Insight Bulletin ForFor PeoplePeople WhoWho WantWant toto KnowKnow Y

REGISTERED AT THE G.P.O. AS A NEWSPAPER • fiftieth EDITION • April 2021 FREE COP CHAKWERA CLEARS RUBBLE IN FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19 PANDEMIC

resident Dr. fired the Co-chairperson of Presidential Task Force on Covid-19, a group Pthat was established to lead in the fight against Coronavirus pandemic. Chakwera has also suspended the cluster heads following the Covid Gate amounting to 6.2 Billion Kwacha meant to combat the pandemic. Speaking during the sixth national address at Kamuzu Palace on 14th February 2021, President Chakwera said he has fired Dr John Phuka as Co-Chairperson for Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 and replaced him with Dr Wilfred Chalamira Nkhoma. Chakwera also removed the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DODMA) Commissioner James Chiusiwa. “Last week, I expressed my outrage over the alleged abuse of funds and lack of financial accountability by certain clusters entrusted with 6.2 billion Kwacha for tackling the pandemic. This has been done due to the clusters failure to maintain proper records of how such critical funds were used and others for defying my directive to submit reports weekly to my office,” he said. A report on the abuse of the funds was released by the Office of the Ombudsman in November 2020 after investigating the matter. The President later gave the heads of the clusters and controlling officers 48

to page 6>>

Fiftieth Edition April 2021 For People who want to know 1 2 For People who want to know Fiftieth Edition April 2021 ContentsIs Government Not Failing on Inquiries 4 Government Partially Bows Down to TUM 5 US to Restore Aid to UN Palestinian Refugee Agency Cut by Trump 8 Planting Underaged Tree Seedlings Affecting Afforestation 10 Football Partners Health 12 Islamic (Takaful) Part Three 14

8 10 12

Insight Bulletin, is a monthly views of the editorial staff. Letters publication which analyzes and must include writers’ full names and Editorial promotes good governance, and addresses, and may be edited for PUBLISHER policies that will further the creation of clarity. ULAMA COUNCIL OF an absolute free society in Malawi. It is a news leader in opinion and analysis Main Editorial Office MANAGING EDITOR on Malawi’s socio-political, religious st Sellina S. Gada 1 Floor, Globe Chambers, Masauko and economic development. Chipembere Highway, , Malawi. Designer Disclaimer Josiah Banda Tel: (+265) 01 848 059 All editorial correspondence in [email protected] Cell: (+265) 0888 500 630 form of articles and letters should be Printers addressed to the editor. All published Email: [email protected] Kris Offset & Screen Printers Ltd articles bear the author’s names. [email protected] Unsigned contributions represent www.insightbulletin.org

FiFiftiethftieth Edition AAprilpril 2021 ForFor People who wantwant to know 3 Editor’s note IS GOVERNMENT NOT FAILING ON INQUIRIES Notable situations are the death of are done, people expect findings Robert Chasowa. Former president and recommendations that call for Joyce Banda who took over power further action. Asking for inquiries from the late Bingu wa Mutharika in demonstrates delivering best solution 2012, asked for an inquiry into his to the matter. If no action is taken, death. A report showing that he was people tend to question, the objective murdered and did not kill himself of the enquiry as perpetrators are as police claimed was released but allowed to continue misusing public no action has taken place till now. resources. Inquiries were also done on the brutal murder of Issa Njauju who was Dr. Chakwera must make follow ups the Director of Corporate Services on every enquiry and make sure at the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), that necessary action is taken for the leakage of 2020 Malawi School accountability. Certificate of Education (MSCE) examinations and alleged misuse One of the tasks for the country’s Civil Service Commission is to exercise ince Malawi attained of the K6.2 Billion meant to tackle multiparty democracy Covid-19 pandemic but no tangible disciplinary control over persons in 1994, the civil service action has taken place yet. holding or acting in any office but that and other government rarely happens or it does not happen When President Lazarus Chakwera S at all. employees have not been disciplined ordered for investigations into the eneough. It takes decades for leaked MSCE Examinations, Malawians Employing people based on political government to react on disciplinary applauded the President for the grounds, compensation and relations issues committed by its employees gesture saying that this is the kind is one of the challenges leading to in a form of punishment or dismissal. of leadership Malawians have been failure to discipline those on the Technically such mannerism kills the waiting for as previously, perpetrators wrong. It is high time government have been going caught- free. progress of every nation. Noticing that started recruiting civil servants based public servants are squandering tax The purpose of the inquiry should be to on merit other than based on relations payer’s money, it is enough reason to institute an appropreate action for the to succeed on inquiries and post look into the matter seriously. benefit of the public. When inquiries inquiries.

It is high time government started recruiting civil servants based on merit other than based on relations to succeed on inquiries and post inquiries.

4 ForFor PPeoeopleple who want to know FiFiftiethftieth Edition AApprilril 2021 Governance GOVERNMENT PARTIALLY BOWS DOWN TO TUM By: Hawa Juma risk allowances to the teachers as it facing challenges which need to be does not have the funding. addressed but they should not just n 18th February 2021, demand allowances because that will teachers through their mother “We will rather prioritize all teachers be temporary, but they should focus body, Teachers Union of on the vaccine when it arrives in the on asking government to increase their Malawi (TUM) threatened to country,” said Minister of Education, O salaries so that it should be a lasting go on strike demanding Government Agnes Nyalonje. solution.” to provide teachers in the country with TUM through its president, Willie Malimba Covid-19 risk allowances saying they are A group of teachers from lamented with disappointment saying at high risk of contracting Coronavirus in conducted a press Briefing during which it is an insult to teachers and that schools. they announced that the strike has Government has shown disregard of been called off but TUM President Willie This came after the Presidential Taskforce teachers’ welfare. Malimba distanced himself saying such on Covid-19 through its Co-Chairperson “Despite several engagements and an announcement can only come from Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda - Minister pleas by the teachers for government to his office and/or the General Secretary of Health - announced that schools address challenges teachers are facing, of TUM. should reopen on Monday 22nd February nothing has been done. So, until they 2021 following a five-week break to Teachers continued with their strike do so, we will continue boycotting work,” prevent further spread of Coronavirus in prompting some students to protest said Malimba. the country. against the strike saying they needed to TUM also met President Lazarus be in class learning. The teachers claimed that they are being Chakwera on the same and they were exposed to Covid-19 pandemic as they Parliamentary committees on told that the Taskforce will map a way meet a lot of students who hail from Education and Social and Community forward on the of risk allowances issue. different families. Affairs summoned TUM for a meeting to As the strike was getting close to three end the misunderstanding on the risk Malawi first closed schools in March weeks, TUM president announced allowances. The outcome of the meeting 2020 before it confirmed its first three the calling off of the strike saying he persuaded TUM to suspend the strike cases during the first wave of the was forced by the former Principal on 8 March 2021, allowing teachers to pandemic. It re-opened the schools Secretary in the Ministry of Education resume work on March 9. in September same year, but classes Kiswell Dakamawu and Commissioner were suspended again for five weeks in Among other things, TUM and the Ministry of Labor to sign a letter calling off the January 2021 because of a surge in the of Education signed an agreement for strike to pave way for negotiations with pandemic that saw some teachers and teachers to drop their initial demand authorities. students infected. for risk allowances and instead receive Despite that, the strike continued as in cash funds meant for procurement After the announcement to re- teachers did not report for work due to of their personal protective equipment open schools, some teachers took lack of assurance on the allowances. (PPEs). to the streets to protest demanding government’s commitment to pay Different stakeholders and individuals They also agreed that once the proposal them risk allowances, but police commented on the demands by the is endorsed by the Presidential Taskforce dispersed them claiming the teachers teachers. Some said Government on Covid-19, the taskforce will release had not sought permission to hold the should listen to their grievances and once off payment for three months demonstrations. take necessary action while others said effective March 8, 2021. teachers did not deserve payment risk Government engaged the teachers to A member of Presidential Taskforce on of allowances. hold a discussion with the Presidential Covid-19 Inocencia Chirombo told the Taskforce on Covid-19 where they were Human Rights Defenders Coalition meeting that the Taskforce will discuss told that government cannot provide (HRDC) said “Teachers are really with relevant authorities to determine to page 6>>

Fiftieth Edition April 2021 For People who want to know 5 Governance

<

<

6 ForFor PPeoeopleple who want to know FiFiftiethftieth Edition AApprilril 2021 EVERYTHING A HOUSEHOLD

NEEDS

Sunseed oil Limited Fiftieth Edition April 2021 For People who want to knowP.O.Box 748, Lilongwe, MW Tel : Central Region:7 +265 995 508 791 Southern Region : +265 999 381 150 Northern Region : +265 999 150 943 FOCUS ON PALESTINE

US TO RESTORE AID TO UN PALESTINIAN REFUGEE AGENCY CUT BY TRUMP By: Christopher Furlong in humanitarian assistance to the UN Commissioner-General Philippe Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). Lazzarini said in a statement. he Biden administration will restart more than $200m in aid UNRWA provides aid and other services, Blinken said the US also plans to provide to the Palestinians, including including healthcare and education, to Palestinians with $75m in economic Trestoring funding to UNRWA. about 5.7 million Palestinian refugees in and development assistance for the the occupied West and Gaza Strip, occupied West Bank and Gaza, as well The Biden administration has Lebanon, and Jordan – and the agency as $10m for peacebuilding programs announced plans to resume funding for welcomed the US announcement. through the US Agency for International the United Nations agency that supports Development (USAID). Palestinian refugees, which has faced “UNRWA could not be more pleased a dire financial situation since former that once again we will partner with His statement added that Washington US President Donald Trump cut US the United States to provide critical would resume vital security assistance, assistance in 2018. assistance to some of the most without going into further details. vulnerable refugees across the Middle In a statement on Wednesday, US East and fulfil our mandate to educate “The United States is committed Secretary of State Antony Blinken said and provide primary health care to to advancing prosperity, security, the United States would provide $150m millions of refugees every day,” UNRWA and freedom for both Israelis and

8 For People who want to know Fiftieth Edition April 2021 FOCUS ON PALESTINE

Yet while Biden pledged to reinstate But Ahmed Abu Huly, a member of the US diplomatic relations with the PA Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and restore US aid for Palestinians, his executive committee, said he would be administration has signalled its refusal holding a Zoom meeting with US State to reverse some of Trump’s most divisive Department official Richard Albright policies on the conflict. to express appreciation for the “very important support” and said he hoped it It said it would not reverse Trump’s would continue. decision to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, for instance, Palestinian Authority prime minister or oppose diplomatic normalization Mohammad Shtayyeh also welcomed deals that were brokered by the Trump the resumption of aid and called upon administration between Israel and the the American administration to create United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan a new political path that meets the and Morocco rights and aspirations of the Palestinian Al Jazeera’s Kimberly Halkett, reporting people based on international law and from Washington, DC, said the Biden Un resolution. administration sees resuming funding The UN also welcomed the plan to to the Palestinians “as being critical to restart US funding for UNRWA. resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict”. “There were a number of countries “They feel that this is a first building that had greatly reduced to halted block for doing that. They also see this contributions to UNRWA. We hope that as a national security objective and that the American decision will lead others to is one of the reasons for making this a Palestinians in tangible ways in the rejoin as UNRWA donors,” UN spokesman top priority,” Halkett said. immediate term, which is important in Stephane Dujarric told reporters. its own right, but also as a means to UNRWA has faced years of pressure from Soon after Biden took office, his advance towards a negotiated two-state Israel and its allies, who have pressed administration began laying the solution,” Blinken said. for the agency to be abolished and its groundwork for restored relations with mission handed over to the UN refugee US President Joe Biden, who took office the Palestinians as well as renewed on January 20, has promised to take agency (UNHCR). aid. Biden’s aides are crafting a more a different approach to Palestinian Most of the refugees assisted by the detailed plan to reset ties, two people relations than his predecessor. agency are descendants of some familiar with the matter told the Reuters US has always been a staunch defender 700,000 Palestinians who were driven news agency in mid-March. of Israel, but Trump took the relationship out of their homes or fled fighting in the However, the administration is likely to new heights – and had a very close 1948 war that led to Israel’s creation – to hold back for now on resuming relationship with Benjamin Netanyahu, and observers say pressure on UNRWA direct economic aid to the Palestinian Israel’s longstanding right-wing prime is part of an effort to discredit the rights minister. of the refugees. Authority while Biden’s aides consult with Congress on potential legal obstacles, The Trump administration blocked nearly Gilad Erdan, the Israeli ambassador according to one person familiar with all aid to Palestinians after it severed to the US and UN, slammed the the matter. ties with the Palestinian Authority (PA) Biden administration’s decision on in 2018. The move was widely seen as Wednesday. “Rather than solving the The administration announced late an attempt to force the Palestinians conflict, UNRWA perpetuates it. Any last month that it would give $15m to to negotiate with Israel on terms the return to funding it must be contingent vulnerable Palestinian communities in Palestinian leadership branded as an on essential reforms,” Erdan wrote on the occupied West Bank and Gaza to effort to deny them a viable state. Twitter. help fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fiftieth Edition April 2021 For People who want to know 9 Environment

PLANTING UNDERAGED TREE Seedlings AFFECTING AFFORESTATION

orests provide fresh water, in the forest, mountain and locations. agricultural extended activities, human clean air and are a source of settlement and wild fires. Sadly, Malawi is losing forest cover at an food, traditional medicines, firewood and timber. They also alarming rate of about 32,000 hectares The report further said there are more F (about 1%) every year. According to than 80 forest reserves and more than protect the soil from erosion, provide recent reports from ministry of forestry a home for valuable wild animals and 20 forest plantations in the country, as and natural resource, the major driver of well as numerous forest reserves on plants, are a source of income to human this loss is wanton cutting down of trees customary and private land. All of these beings. In addition, forests are a carbon for charcoal and firewood, which more are in various states of degradation. sink that mitigate climate change. This than 90% of Malawian households use. is all possible with the provision of trees Other causes of forest degradation are In the tree planting season of 2020/21,

10 For People who want to know Fiftieth Edition April 2021 Environment

Minister of Forest and Natural Resources Nancy Tembo said the period was set aside by Government, to build a responsible citizenry that cares for trees and forests for the sustenance of present and future generations.

“The government of Malawi planned to plant over 60 Million tree seedlings in the 2020/2021 season. The exercise is meant to be achieved in constituencies, districts, cities and villages and leaders have been urged to take part in the planting exercise,” she said.

State president Dr. Lazarus Chakwera launched the national tree planting season on 16 December, 2020 at Tukombo Full Primary School in Nkhatabay. The planting exercise lasts for four months. tree seedlings is in one way contributing availability of trees in general and it is to forest degradation in the country. worse with over exploitation of land due During the launch, Tembo said, “As part to overpopulation. of the forestry sector reforms program, Chidothi said people plant trees during the Government has introduced the season but fail to take care of the “We are so densely populated, thereby “Adopt a Forest” initiative to encourage planted trees. causing damage and deforestation participation of the private sector. leading to forest catchment degradation. “It is very sad to note that when Particularly the cooperate stakeholders This is resulting into the drying of rivers, organizations are buying trees for in the management of the forest loss of forestry cover, climate change, planting, they buy underaged tree resources.” loss of biodiversity,” he said. seedlings. Such seedlings don’t grow She said, “This initiative is in line with and we end up planting trees every year In a related development, during the the National Forestry Policy (2016) same place and same locations,” said tree planting season, a group of Muslims and the Malawi’s National Forestry Chidothi. from Blantyre planted over 1, 000 trees Program (2001) which encourages the in Bangwe and Ndirande cemeteries on participation of various stakeholders to There is need to monitor trees that are 21 February, 2021. improve forests and livelihoods. being planted to increase chances of their survival. Program’s Manager for the initiative Meanwhile the country is facing problems Yahya Ishmael Phiri said as a group, in maintaining the natural reservations. Chidothi further said the tradition of Malawi Muslim Website thought of One of the country’s environmentalists planting immature tree seedlings is planting trees in the cemetery as they Dave Chidothi said planting under-aged negatively affecting forest reserves and are vital during burial.

“It is very sad to note that when organizations are buying trees for planting, they buy underaged tree seedlings. Such seedlings don’t grow and we end up planting trees every year same place and same locations”

Fiftieth Edition April 2021 For People who want to know 11 Sports

FOOTBALL PARTNERS HEALTH

By: Twaha Chimuka will cost 18 million Kwacha in the initial Speaking during the signing ceremony year with both parties contributing in Blantyre on February 25,2021, FAM ootball Association of Malawi- half of the amount (9 million Kwacha president Walter Nyamilandu said the FAM has finally come in each). FAM will be paying the half of the agreement with Medical Aid programme is part of the association’s amount to MASM on behalf of the players Society of Malawi MASM in strategy to improve players welfare, F and their clubs. Each player is expected motivate and improve professionalism helping the country’s players to seek to benefit health assistance worth 1.4 medical attention. among the athletes. million Malawi kwacha a year. The initiative comes following the view of “This signing is the birth of highly Over 800 players playing in the Super FAM on how the players help in economic competitive players because it will League, Women’s Football and the stability and giving entertainment to the make players to put much effort on National Team are expected to benefit society, as such, the agreement will see from the contract. There is also an the ground as previously players had players in the country access health expectation of including former national to think twice before fully commiting services in any MASM approved hospital team legends in the next review of the themselves in the game as such or clinic in the country. scheme. The players will benefit under records have it that some athletes left The health service which will be provided the specially formed scheme called the game early because of injuries,” for ten years and to be reviewed yearly Econo-sport. Nyamilandu said.

12 For People who want to know Fiftieth Edition April 2021 Sports

The agreement is also there to thrust have been facing while pursuing their our all-inclusive view of players welfare sports in the country to take another career. not in isolated packages where we want extra step. Players that will be accessing “We want to make this as a lifetime them to have medical cover, mandatory the medical services are those under partnership and we are strongly ready wages and insurance,” said Banda. the Football Players Association-FPA to do this kind of relationship with FAM, hence the encouragement to join the we also hope that it will last forever with Banda added that the deal was once Association to be part of beneficiaries. future renewal and agreements,” Chikoti agreed in 2015 but didn’t go through “It is an assurance of making progress said. because teams failed to pay the in football in our country. For now, things “It’s sad when we look back at cases of monthly premiums. will change in the football arena,” he players being sick or injured, we had in said. the past, because we failed our players President of Football Players Association In his remarks MASM Chief Executive access medical care. We did not look Jimmy Zakazaka said the deal will at their humanity aspects, but just their Officer, Sydney Chikoti said the encourage young players to take on-field exploits,” he said. association has partnered with FAM as football as a career and not a passing part and parcel of social work in giving Commenting on the same president time activity. back to the community. for Super League of Malawi-SULOM Tiya Somba Banda said the deal is a dream The action has also been supported by Chikoti further said through the service come true since it has always been his the football clubs saying it will ease the that will be provided and paying 9 Million wish to make it happen for the players. Kwacha will help in boosting soccer in burden of medical bills for its players as Malawi and ease the burden players “This deal moves us towards fulfilling they will be benefiting from the scheme.

Chikoti (left) and Nyamilandu (right) signing the deal.

Fiftieth Edition April 2021 For People who want to know 13 FINANCE

ISLAMIC INSURANCE (TAKAFUL) PART three ll participants (policyholders) 3. The insurance company must STATUS OF TAKAFUL agree to guarantee each maintain two funds: a participants/ As Islamic finance continues to expand, other and, instead of paying policyholders’ fund and a there is likely to be a huge takeoff of other premiums, they make shareholders’ fund. A products such as pensions, education, contributions to a mutual fund, or pool. MODELS OF TAKAFUL marriage and health takaful plans. there The pool of collected contributions is also a huge scope for mortgage Takaful. creates the takaful fund. There are various models of takaful according to the nature of the relationship Islamic principles strong emphasis in The amount of contribution that each between the company and the takaful on the economic, ethical, moral participant makes is based on the type of participants. there are Wakalah (Agency), and social dimensions, to enhance cover they require, and on their personal Mudarabah and a combination of the two. equality and fairness for the good of circumstances. as in conventional in the Sudanese takaful model, every society as a whole should also have insurance, the policy (Takaful contract) policyholder is a shareholder in it. An appeal for the ethically minded. specifies the nature of the risk and period operator runs the on behalf of of cover. In modern society, insurance has become the participants and no separate entity a necessity to trade and industry. Life The Takaful fund is managed and manages the business. Sharia experts insurance has become the most effective administered on behalf of the participants consider this preferable. In other Islamic vehicle for mobilizing savings, for capital by a takaful operator who charges an countries, the legal framework does formation and for long-term investment, agreed fee to cover costs. these costs not allow this arrangement and takaful include the costs of sales and marketing, companies work as separate entities on as well as for making provision for old underwriting, and claims management. the basis of Mudarabah (in Malaysia) and age and bereavement in the case of Wakalah (in the Middle East). individuals. Any claims made by participants are paid out of the Takaful fund and any remaining In the Mudarabah model practiced In the west, the insurance sector is the surpluses, after making provisions for mainly in the Asia pacific region, the largest single contributor to the capital likely cost of future claims and other policyholders receive any available market. and Insurance companies reserves, belong to the participants in the profit on their part of the funds only. The now form international alliances for fund, and not the takaful operator, and sharia committee of a takaful company mutual benefit. may be distributed to the participants approves the sharing ratio for each year There is an increasing demand for a in the form of cash dividends or in advance, most of the expenses being sharia-compliant insurance system. until distributions, alternatively in reduction in charged to the shareholders. recently, there has been a low demand future contributions. In the Wakalah model, the surplus of for insurance in Islamic countries, OPERATING PRINCIPLES policyholders’ investments – net of the because Muslims believe that insurance management fee or expenses goes to the is un-Islamic. The development of An Islamic insurance company must policyholders. The shareholders charge Islamic insurance, therefore, requires have the following operating principles: the Wakalah fee from contributions and extensive education of the Muslim public, 1. It must operate according to Islamic this covers most of the expenses of besides development of resources co-operative principles. the business. The fee is fixed annually and expertise, a legal framework for 2. Reinsurance commission may in advance in consultation with the it, the harmonization of practices, be paid to, or received from, only company’s sharia supervisory board. development of new sharia-compliant Islamic insurance and reinsurance The management fee is related to instruments, accounting standards, and companies. performance. arrangements for retakaful.

14 For People who want to know Fiftieth Edition April 2021 Fiftieth Edition April 2021 For People who want to know 15 PEACE OF MIND. PART OF THE DEAL.

16 For People who want to know Fiftieth Edition April 2021