stay tuned.

Bingu visiting Blantyre flea market

As the cities are empty, President Bingu wa Mutharika is scheduled to visit Blantyre Flea market that was burnt by Fire on Sunday. We are watching the developments after angry vendors had demanded answers and Government accused Civil Society and Opposition of burnign the market to win favours over the vigils that have started today. Stay tuned. He is estimated to arrive at 11 hours local time.

Lilongwe residents have mainly stayed at Home

Driving this morning to office, very few vehicles heading to all directions in Lilongwe. No visible heavy Police presence in most parts but vehicles have stayed out of roads. Banks have completely closed down for a day and most schools have asked kids to stay at home. The Civil Society seem to have gotten the first day early hours. How Police and Government react by the end of the day is what will determine the vigils at home. Hopefully no vigilantes will try to upset the morning peace. Its otherwise a Sunday morning in Malawi. Injunction update: Judge Ken Manda yesterday night refused to issue an injunction to IBAM on grounds that the same case, facts and matters were before th same court earlier on. The Vigils seem to have a legal backing. Updates to follow. In Zambia mainly urban areas PF Leader Micheal Sata has taken an early lead, but reality is that Zambia is very huge and until 80 percent is counted one cannot safely predict a winner.

Another Injunction?

Reports indicate the Indigenous Business Association of Malawi has obtained an injunction to stop vigils. Yet to be confirmed stay tuned.

Billy Mayaya- spokesperson for Vigils

Spokesperson for the Vigils slated to start tommorrow has just reported recieving orders to report to Central Region Police station. More details to follow soon. The PA systems encouraging people to go to work now reported to be in Zolozolo and other Mzuzu townships. Blantyre townships has reported many. Television Malawi continues to say vigils have been postponed.

Government sends public address systems asking people to go to work: Violence in Zambia

The Civl Society strategy to ask people to stay at home for the next three days in protest against socio-economic and political governance has caught the administration off guard. In a comical attempt after asking Malawians to stay off the streets to avoid bloodshed, Government has scrambled public address system vehicles in townships asking people to go to work tommorrow. The Public relations strategy by Government needs immediate review as they have banked on ranting officials without convincing the masses. In Zambia as voting comes to a close, sporadic violence was reported with President Rupiah Banda's posters torn and some few vehicles torched. Results to start flowing very soon stay in touch!

Vigils on- Civil society

Civil Society groups have asked all Malawians to stay at home for the next three days and hold home vigils within own communities as part of Plan B of the planned protests scheduled for today. CSO leaders who included Billy Mayaya, Peter Chinoko (both in their personal capacities), Dorothy Ngoma of National Organisation of Nurses of Midwives in Malawi (NONM), Martha Kwataine of Malawi Equity Health Network among other said that this has come becuase of the late responses from Police and City Councils.

Demonstrations injunction removed

The High Court in Blantyre has vacated the injunction stopping the holding of demonstations. Judge John Chirwa vacated the order after hearing on Saturday from Lawyers from Civil Society Ralph Kasambara and Wapona Kita. Lawyers for the concerned Citizens Christopher Chiphwanya and his colleague have filed for an immediate appeal. The political tensions continue to rise and we will continue to be updated.

Zambia Elections, Malawi demonstrations updates

The blog will start having update on General Elections in Zambia where the real contest is between INCUMBENT President Rupiah Bwezani Banda of Movement for Multiparty Democracy, seeking his second term and Micheal Sata a.k.a King Cobra of the Patriotic Front. Sata has lost the last two General elections which he claims to have been rigged. The election is interesting in the Southern Africa region as it is a step further on the consolidation of democracy in a region that has now total peace after the end of Mozambican and Angolan wars. It is also the hope of the continent in terms of economic growth. In Malawi, this morning, the Civil Society groups have been split over the holding of National wide protests now in a form of Candlelight vigils after some main groups pulled out of the events. The split has been emminent as most Malawians have been arguing for dialogue and any weakening of the Civil Society will see the masses left without any critical leadership. A dangerous trend of fir

Malawi Demonstrations; The case of September 21

Do Malawians really need to go into the streets again? The clock is ticking again and next Wednesday, the only new faces expected to wave off the anti-Government feelings are the new Ministers. We have seen the new Government spokesperson Patricia Kaliati, the new Second Vice President Yunus Mussa, the new Local Government Minister Henry Mussa and the new Labour Minister Lucious Kanyumba, saying well nothing new. The same is for the set of Kaliati, Zikhale Ng'oma and Dr. Ntaba which decided that attacking the media will dissuade Journalists from asking questions. For those that have time to go to my pre and post July 20 postings, will note one thing I have always said, Public Relations was the biggest weakness of this administration. The people in charge failed to reliase that antagonising the public is not the best approach to having them off the street, at the same time fighting the media should not be a strategy. Just like the Church, the media, even in Zimbabwe has prevailed an

Jumani Johanson's arrest

Lilongwe:The arrest of Jim Jumani Johansson the man who claims to be a son of Malawi's first President the Late Dr.Kamuzu Banda is not a suprise to many that have followed his recent postings on social media. Jumani faded out of news after the case of the Late Kamuzu's property was concluded and the multi-billion kwacha empire was transferred to National Bank of Malawi.Effectively both Mama C.T Kadzamira and the Family of the late Kamuzu led by Edwin Banda and Jane Dzanjalimodzi has very little control of the empire. Unfortunately for Jumani, the only fight left for him is just in a name and nothing else. Dr. Banda was very particular about his will and how it should be administered. The High Court ruling effctively returned the will's original state. Jumani fighting the Chiwengo family has not consequential value as the Court already ruled that he can use the name and the young Swedish man now, how to contend with being called Kamuzu Banda and nothing more. After a hyper s

The New Cabinet

President Bingu wa Mutharika yesterday fired 21 of his former 41 Cabinet Ministers in the largest shake up of Government that has seen Ministries trimmed from 21 to 17. There are now 17 Ministries after four were left out and the total number of Ministers including the President, First Lady and Vice President is at 32 down from 43, with 12 deputies which is down from 20. The departure of the 21 however saw lots of surprise return of former DPP strongmen Henry Mussa, Patricia Kaliati and Goodall Gondwe, a former deputy Minister Kingsely Namakhwa and seven new faces gracing the Cabinet for the first time. The new faces are deputy Ministers Kondwani Nankhumwa (Foreign Affairs) Vera Flamenga Cherewani (Natural Resources) Cornelius Mwalwanda (Finance) Reverend Christopher Ngwira (Lands) Ralph Jooma (Health) and Nasrin Pillane (Gender). Only Dr. Jean Kalirani is the new face with a full Cabinet portfolio as Minister of Health while Gondwe heads Natural Resources, Kaliati has returned to Inf

Barack Obama, Lady Gaga vesrsus Madonna, Muammar Ghadaffi and our own Bingu

Barack Obama today starts a journey of trying to convince American voters that he still has ideas to turn around the economy, a French Magazine reported yesterday that Pop Star Madonna dissed Lady Gaga for have an obsession over her looks. In North Africa surely Libya's strongman now a haunted man Muammar Ghadaffi is not sleeping, he is looking for a safe place to stay at every turn of a moment. In Malawi, some selected 32 people are starting a new journey- they have been appointed Cabinet Ministers and they are tasked with a job very few would accept, turn around an economy that is on its knees, while at the same time restore confidence in Government. Unfortunately this journey,just like Barack Obama's cannot be controlled by an individual but by many factors, including stern action by President Bingu wa Mutharika himself. The President needs to do more that shuffling people around. The change was the first element and now we need other areas that needs his urgent attention. P

The New Malawi Cabinet

We will list the casualties in due course: President. Commander in Chief of Armed Forces, Statutory Corporations, Civil Service and Civil Society: His Excellency PRESIDENT BINGU WA MUTHARIKA Safemotherhood Coordinator, Maternal and Child Health, HIV and Aids, Nutrition, Malaria and TB Coordinator H.E Callitsa Mutharika: The First Lady of the Republic Deputy Minister in the Office of the President and Cabinet: Mr. Nicholas Dausi Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika Deputy Minister: Mr. Kondwani Nankhumwa Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Affairs Mr. Goodall Gondwe Deputy Minister: Vera Flamenga Chelewani Minister of Education, Science and Technology Dr. George Chaponda Deputy Minister: (Basic Education) Wictor Songazaudzu Sajeni (Higher Education) Otiria Jere Minister of Finance; Dr. Ken Lipenga Deputy Minister: Dr. Cornelius Mwalwanda Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Professor Peter Mwanza Deputy Mi

Official Results by Electoral Commission: Rumphi Central Constituency

The Justice of Appeal, Anastazia Msosa - Chairperson of the Electoral Commission has declared the following as official results of the Rumphi Central Constituency bye-election held on 6th September, 2011: Alliance for Democracy: Enock Chakufwa Chihana- 6640 votes. Democratic Progressive Party: Norman Nyirenda- 3 275 Peoples Party: Chidumba Mkandawire 2 832 Peoples Development Movement: Peter Chihana 1578 Congratulations to Enock Chakufwa Chihana for victory. We now start updates on Cabinet, expected this afternoon or tommorrow afternoon. Any breaking news, keep checking this blog. Thank you for taking time to follow this real time on time updates on Malawi's current affairs. Kondwani Bell Munthali

The return of Chakufwa Chihana

Well we are now back to the new business of looking forward to the Cabinet, now that Enock Chakufwa Chihana has taken the Rumphi Central Seat. The final tallies from our correspondents who did a fabulous job timely results beating even radios and established media outlets. Very soon there will be profile of this son of Multiparty icon the late Chakufwa Chihana. The most interesting aspect is which direction will the new Chihana take. Will he rise and become his own man or will he be in he shadow of his political mentors who includes President Bakili Muluzi. He served a long time as Personal Assistant to Bakili Muluzi before joining AFORD after his fathers death where he rose to be the National Chairman. His election sends a strong message to new parties like Peoples Party and Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) to start really looking closely at why voters do not find them attractive. The loss for Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) can act as a blessing in disguise, it could be a wake up

Honourable Enock Chihana

Afords candidate closed the Rumphi Central Bye Election around midnight scooping 6334 beating DPP Norman Nyirenda who got 321o, PPs Chidumba Mkandawire 1464 and PDMs Peter Chihana closing last with 1333. A remarkable return of a party which was considered dead and split and more important a message to all political parties never to take voters for granted. The turn out was low, but the result has left the DPP with an egg on its faces. Any extreme reactions will reduce the partys chances to reclaim the North. Congratulations to Enock and I hope he will not let down the people of Rumphi Central. More congratulations to all the people for a great and lively campaign. To those who visted this page for the first time, thanks and we promise more updates on current news. God Bless Malawi as we entrench our democracy! Viva Malawi, aluta continua!

Peoples Party concedes defeat, DPP claims rigging

The Rumphi Central Constituency has reverted to the Alliance for Democracy following a truimphh of the son of the party's founding President Chakukufwa Chihana-Enock. Enock Chihana a businessman who lost in 2009 to Late Professor Moses Chirambo was declared winner at 11pm Malawian times by Peoples Party Director of Elections Reverend Emmanuel Chinkwita Phiri. The ruling Democratic Progressive Party Campaign however has dismissed the win as fake accusing Chihana of rigging and saying Electoral Commission boss Justice Anastazia Msosa also contributed to the loss. Aford Vice President Tennson Chinkhokwe Banda said the win is evidence of the rebirth of Aford which many had written off after it lost over 32 seats in previous two elections. Final results will be posted soon as we consolidate the new figures that are higher than what I tallied in polling centres.

Half way 11 Centres DPP reclaims second position

I have added MARA and JINTHAJEMBE results: Totals now are: Aford Enock Chihana: 3308 DPP Norman Nyirenda: 1118 Peoples Party: Chidumba Mkandawire; 1091 PDM Peter Chihana 576 Results and more results coming. In the next six centres we can start declaring who the winners is. We are waiting Chozoli side and Lake Side area.

Nine out of 22 Centres Enock Chihana is leading

The results are now coming at a fast pace; I am compiling them now in four centres. Next updates will mainly be adding up votes. DPP Campaign Chief still angry that his colleagues have deserted him at the tally centre. Here are results from nine centres. The latest is Bumba which is added to this final tally Aford Enock Chihana: 3052 DPP Norman Nyirenda: 986 Peoples Party: Chidumba Mkandawire; 1075 PDM Peter Chihana; 564

Uzumara votes for Peoples Party

Uzumara Polling Centre Peoples Party: Chidumba Mkandawire; 222 Aford: Enock Chihana: 53 DPP: Norman Nyirenda: 39 PDM: Peter Chihana 7 Mphompha One Polling Centre Peoples Party: Chidumba Mkandawire; 13 Aford: Enock Chihana: 162 DPP: Norman Nyirenda: 50 PDM: Peter Chihana 4 Mphompha two polling centre Aford: Enock Chihana:403 DPP: Norman Nyirenda: 146 Peoples Party: Chidumba Mkandawire; 32 PDM: Peter Chihana 23

Update: Usowoya Polling centre

Aford: Enock Chihana: 158 DPP: Norman Nyirenda: 67 Peoples Party: Chidumba Mkandawire 28 PDM: Peter Chihana 19

First four centres out of 22 Aford is leading

Aford in four centres: Enock Chihana: 1552 Democratic Progressive Party Norman Nyirenda: 500 Peoples Party Peter Chihana: 324 Peoples Development Movement Chidumba Mkandawire: 278 In coming, DPP Campaign Chief screaming on phone that he has been left alone at the Tally centre.

Rumphi Central Update:

Results from several centres have started arriving; Enock Chihana officially leading in most centres. Ng'onga centre Aford: 651 DPP: 264 PP: 86 PDM: 62 Magistrate Aford; 496 PP; 158 PDM: 131 DPP: 82 St. Dennis Centre Aford: 231 PP: 63 PDM; 57 DPP; 41 KASENGA Aford: 174 DPP: 113 PDM: 28 PP: 17

First Centre undeclared and unconfirmed near Bumba

Alliance for Democracy; 269 Peoples Party: 68 Peoples Development Movement: 62 Democractic Progressive Party: 42 The centre will be confirmed in due course. Ground zero network is a challenge but the updates will still come consistently from 9pm.

Rumphi Central Bye Elections

Candidates are; Norman Nyirenda: Democratic Progressive Party Enock Chakufwa Chihana: Alliance for Democracy Peter Chihana: Peoples Development Movement Chidumba Mkandawire: Peoples Party. Results are trickling in slowly and updates will be available every ten minutes from 9pm Malawian time or 7pm GMT. Stay tuned to hear Malawis most watched bye-election.

Opposition could pay for its greed

One biggest advantage President Bingu wa Mutharika and his ruling Democratic Progressive Party has over all political parties, is that they face one of the most fractious opposition parties in the country. They are split both internally-that is within own parties just are so different even in party colours. Take the example of the latest spat from Joyce Bsnda- Vice President of Malawi who heads the opposition Peoples Party and the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), instead of opening doors that could see the parties either merge or work out all details early, Banda believes time will be ripe for discussions in 2013 when it would be normally very late to make proper concessions. The opposition in Malawi has consistently won the elections save for 2009 but has never gone into Government due to the split they always encourage and mostly based on personal greed. In 1999, John Tembo frustrated his then Party President Gwanda Chaukamba after he was dumped as a running mate for the Preside