Govt to Revise 2010 Child Care Protection Act

Government through the Ministry of Gender has said it is intending to revise the 2010 Child Care Protection Act as a way of addressing challenges that children are facing the country. The country has experienced increased cases of early marriages, use of drugs and early pregnancies. Authorities in Mangochi have also disclosed that over 7, 000 girls are pregnant in the district alone. Minister responsible for gender Honourable Patricia Kaliati, has challenged parents to take a leading role in protecting children more especially now since the schools are closed due to covid-19 pandemic. Kaliati has since indicated that they will revise Child Protection Act so that parents who may not be able to protect their children should be arrested. She has also revealed that social welfare officials have been ordered to assess the pregnancy cases in Mangochi and other affected districts. Meanwhile, Phoebe Kasoga, Country Director of Plan International Malawi has reaffirmed her organization's interest to fight for rights of children in the country. Read the full article

UTM Celebrates 2 Years of Existence

Today, United Transformation Movement (UTM) is celebrating two years since it was launched in 2018 at Masintha ground in the capital Lilongwe. UTM came into existence after the state vice president Saulos Chilima under the former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration fallout with his boss Peter Mutharika. In June 2018, Chilima through a press briefing, announced that he has left the party and focus on his life without disclosing the future of his political carrier despite growing calls from different people within the DPP to represent the party in the May 21, 2019 presidential elections.

Chilima refused the calls, even though some DPP officials already formed Chilima Movement pushing for his presidency. UTM was fully registered as a political party in September 2018. Writing on her Facebook page UTM’s Secretary General Patricia Kaliati thanked people in the country for rendering support the party needed. “Today Marks exactly 2 years after the birth of UTM. We as UTM would like to express our gratitude to the Malawi Nation for the support rendered. You stood with us and we know you are there for us... We say Thank you!!!” Kaliati said. According to Kaliati the journey to build capacity from scratch but with the help and support of people the party managed to be where it is today. Narrating the birth, growth and successes of UTM without mentioning the name of former first lady Calista Mutharika a wife to the late president Bingu Wa Mutharika would be pointless.

Calista Mutharika; Behind the birth of UTM Madam Calista Mutharika was the first to come in the open subjecting the abilities of Chilima to rule the country considering that he is youthful, energetic and knows his job well. According to Madam Mutharika, her brother in law ex-president Peter Mutharika was old a reason enough not to let him to seek the second term. UTM is among the 9 parties that are forming Tonse Alliance government which ousted DPP in the July 23 fresh presidential elections sanctioned by the Constitution Courts. Read the full article

Kaliati expresses hope in Chakwera, Chilima new leadership

United Transformation Movement (UTM) Secretary General Patricia Kaliaiti has said the newly elected President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera will bring back the lost glory. Kaliati said this in a statement posted on her official facebook page seen by seen by faceofmalawi. “So today we swore our new presidents in. It's in our mind that these two will bring back the lost glory in no time. We are confident and no doubt about it. “It is my humble prayer that God guides them in their day to day decision making so that many if not all Malawians should benefit from their leadership,” wrote Kaliati. Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) on Saturday night declared Chakwera of Tonse Alliance who partnered Dr. Saulos Chilima as winners of the fresh Presidential polls. The two were sworn-in on Sunday at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in the capital Lilongwe. Read the full article

Kachale coy on rigging claims by kaliati linking Zambian top officials

Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson Dr. Chifundo kachale on Sunday refused to comment on rigging claims made by United Transformation Movement (UTM) Secretary General Patricia Kaliati linking Zambian top officials. During campaign rally on Saturday, Kaliati claimed three Zambian top officials have entered the country and are in the Northern Region to tamper with electoral results in favour of President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika. Kaliati named former Minister of Finance Dr Katele Kalumba, former Intelligence Chief Mr Chungu and former State House Special Assistant for Politics, Kaizer Zulu. She said the three entered the country through Mzimba and she ordered the Zambia High Commissioner to Malawi to make sure that the three are out of the country. When asked to comment on the allegations, Dr. Chifundo Kachale said he is not in position to comment on claims at a political rally. “I will not be competent to comment on the allegations,” said Kachale. Turning to the fresh polls, Kachale banned the use of roving monitors by political parties, saying the position of roving monitors is not provide in the constitution. He then urge Malawians to turn up in large numbers tomorrow and vote. Read the full article

Kaliati hails Parliament for setting date for fresh Presidential polls

United Transformation Movement (UTM) Secretary General Patricia Kaliati has hailed the National Assembly for setting date for the forthcoming fresh Presidential polls. On Tuesday, the National Assembly set June 23, 2020 as a day for fresh Presidential polls amid protest from MPs from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the United Democratic Front (UDF). Mzimba North parliamentarian Yeremia Chihana moved a motion to set date for polls day and it was seconded by Lilongwe Mpenu MP. But this did not amuse the MPs from government benches resulting to chaos. Writing on her official facebook page, Kaliati hailed the MPs for the move. “Date set. 23rd June it is. If God is for us, who can be against us? Congratulations to all our representatives in Parliament,” wrote Kaliati . The constitutional court on February 3, 2020 nullified the May 21, 2019 Presidential polls and called for fresh polls within a period of 150 days. Read the full article

UTM Secretary General Patricia Kaliati Asks Clergy to Pray for Malawi Ahead of Fresh presidential Elections

United Transformation Movement (UTM) secretary General Patricia Kaliati has asked the clergy to continue praying for the country as fresh presidential elections are looming. Kaliati made the plea yesterday at St. Augustine in Mangochi where Tonse Alliance running-mate who is also UTM president Saulos Chilima held a political campaign rally. This follows a series of violence that have been taking place in some parts of the country. Just few days ago the state vice president was forced to cancel his whistle stop tours after suspected Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and United Democratic Front (UDF) supporters stoned his convoy. A similar incident happened in Phalombe where Chilima was also stoned leaving journalist from Times Group and Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS) injured, DPP-UDF running-mate Atupele Muluzi was also stoned in Dowa, Mponela by suspected Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and UTM supporters. In her remarks Kaliati popularly known as Akweni pleaded with the youths to refrain from being used as vessels of violence by politicians. Read the full article

Chakwera invades Dedza to campaign for Tonse Alliance

Tonse Alliance torchbearer Dr. Lazarus Chakwera who is also Malawi Congress Party (MCP) is in Dedza campaigning ahead of the fresh Presidential polls scheduled for June 23, 2020. Speaking at Mwenje primary school grounds Chakwera urged Malawians to come out in large numbers on voting day and vote for him on a journey to transformation. Chakwera said the Tonse Alliance will address challenges Malawians are facing such as poverty, hunger and unemployment. MCP President will hold a number of stopovers in the district and the main rally will be held at Mayani in the district. In a related development, Chakwera’s runningmate, Dr Saulos Chilima is in Mangochi campaigning for Tonse Alliance. Chilima is franked with United Transformation Movement (UTM) Secretary General Patricia Kaliati and members of the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD). Chakwera will face President Peter Mutharika who is representing the UDF-DPP alliance in the fresh Presidential polls. The Constitutional Court nullified the May 21, 2019 Presidential polls and called for the fresh polls within a period of 150 days. Read the full article

Chilima kick start Mangochi Imbizos

Tonse Alliance runningmate and State Vice President Saulos Chilima is today hold a number of whistle stop to campaign for Dr. Lazarus Chakwera ahead of the fresh Presidential polls scheduled for June 23, 2020. Chilima’s first stop was at Masuku trade centre where he said Tonse Alliance was born to make sure that Malawi is saved from the current administration, which he says has run out of ideas to develop the country. He reminded the people that once voted into power, Tonse Alliance will reduce the price of fertilizer to K4495. On her part, United Transformation Movement (UTM) Secretary General Patricia Kaliati said the coming together of more parties in Tonse Alliance is an indication that more Malawians want change. Kaliati said people in Mangochi are lacking land for farming, making it hard for them to be food sufficient. She said it is not true that once voted into power, the Tonse Alliance leadership will not respect people's human rights. Read the full article

Angie Kaliati dumps DPP, joins UTM

Former Member of Parliament for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Angie Dishoni Kaliati has dumped the party and followed her wife in United Transformation Movement (UTM). UTM Secretary General Patricia Kaliati, a wife to Angie disclosed this during Tonse Alliance campaign rally held at Njamba freedom Park in Blantyre on Sunday. While attacking Atupele Muluzi, a runningmate to President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, Kaliati applauded her husband for following her in UTM. “My husband has decided to follow me and support the Tonse Alliance unlike other politician who are failing to control their wives,” said Kaliati while attracting ululation from the crowd. Angie Kaliati was once Member of Parliament for Mulanje Patsani. Read the full article

Kaliati accuses govt of misusing COVID-19 funds

United Transformation Movement (UTM) Secretary General Patricia Akweni Kaliati has accused government of misusing Covid-19 funds. Kaliati made the claims during Tonse Alliance campaign rally at Likuni in Lilongwe on Sunday graced by State Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima who is also runningmate to Dr. Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi Congress Party (MCP). In her speech, Kaliati said funds meant for COVID-19 pandemic is being shared by few Cabinet Ministers with an aim of enriching themselves. Kaliati also alleged that Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima's foregone salary to the pandemic fight is not being channeled to its intended purpose. Effort to talk to Minister of Information and Communications Technology Mark Botomani on the matter proved futile. Read the full article

Kaliati says Ntcheu People are Taken for Granted

United Transformation Movement (UTM) Secretary General Patricia Kaliati has said the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) led government is taking people from Ntcheu for granted. Kaliati said thus today in Ntcheu during a whistle stop tour which is being led the state vice president Saulos Chilima who is also the presidential running-mate for Tonse Alliance. Kaliati cited an example of the UTM’s leader Chilima who was picked as DPP’s running-mate in 2014 and became the state vice president following DPP’s victory in 2014 but was later dumped along the way. Herbert Everton Chimulirenji was also picked as DPP’s running-mate in 2019 nullified presidential elections and has now being left for United Democratic Front (UDF) leader Atupele Muluzi in the fresh presidential elections. Some officials in the Tonse Alliance are on the ground mobilizing the masses to vote for Tonse Alliance candidates in the fresh elections slated for July 2 following the official campaign period launch. Read the full article

Kaliati fires warning shots at DPP

United Transformation Movement (UTM) Secretary General Patricia Akweni Kaliati has asked the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to stop following UTM leaders. Kaliati said this at Mzuzu Upper Stadium on Sunday during the first mega rally of Tonse Alliance which has nine political parties. "Stop harassing people, we have freedom to choose where we want to be. When people chase you anywhere you go, like it has happened at Ndirande, it is a sign that people are tired. "You gather, planning to torch our vehicles, did we use your money to buy them?,” said Kaliati. Kaliati also questioned how government is managing the Covid 19 response in the country, accusing Minister of Health Jappie Mhango of playing double standard on the matter. She accused the Minister of shunning some of the measures set by the government to control the spread of coronavirus by running a football bonanza in his constituency. Read the full article

Kaliati fires warning shots at DPP cadets: ‘No matter how high a bird may perch, it will always Land’

United Transformation Movement (UTM) Secretary General Patricia Kaliati has fired warning shots at the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) youth cadets over unruly behavior. Kaliati’s warning follows the torching of UTM offices in the capital Lilongwe in the process injuring family members. “As we all know, the enemy burned UTM office in area 24 last night. The office was housing a family. As SKC said yesterday at the press briefing that they met to unleash wrath against innocent and un-armed civilians, this is exactly what they agreed. “They are offering their sacrifices to their God's. It's always like this when we are approaching elections, they have killed Albinos and nothing is happening even after their names were mentioned. These people are evil,” wrote Kaliati on her official facebook page. She added: “Remember no matter how high a bird may perch, it will always Land. Mwakhala pankhate lero koma mawa simuzakhala pomwepo.. Tsikulina adzapheka khoswe.. The God who has seen us this far will surely do something.” On his part, UTM President Dr. Saulos Chilima described the torching of the party offices as regrettable. He said the party will not retaliate but instead will work on mobilising people to vote the DPP government out. Chilima will partner Malawi Congress Party (MCP) President in fresh Presidential polls scheduled for July 2, 2020. The two leaders are set to present nomination papers to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) on Wednesday in Blantyre. NEWS UPDATE Read the full article

Kaliati condemns torching of vehicle belonging to UTM Director of Women

United Transformation Movement (UTM) has condemned torching of a vehicle belonging to the party’s Director of women for Eastern Region Hon Shahida Hussein by suspected youth cadets for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). The suspected thugs petrol-bombed the vehicle and part of Hussein’s house at around 1am on Sunday, according to reports. Writing on her official facebook page after visiting the scene of the incident, UTM Secretary General Patricia Kaliati condemned the acts. “Afternoon friends, Today as we continue with party duties, I am in Balaka inspecting the UTM vehicle belonging to Director of women for Eastern Region Hon Shahida Hussein that was petrol-bombed last night. “I am accompanied by the National Organizing Secretary Hon Willet Karonga and The Campaign Director Hon Lucius Banda,” wrote Kaliati. She added: “This is very unfortunate and we won't fall back no matter how more they intimidate us . We will win.” Suspected DPP cadets have been moving around attacking opposition political party members but law enforcers have been silent on the matter. Recently suspected DPP cadets attacked Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and UTM monitors in Phalombe, Thyolo, Mulanje and Chiradzulu where registration exercise for the fresh presidential polls is taking place. Read the full article

Opposition Parties Say Collection Of National IDs is a Trick by Ruling DPP Ahead of Fresh Polls

Opposition political parties have bemoaned the actions of some people who are collecting national identity (ID) cards for unverified reasons as the country is preparing for the fresh presidential election. Malawi Congress Party Secretary-General Eisenhower Mkaka described the move as tricks by governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to stop people from certain parts of the country from registering as voters ahead of the poll. “If people don’t have their national IDs, they may not be allowed to register as voters. We have information that some of the people doing this are being sent by the DPP. We have raised the concern at the National Elections Consultative Forum that this is unfortunate. “We apprehended some of them in Lilongwe, handed them over to police but they were released on bail. We are urging the police to end this crime, otherwise we will end it ourselves,” Mkaka said. He also claimed that his party has information that on top of collecting the ID cards, people from Mozambique are registering as citizens of Malawi in some parts of the country especially Mwanza, positioning themselves to register as voters. UTM Secretary-General Patricia Kaliati said this is a sign of panic from “people who claimed that they won fair and square in the May 21 2019 election”. “If they won the election, why are they panicking? Why taking advantage of poor people by confiscating their IDs to stop them from registering as voters?” she said. But DPP spokesperson Nicholas Dausi dismissed the allegations that his party is behind the scam, saying that is cheap propaganda. “I know you want to help MCP. I know you want to help UTM. I know you don’t like DPP but can you believe those claims? Really? With all your school? Why should we get people’s IDs when they can still access all the information from the database? You think any party worth its name like the DPP can do that? Nooo!” Dausi charged. Among the suspects arrested in Ntchisi are Zakeyo Chimpango, 54, from Chapulapula Village and Allan Meja, 38, from Chulu Village, both from Traditional Authority Kalumo in the district. They were found in possession of 35 national IDs. Ntchisi Police Public Relations Officer Richard Kaponda referred to National Police spokesperson James Kadadzera who confirmed the arrests and disclosed that two more suspects were nabbed in Lilongwe but were released on police bail. Kadadzera said the suspects told the police that they were collecting the IDs to process Malawi Enterprise Development Fund (Medef) loans for the holders of the IDs. He also said investigations on the matter are in progress. Medef Chief Executive Officer Mervis Mangulenje did not pick her mobile phone on several attempts. The government institution has, however, released a video clip in which it is distancing itself from the scam. “Only employees of Medef are authorised to deal on behalf of the fund. Only Medef members of staff can deal on our behalf and they have valid identity cards,” the message says. President Peter Mutharika launched the K80 billion Medef loan scheme early this month. On February 3, the Constitutional Court in Lilongwe nullified the May 21 2019 presidential election and ordered that a fresh poll should be conducted within 150 days from the day of judgement. Malawi Electoral Commission Chairperson, Jane Ansah, recently announced that the fresh poll will be held on July 2 using the legal framework that had governed the nullified poll after Mutharika refused to assent to the electoral reforms bills which would have necessitated the 50 percent+1 system. Read the full article

Mkaka Says UTM/MCP Alliance Will Unite Malawians

Secretary General for Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Eisenhower Mkaka has said the alliance of MCP and United Transformation Movement (UTM) will unite Malawians. Mkaka was speaking on Thursday during the alliance signing ceremony at Kamuzu Institute for Youth in Lilongwe. According to Mkaka Malawians are looking forward to the services of Saulos Chilima and Lazarus Chakwera.

Mkaka added that the alliance has called people from all walks of life which means this is what Malawians want. Concurring with Mkaka UTM Secretary General Patricia Kaliati said the alliance is the only hope for Malawi. Read the full article