Chisomo Ngulube Writes

I was at one of the ATMs in Blantyre, Malawi's commercial city; the man in front of me appeared to be struggling to transact, although he did not seem like one of those who have never used the machine. To cut the story short, he was trying to make a cashless withdrawal but was miserably failing. It appeared he was expecting to transact by just pressing the cardless button on the machine, while the machine was asking him to enter some code/token. In case you're wondering, I did help him out! But I've seen a lot more people struggle, like I initially did.  The cardless service is convenient when you've forgotten your ATM card or you have like me waited for two months to get a card and find cheque books antiquated...So I decided to write, just in case... Here is how it works: You first need to download or have the MO626 Digital+ app from whatever app store you use. Once logged in to the app, select the Cardless Withdrawal Request icon. It will then give you two options: R...

  Malawi’s Ombusdman Martha Chizuma had just released a damning report into unprocedural, nepotistic, tribalistic and irregular recruitments at the Malawi Communications Regulatory (MACRA), ahead of her confirmation appearance before the Public Appointments Committee (PAC) of Parliament for the job of Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) director. This report was not a first, she had previously made hard-hitting revelations into abuse of office at the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority and the abuse of COVID-19 funds, to sample a few. In the reports, she recommended strong action that in some instances included firing of the officers involved. To sum it all, she stole the hearts of most Malawians who have been dying to see government take a strong aim at nepotism or any sort of favouritism in offering employment, promotions in government departments and institutions that draw from the public purse. Malawians were clearly placated by her nonsense approach to dealing with m...