6 rescued, 4 still missing including ESCOM staff from capsized Marine Police boat on Shire River

The Shire at the initial flooding By Duncan Mlanjira As of Saturday, Malawi Police Marine Unit and Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) rescued 6 people who were in a boat that capsized in the Shire River at Kasisi in Chikwawa on Thursday evening but 4 are still missing. A statement from ESCOM said out of the rescued victims, one is their staff member, two Marine Police officers and three local community members of Chikwawa. Two other ESCOM staff…

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Much contested for VAT on cooking oil removed; Also abolished on household tap water

Finance Minister Sosten Gwengwe * A number of taxpayers complained that VAT is affecting their business and thus the government saw merit in that * Government aims to reduce tax burden on the low and middle-income By Duncan Mlanjira Value added tax (VAT) that was factored to years ago, which was attributed to have contributed to the increase of the commodity, has been scrapped off. This is contained in Finance Minister, Sosten Gwengwe’s Budget that was presented in Parliament…

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Castel Malawi sells off Malawi’s historical company SOBO to Coca-Cola Beverages Africa

Products of SOBO * Employees shall be split between the two companies and any excess staff will not be retrenched—sources * To avoid giving them any retrenchment packages instead they will be held at Castel * And will be fired one by one through staged disciplinary grounds * Castel has been removing contractual benefits without employees consultation, using harsh and obscene language * Staff Union is seeking a court injunction prohibiting final approval of the sale of part By…

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NICO Asset Managers to provide free advisory services for the success operations of Science and Technology Fund

Dunga and Gama presenting the sponsorship to the Commission’s entourage * Science and technology help contribute towards the country’s economic growth * The sector provides numerous leads to the growth of any nation * Investing in this Fund is a step in the direction towards that growth * With necessary financial information, guidance and drive, this Fund will definitely meet all its intended goals By Duncan Mlanjira NICO Asset Managers has pledged to provide free advisory financial services for…

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Corruption suspect Batatawala whistleblows on State House staff using President Chakwera’s name to swindle him

President Lazarus Chakwera * Staff warned of serious consequences once found including immediate dismissal * This is reprehensible conduct which could put the state residences and the image of the state president in disrepute * The violations include soliciting and/or receiving money from prospective bidders of public procurement * In exchange for a promise to influence the awarding of contracts of public goods, services and works Maravi Express Businessman Abdul Karim Batatawala, who is facing charges of corruption together…

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Construction of Shire Valley irrigation canal’s intake needs to be redesigned after been compromised by Cyclone Ana

State of destruction on first siphon after intake * Construction works temporary suspended on two affected parts — the intake foundation and part of Siphon 1 * All other structures on the canal are intact; over 4kms of the canal has been lined with concrete * 2 of 3 bridge crossings have been completed and that works on bridge 3 have started By Duncan Mlanjira The Shire Valley Transformation Programme (STVP), through the Ministry of Agriculture, has re-engaged the…

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Illovo Sugar Malawi Plc posts K20.5bn net profit representing 647% increase

By Duncan Mlanjira Illovo Sugar Malawi Plc financials for the year ended August 31, 2021 saw a revenue increase of K163 billion from K147 billion during the same period of 2020 which represents an increase of 11%. From this revenue, the company posted K20.5 billion as net profit, representing 647% increase while operating profit had an increase of 293% at K32 billion. The company has declared a dividend of K14 per share but a final dividend of K4 per…

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Malawi included in UN Economic Commission’s implementation of complementary technical assistance for SADC’s SME response to CoVID-19

Eunice Kamwendo, ECA subregional office director for southern Africa * Seminar focused on country experiences and a focus on ‘building back better’ in Mauritius * ECA aims to first strengthen the capacities of MSMEs in southern Africa * Target countries for these projects are Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia * To effectively respond to CoVID-19 and bounce back stronger * Also to strengthen MSME capacities to design and apply innovative approaches to resilience building By Duncan…

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Illovo Sugar Plc responds swiftly on its surrounding communities in distress soon after Cyclone Ana

After shocks of the disaster in the Lower Shire * Provided tents and piped water to the flood victims * Refurbished a maize mill to enable communities to continue processing maize for food * Set up the continuing supply of potable (drinking) water to the estate villages and Nchalo trading centre * Completed the temporary repair of the Nchalo/Bereu road to allow for easy movement between Nchalo and Chikwawa boma * Worked in close cooperation with the Government to…

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9-month period revenue growth for Airtel Africa Plc at US$3,492m representing 21.7%

* The highlights of the report include constant currency underlying revenue growth that was recorded across all regions * Nigeria up 29.0%, East Africa up 24.4% and Francophone Africa up 19.0% and across all key services * Revenue in Voice up 16.1%, and in Data and Mobile Money both up 37.2% By Duncan Mlanjira Airtel Africa Plc’s results for nine-month period that ended December 31, 2021 indicates that revenue grew to US$3,492 million — representing 21.7% growth while constant…

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