CityLenz News

Former United Transformation Movement (UTM) National Youth Director Bon Kalindo has said all is set for anti-government demonstrations set for this coming Friday in Blantyre. Kalindo said this during media briefing aimed at updating Malawians on the progress of the said demonstrations. Winiko disclosed that Blantyre City Council has given them a go ahead. He then revealed that they will then hold a civil at Chingeni Tollgate plaza in push for another reduction of tollgate fees. Kalindo has also condemned the police for stopping their demonstrations in Blantyre despite the law enforcers assuring the maximum security during the protest and following all procedures.    

  The Public Affairs Committee (PAC) has told President Lazarus Chakwera to reshuffle his cabinet, saying the current cabinet has spectators who lack seriousness and influence. The committee which comprises religious leaders made the remarks yesterday during an interface with the President. Chairperson of the committee Monsignor Dr. Patrick Thawale noted that Chakwera pledged to reshuffle the Cabinet by end of year 2020.  He said the pledge was religiously believed that an action in this regard would be effected but up to date nothing has happened. Thawale argued that Chakwera’s delay to reshuffle the cabinet continues to erode trust that was bestowed upon him. Thawale on behalf of PAC then demanded the president to make changes to his cabinet and fire Secretary to the President and Cabinet Zangazanga Chikhosi.

 Blantyre City Council has agreed to proceed with mayor elections as it has emerged that there is no any injunction stopping the elections as earlier said by Chief Elections Officer Alfred Chanza. Meanwhile, MEC officials are currently preparing to start the voting process. In the morning, t ension erupted at Blantyre City Council-BCC elections after its Chief Executive Officer Alfred Chanza announced that he has has been instructed to stop the elections.

  Sustainable Urban Land and Shelter Development Consultants (SULSDEC Green Villages) has with sponsorship of KakuPay awarded a second plot of land to Flames goalkeeper Charles Thom after his impressive performance in a goalless draw against Senegal at AFCON yesterday. According to KakuPay representative Tendai Malata the 15m by 30m plot is valued at 1.2 million kwacha and is found near Barons Estate (Airwing side) in Lilongwe. The development follows another plot awarded to Thom by Hills and Associates Limited.

  The High Court in Blantyre has set aside February 10, 2022 as a date for hearing of contempt of court over broadcasting rights. Malawi Broadcasting Corporation ( MBC) sued Football Association of Malawi (FAM) to court after the state-run broadcaster was stopped from beaming the Airtel Top 8 semifinal match between Silver Strikers and Civil Service United at Bingu National Stadium (BNS). The entire FAM executive committee, including president Walter Nyamilandu Manda, was present. Last week, the High Court granted MBC permission to beam the remaining Airtel Top 8 matches and all other football games. However, there was drama at BNS  as the MBC crew was stopped from beaming the match involving Civil and Silver, which the Bankers won 2-0. Fam officials claimed that the State-run broadcaster did not secure rights to beam the match. MBC Director General George Kasakula said the State-run broadcaster would go back to court.

A court in Blantyre has formerly charged businessman Abdul Karim Batatawala who was arrested last week. Senior Magistrate Court in Blantyre has charged Batatawala with two accounts of money laundering and defrauding the Department of Immigration Services. However, through his lawyer, Alexious Nampota, Batatawala has applied for bail but State through the ACB insists he must remain in police custody as investigations continue. The Anti-Corruption Bureau has also asked the court to remand Batatawala to Chichiri Prison saying he has not been cooperative unlike other three co-accused persons; Evils Thodi, Fletcher Nyirenda and Limbani Chawinga. Batatawala was arrested in connection to the alleged dubious awarding of contract worth over K2 billion to supply police uniforms and other accessories at the Immigration Department in 2010.

 Drivers in the country have petitioned parliament to address various challenges they are facing in discharging their duties. According to Chairman of Professional Drivers Union of Malawi, Major Mkandawire, their concerns range from low pay and poor working conditions as some of the main challenges they have raised in their petition. ALSO READ:  Former Minister of Information, Henry Mussa and former director of Information Gideon Munthali have been denied bail. The drivers held a vigil at parliament today, as part of their quest to have the challenges solved. In an interview, Mkandawire disclosed that some of their members have been unlawfully dismissed and their cases do not successfully end. "We have pleaded with parliamentarians to address such issues which we feel are undermining our roles to national development" said Mkandawire. The petition was received by Dedza South East lawmaker Patrick Bandawe and Lilongwe City Centre Mp, Alfred Jiya. Earlier this year, the drivers...