NAP lauds Mutharika Govt for bold CDF’ transformative reforms

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Airtel Malawi

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The National Advocacy Platform (NAP) has hailed the Government of Malawi for what it has described as a bold, visionary and long overdue decision to reform the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), describing the move as a milestone in promoting decentralisation, accountability and equitable development across the country.

In a statement jointly signed by NAP Chairperson Benedicto Kondowe and National Coordinator Baxton Nkhoma, the organisation commended the Minister of Local Government for unveiling a comprehensive reform package in Parliament under the theme “Power to the People: Rebuilding Local Leadership and Revamping the CDF for True Community Empowerment.”

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NAP said the reforms signal a decisive departure from the past, where weak oversight and political interference often undermined effective local governance.

Among the key measures announced, government has increased CDF allocations from K200 million to K5 billion per constituency, a development NAP described as historic and transformative.

“This is the clearest signal yet of government’s commitment to fiscal devolution and its determination to bring development closer to the people, in line with the National Decentralisation Policy,” reads part of the statement.

The organisation further welcomed the new governance and management framework for the fund, which places District Commissioners and Chief Executive Officers at the centre of project oversight to ensure compliance with procurement, financial and contract management standards.

NAP also applauded the decision to make Village and Area Development Committees (VDCs and ADCs) central in identifying projects, saying the move restores true community ownership and bottom-up planning in local development.

Equally significant, the introduction of trained Project Implementation Committees (PICs) is expected to strengthen transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.

NAP said it is encouraged by government’s plan to craft robust new guidelines for the reformed CDF, which will outline clear institutional roles, enhance citizen participation and align implementation with public finance laws and oversight mechanisms.

“These reforms are a necessary corrective to years of politicisation, weak controls and elite capture of the CDF,” NAP observed.

“If fully implemented, they have the potential to transform the fund into a genuine driver of grassroots development, supporting schools, health facilities, water systems, roads, agriculture and youth and women empowerment initiatives,”NAP added.

The platform has since urged government to fast-track the finalisation and dissemination of the new CDF guidelines through inclusive consultations involving all stakeholders.

NAP also called for stronger audit and procurement systems, enhanced citizen oversight and full public disclosure of all CDF-funded projects and contracts to safeguard transparency and public trust.

NAP underscored the importance of merit-based recruitment and performance monitoring of VDCs and ADCs to ensure that they operate independently and effectively, free from political manipulation.

The organisation further urged adherence to the Public Finance Management Act, Public Audit Act, and the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets (PPDA) Act as key instruments in promoting accountability and prudent use of public resources.

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FLA to train 10 legends in skills development

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By Edwin Mbewe

LILONGWE -(MaraviPost)-Inline with their objectives, the Football Legends Association (FLA) is set to train 10 of their members in vocational skills starting next month.

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This follows an agreement which the body signed with Ebenezer Investment in July this year.

FLA board Chairperson Jim Kalua said among others, the selected members will be trained in screen printing, entrepreneurship, graphic designing and embroidery.

“This is one way of empowering our legends with practical skills to be self-reliant. The training is expected to cost MK9.50 million which according to our MoU we will contribute the 35 percent which translates to about MK3.2 million”, Jim Said.

He added part of the proceeds from the association’s initiatives will be channelled towards the programme.

“It is all about meeting our core objective to look after the welfare of our legends”, He added.

During the signing of the MoU, Ebenezer managiy Director Jane Mfune said the Ebenezer was committed to supporting Football Legends Association (FLA) members.

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Epstein Documents Dump, Government Reopens, Affordable Care Act Limbo

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Newly released emails from Jeffrey Epstein’s files include messages linking President Trump to the disgraced financier, as Congress prepares to vote on a bill forcing the release of the full Epstein records. After 43 days, the longest government shutdown in U.S. history ends with a bipartisan deal that leaves Democrats split over what they gained. And with health insurance subsidies still set to expire, millions of Americans could soon face higher premiums unless lawmakers act before year’s end.

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NAP chair Benedicto Kondowe dismisses MCP funding allegations as “fake”

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LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Civil society leader Benedicto Kondowe has dismissed as fake the circulating WhatsApp screenshots alleging that he received MK80 million from the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) to discredit President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika and his administration.

The allegations, which spread widely on social media on Wednesday morning under the banner “#Exposed! Truth Finally Out!”, claim that Kondowe, who chairs the National Advocacy Platform (NAP) and the Civil Society Education Initiative Forum (CSEIF), had been secretly working with MCP strategists to undermine the DPP-led government.

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According to the viral posts, the funds were allegedly delivered through Information Minister Moses Kunkuyu, with Kondowe accused of planning to “hit the Mutharika administration hard” by writing negative reports to the United Nations.

In his response, Kondowe described the screenshots as “malicious fabrications meant to damage my reputation and mislead the public.”

He clarified that the posts circulating online were doctored and that he has never received any money from the ruling party.

He further clarified that the UN briefing mentioned in the posts did occur, but in October, and that it was not related to President Mutharika’s leadership or linked to politician Kamlepo Kalua, as alleged in the circulating messages.

“The combination of two unrelated issues is a clear distortion. The intention is to confuse the public and discredit genuine civil society work,” Kondowe said in a brief statement on Wednesday morning.

Kondowe, a prominent human rights advocate, added that he remains committed to defending good governance and accountability without partisan influence.

Meanwhile, the MCP has not officially commented on the alleged MK80 million payment, while government spokespersons have described the matter as “a test of integrity for civil society leadership.”

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CDEDI petitions Malawi Parliament to adopt local languages during deliberations

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LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) along side Lost History Foundation, has petitioned the Malawi Parliament to begin using local languages particularly Chichewa during its deliberations, in a move aimed at promoting inclusivity and national identity.

Presenting the petition at Parliament Building in Lilongwe on Thursday, CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa emphasized that all parliamentary proceedings are meant for Malawians, the majority of whom communicate primarily in indigenous languages.

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“Whatever transpires in Parliament is meant for the ordinary Malawian. It is therefore important that proceedings be conducted in a language that every citizen can understand,” said Namiwa.

He argued that introducing local languages such as Chichewa, Chitumbuka, and Yao in Parliament would help bridge the communication gap between lawmakers and the people they represent.

Namiwa noted that English, though an official language, often limits citizens’ understanding of national issues debated in the House.

The petition also calls for the translation of parliamentary documents, bills, and committee reports into local languages, enabling broader public participation in democratic processes.

He also calls for the local language inclusive in schools.

The petition has since been received by Member of Parliament for Zomba city North Bester Awali.

Awali commended the initiative, saying it would help them reach out to the local communities that voted for them.

He assured them that will present the petition to the Speaker’s office.

If adopted, Malawi would join other African nations such as Tanzania and South Africa that have incorporated local languages in parliamentary and official state business.

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Former MCP regime’s cabinet ministers allegedly threaten activist Chimwemwe Mhango to withdraw Dala Kadula case

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LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Two powerful former Malawi Congress Party (MCP) regime cabinet ministers are allegedly threatening human rights a Chimwemwe Mbeya Mhango for dragging the party zealot Dala Kadula to court over “life threatening assault”.

This comes weeks barely weeks after Kadula who is also answering physical and theft assault in court was exposed to have threatened to kill Mhango, the former Malawi Defence Force (MDF) soldier.

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Mhango told The Maravi Post in an interview on Thursday morning that after exposed Kadula’s assault to the media, former MCP regime cabinet ministers have been pressuring him to withdraw the matter.

The activist claims that the former ministers have been using some MDF senior officers to threaten him to withdraw the matter on Kadula.

But Mhango retaliates, “Since Kadula’s assault case was exposed to the public through the media, two powerful former cabinet ministers during MCP government have been sending some senior MDF officers intimidating me to withdraw Kadula case.

“Let them know, I won’t withdraw this case until justice is prevailed. Kadula and others must face justice for the crimes they committed during MCP regime”.

Mhango (Ntchindi) former MDF officer now human rights activist

But the activist wondered as to why public officers including senior MDF officers are involved into political matters, “The law is clear that public officers including MDF must desist from practicing politics inside service. Why some of MDF officers are being used by former MCP government cabinet ministers intimidate me? If they continue, I will expose them.

“This is the reason fellow activist Sylvester Namiwa was physically assaulted by MCP thugs in view of MDF soldiers and Malawi Police Service (MPS) officers. Many of these officers are in the service to serve politicians not the nation. This must end with the coming in of President Peter Mutharika’s government that whoever commits an offence must face the law”.

However, Mhango said he has reported the matter to relevant authorities for action.

The suspected MCP thug Dala Kadula is reportedly to have defiled Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) summons after the commission received complaint from Mhango.

According to MHRC letter dated March 21, 2024, Kadula snubbed the commission summon till to date.

The Maravi Post understands that the victim Mhango, was threatened with a gun after he participated in the concerned citizens demonstrations which Bon Kalindo held in Zomba last year.

Following Kadula threats to kill Mhango with a gun at a certain place in Lilongwe, the victim (Mhango) reported the matter to Kawale Police.

Despite Kawale Police issuing summons letter over the matter, Kadula also threatened the officers at that time as “he was un attachable”.

“The Human Rights Commission (hereinafter referred to as “the Commission) is in receipt of a complaint by Mr. Chimwemwe Mbeya Mhango (Ntchindi) (hereinafter referred to as the complainant) against yourself.

“The complainant claims that you and a party activist belonging to the Malawi Congress Party: His complaint against you is that you have threatened to kill him following some work-related disagreements,” reads MHRC letter in part.

“Given the above, the commission would therefore like to hear your side of the story concerning the above allegations. You are therefore advised to present before the Commission on Thursday 28 March 2024.

“Your cooperation in this matter will be greatly appreciated”, reads MHRC summon letter signed by its Director of Civil and Political Rights Peter Chisi.

This publication understands that Kadula also assaulted the commission’s messenger upon receiving the letter.

But the commission hinted that “it’s still pursuing the matter”.

Dala is said to be leading panga-raiding thugs that kept on terrorizing demonstrators against ousted President Lazarus Chakwera and MCP leadership.

Kadula is also allegedly to be MCP Secretary General Richard Chimwendo Banda’s errand boy.

With the change of leadership, Kadula is now subjected to justice on various assaults he committed under Chakwera-MCP leadership.

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