Kondwani Munthali -Malawi

HAPPY APRIL ONE PEOPLE ITS FOOLS DAY- NOTHING IS BREAKING

In 2003, I had a colleague of mine and a son to a Zimbabwean Minister in my favourite African country Swaziland when after having all the fun young people could have, an Angolan lady who we nick named gasosa, asked our politically connected youth activist how he was coping with all the "problems" in Zimbabwe. Gasosa according to the Angolan is a term for corruption in Police service and we thought as we laughed at the translation of gasosa, he would be defensive to what was happening in Zimbabwe. Our colleague simply said "Zimbabwe" is going through challenges after which all the politicians will come together for the common good of the people. In 2008 when I went to cover harmonised elections, I met my colleague, but President Robert Mugabe had lost the election. I travelled wide and far including Mugabe's home near Norton, it was a shame that the veteran leader was being rejected by his own people. People rejected his belief that he was doing something good f...

I saw a queue of sugar this morning. I asked myself where are we heading as a nation. I remembered Isaiah 22 verse 3: All rulers are fled together, they are bound by the archers; all that are found in thee are bound together, which have fled from far. Can someone safely say today that they have hope that tomorrow, fuel or sugar will be available? Is there hope that no one will be arrested for criticising Government. Which opposition party offers hope to Malawians that tomorrow they will not make the same mistake the Democratic Progressive Party is making when they are in power. UDF did the same, so too DPP has become the most feared names than loved names in household. I love Mulanje and Phalombe districts for their freshness, that I take every excuse in the Southern Region to drink up at Kara O Mula or drive through Phodogoma up to Chiringa for fun. But last time I stopped somewhere, people were scared even just to mention a name of a place. Let us restore hope to every Malawian by ha...

Out of all my work at Nation Publications Limited, one thing I have come to be accosted is accusations of where my loyalty and that of my newspaper lie. Towards 2009 General Elections I did a story on African Union trying to ask former President Bakili Muluzi not to run again. I was instantly accused of being DPP. Some obscene amounts of money were said to have been paid to some of us, unfortunately, that money never reached out pockets. In December 2010, I got a close call from a colleague at the State House, I was warned of appearing on minutes of Journalists who included Raphael Tenthani, Brian Banda and others working for Joyce Banda. I have never worked for Joyce Banda in any capacity, I respect her as a politician and grassroot mobiliser, but I am not a member of any structures of Peoples Party. Even that ridiculous suggestion that we met in Blantyre was strange that someone decided to create minutes that were not only stupid, but undermined our capacity as thinkers that we would...

The country needs a prayer, after a weekend break will resume my postings tommorrow. Today let us leave the direction Malawi is undertaking to the Lord God Almighty. A worship sing worth singing is entitled In Christ Alone. Here are the lyrics: In Christ Alone lyrics Songwriters: Getty, Julian Keith; Townend, Stuart Richard; In Christ alone my hope is found He is my light, my strength, my song This Cornerstone, this solid ground Firm through the fiercest drought and storm What heights of love, what depths of peace When fears are stilled, when strivings cease My Comforter, my All in All Here in the love of Christ I stand In Christ alone, who took on flesh Fullness of God in helpless Babe This gift of love and righteousness Scorned by the ones He came to save ?Til on that cross as Jesus died The wrath of God was satisfied For every sin on Him was laid Here in the death of Christ I live, I live There in the ground His body lay [From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/n/natalie-grant-lyrics/in-...

In a Police circus that now has no end, Police are clinging to Atupele Muluzi and have refused to grant him bail citing a certain technicality. Atupele Muluzi officially now is in detention as under Laws of Malawi can hold a suspect up to 48 hours. Jai Banda, Atupeles Lawyer says they are refusing him bail to allow him travel to Blantyre on his own. Atupele is a crowd puller and the movements could see thousands line up from Lilongwe to Blantyre to see this popular politician, fast becoming a symbol of the struggle in Malawi. The blog will be travelling with Atupele's convoy, and real time updates will be posted throughout the journey.

As of 7.36pm the news that Atupele Muluzi has been granted Police bail is not accurate. His Laywer Jai Banda has just confirmed that they are still negotiating with the Police. It had been a frustrating process as the Police are now acting illegally since 48 hours has elapsed and they can no longer keep him under custody without Court authority. The law says they must bring him before Court to charge him or be told the reasons he is still being held. Vigil outside the hospital continues....