Malawi Records 41 New Cases of Covid-19, 2 Deaths

Malawi has recorded 41 new coronavirus cases and two new deaths, now the number of recorded cases is 1265 while the number of deaths has reached 16.

Chairperson of the Presidential Taskforce on Coronavirus John Phuka announced the new cases on Tuesday.

The two victims are a 42-year-old man who died at Bwaila Hospital in Lilongwe and a 34-year-old man who died at Mchinji Hospital.

Out of the new coronavirus cases recorded, 30 are contacts of confirmed cases. Twenty of the locally transmitted cases are from Mzuzu (including on health worker), four from Lilongwe, two from Mchinji, two from Phalombe and one each from Nsanje and Blantyre.

According to Phuka, the two imported cases recently returned from South Africa and are from Mangochi and Salima. The other nine cases are still under investigation.

Out of the 1265 Coronavirus cases recorded in Malawi, 639 are imported while 581 are locally transmitted. There have been 260 recoveries.

Malawi has conducted 14, 173 coronavirus tests in 37 testing sites.

Meanwhile, Phuka has urged all Malawians to wear masks when in crowded places and and has encouraged those found positive to self-isolate.

Woman witnesses her house being burnt to ashes after she’s accused of having sex with 2 dogs

A woman witnessed her house being burned to the ground after she was allegedly filmed having sex with two dogs.

Tiffany Riley, 40, from Youngstown, Ohio, has been accused of engaged in a sex act with two Shih Tzu dogs.

Police started investigating the allegations against her in February and on Tuesday she was charged with sexual conduct with an animal and cruelty to companion animals, the Sun reports.

The footage was said to be circulating online.

Riley’s house then burned down – and detectives are yet to find out whether it was an arson attack or an accident.

The dogs have been taken to an animal shelter.

She is currently on bond over the misdemeanor charges and her next court date is July 20.

Killer pleads guilty to 13 murders

Joseph DeAngelo, the man known as the Golden State Killer, has admitted to 13 murders in a deal with US prosecutors meant to spare him the death penalty.

DeAngelo, who was a Californian police officer during his crimes in the 1970s and 80s, was arrested in 2018 after his DNA was found via a genealogy website.

The hearing in Sacramento took place in a large university ballroom, to allow for victims and families to attend.

He also admitted to numerous rapes, burglaries and other crimes.

DeAngelo, 74, is expected to be sentenced to life in prison in August at a second court hearing, where people hurt by his crimes will be allowed to read victim impact statements.

The sentencing is expected to be the culmination of a crime investigation that began in the 1970s and attracted worldwide attention.

DeAngelo’s crimes stretched across the state of California and led to nicknames such as the Visalia Ransacker, the Diamond Knot Killer, the Original Night Stalker and the East Area Rapist. Officials only later realised the crimes were all the work of one man.

The former police officer, Vietnam War veteran and auto mechanic was arrested in April 2018 after police tracked him down by matching his DNA with a genealogy website.

Investigators created a family tree dating back to the 1800s in order to identify him as a suspect.

Detectives followed him and collected a piece of rubbish he had thrown away, finding the same DNA recovered from several crime scenes.

Since then he has been kept in isolation in a Sacramento jail.

Prosecutors from the six counties where his crimes were committed agreed to hold Monday’s hearing at the Sacramento State University auditorium, which can seat 2,000 people, to allow for social distancing.

A crime scene photo released by the FBI

During Monday’s hearing, DeAngelo and his lawyers wore plastic face shields to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

He was brought into the courtroom in a wheelchair and used a cane.

Prosecutors noted his crimes had all taken place between 34 and 45 years ago and called the geographical scope “simply staggering”.

During the hearing, he was forced to say “guilty” to all his crimes and “I admit” to offences for which he had not been charged.

Sacramento County prosecutor Thien Ho said that after he was arrested in 2018, and left alone in an interrogation room, DeAngelo began speaking to himself, seeming to address a person within that he could not control.

“I did all that,” DeAngelo said, according to Mr Ho.

“I didn’t have the strength to push him out. He made me. He went with me. It was like in my head, I mean, he’s a part of me.

“I didn’t want to do those things. I pushed Jerry out and had a happy life. I did all those things. I destroyed all their lives. So now I’ve got to pay the price.”

However, prosecutors have expresses scepticism over whether DeAngelo’s words and actions are authentic, noting he once faked a heart attack after he was sacked from a job for shoplifting.

Fredokiss appears at High Court in Mzuzu

Well-known singer Fredokiss, real name Penjani Kalua appeared before the High Court in Mzuzu this morning.

Fredokiss together his two colleagues were arrested in Rumphi on June 23 by the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) soldiers for allegedly issuing cash handouts to voters during the fresh presidential election.

The case has since adjourned for 21 days to allow the state prepare its witnesses.

It is alleged that Fredokiss was dishing out cash to prospective voters to vote for the outgoing President Peter Mutharika.

But Kalua rejected the claims in a statement released on June 26, 2020.

“I am concerned with how the mainstream media reported the whole issue without facts from both police and myself. We were never arrested for distributing money and this is not inline with my beliefs, principles and values. Mine is a case of Mistaken identity.

“I felt you all deserve some information on what actually transpired,” wrote Kalua on his official facebook page.

AFCON moved to 2022

The Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football, CAF, has announced the postponement of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON to January 2022 citing the coronavirus pandemic.

The tournament had been scheduled to take place between January and February next year. The football governing body, however decided that the local version of the AFCON, the Championship of African Nations, CHAN, will take place in January 2021.

It had originally been slated to be played in April this year. Both competitions will be hosted by Cameroon.

In a March 2020 announcement suspending the 2020 CHAN, CAF Organizing after a meeting in Cameroon cited amongst others, the confinement of population in many countries, restrictions imposed on grouping of teams and officials and the closure of borders as well as disruptions in air links between many countries as factors.

At the time, the decision followed the postponement of the AFCON 2021 qualifiers by CAF. The African football governing body had earlier this year decided to maintain the organization of its competitions.

Decisions of CAF Executive Meeting – 30 June 2020

The committee decided as follows;

Total Africa Cup of Nations Cameroon 2021

After consultation with stakeholders and taking into consideration the current global situation, the tournament has been rescheduled for January 2022. The date for the final tournament and the remaining matches of the qualifiers will be communicated in due course.

Total African Nations Championship (CHAN) Cameroon 2020

The final tournament has been postponed till January 2021 in Cameroon.

“The CAF Executive Committee is satisfied with t the Cameroonian authorities for their commitment towards the hosting of the two competitions. Cameroon is ready to host either competition and are within schedule,” CAF President Ahmad Ahmad said.

Interclubs 2019/20 season

The Total CAF Champions League and Total CAF Confederation Cup, will resume in September with a Final Four (4) format. Semi-Final matches will be played in a single match.

Total CAF Champions League = Venue for Final Four to be decided

Total CAF Confederation Cup = Morocco will host the Final Four

Total Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2020

Due to challenging conditions, the 2020 edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations has been cancelled.

Meanwhile, the CAF Women’s Champions League will be launched in 2021. The format and other details will be communicated in due course.

Zonal Qualifiers for U-20 & U-17 Africa Cup of Nations

A meeting with the Organising Competitions for Youth Football and the Zonal Unions has been proposed to finalize the arrangements for the zonal qualifiers. Meanwhile, the U-17 AFCON will take place in July 2021.

Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations 2020

Following the withdrawal of Uganda, a new hosting bid will be launched for the organization of the final tournament either in 2020 or 2021.

Headquarters Agreement

CAF President Ahmad Ahmad commended the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt under the leadership of His Excellency Abdel Fattah El Sisi, who appended his signature to the 10-year agreement on 24 June 2020.

With the new agreement, CAF and its officials will benefit from immunities and privileges granted to diplomatic missions in the territory of the Arab Republic of Egypt in accordance with the 1961 Vienna Convention.

CAF Ordinary General Assembly

The 42nd CAF Ordinary General Assembly has been rescheduled for December 2020 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. As per the recommendations of the CAF Governance Committee, the Elective General Assembly will be held on 12 March 2021.

CAF Awards 2020

Cancellation of the 2020 edition. Major partners for the event, Pickalbatros Group, has re-affirmed their contractual commitment towards the next two (2) editions.

Financial Support to Member Associations

CAF has allocated an additional USD 16.2 Million to assist Member Associations to mitigate challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Each Member Associations will be entitled to USD 300,000.

Appointment of Commercial Director

Confirmation of the appointment of Ali Aissaoui as Commercial Director. Prior to joining CAF, the Moroccan served as Business Development Manager of FC Barcelona.

Update on Transform CAF 2021

There has been giant stride in the execution of Transform CAF 2021 which was launched during the CAF Executive Committee in Doha, Qatar, last February. The CAF Administration will continue with the implementation of the major points towards achieving the targets of the project.

Malawi Govt Suspends Awarding of Contracts

Reports indicate that government has suspended awarding of contracts with immediate effect.

According to a press statement issued by the Chief Secretary to the Government Zangazanga Chikhosi, the development is to pave way for a quick audit to determine a number of issues.

According to Chikhosi, this will help government to understand the “including transparency and credibility of processes and procedures followed and decisions made.”

The development has been backed with the provision of Corrupt Practices Act (2004), the Public Audit Act (2003), the Public Finance Management Act (2003) and the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Act (2017).

According to Chikhosi, the development is aimed at ensuring a corruption-free and fair contract Management, and prudence in public financial management.

The statement further asked heads of ministries, departments and agencies at any institution wishing to award a contract must contact the Office of Chief Secretary.

26-year-old Nigerian Man beats girlfriend to death for denying him Sex

A 26-year-old Nigerian man identified as Shagbada Erigga has been arrested by police for allegedly killing his girlfriend, Happiness Winifred, after she refused to have sex with him.

Erigga was paraded in court on Tuesday, June 30th. It was heard that Erigga invited Happiness, a mother of three, to his home to spend the night with him on June 21.

They later got into a heated argument after she refused to have sex with him.

In retaliation, he punched her three times. She slumped and died and then he dumped her body inside a well.

The police began an investigation after one resident reported to police that he went to fetch water in the well in his compound on June 25 and discovered a floating body.

When interrogated, Shagbada confessed to the crime but said he “accidentally” killed Happiness.

“On that faithful day of the incident, we were showering together and I asked her the reason she has been denying me sex but she was raising her voice on me and I slapped her and to my surprise, she slapped me back and I gave her just three blows at the mouth and another one on her neck. Next thing I knew, she fell slumped and died.

“When I discovered that she had died, I quickly carried her corpse and threw her inside a well in my compound because I was afraid and I didn’t want people to suspect me that I was responsible for her death.

“But a few days later, her corpse was discovered by my neighbour who wanted to use the well and he reported the case to the police and I was arrested.

“I regret my actions. I didn’t have intentions to kill her. She used to be my girlfriend. She had told me that she is a runs girl, that she already had three kids and I said no problem, and I promised to take her as my wife before that misunderstanding came up between both of us,” Erigga said

Items recovered from him include one hand bag, one Andriod Phone, a pair of underwear, a pack of condoms, a key, and slippers.

He is yet to be sentenced.

7 coronavirus patients killed after Egypt hospital gutted fire

A fire at a hospital in Egypt’s coastal city of Alexandria on Monday killed seven coronavirus patients, security and medical sources said.

Seven other people were injured in the blaze, believed to be caused by a malfunctioning air conditioner in an area designated for isolating COVID-19 patients, the sources said.

Firefighters stopped it spreading to other hospital buildings, and ambulances were dispatched to transfer patients to other medical facilities, the state-run newspaper Akhbar al-Youm reported.

The victims died of suffocation and hospital staff were among those injured, according to local media, which said an investigation had been launched.

Firefighters stopped it spreading to other hospital buildings, and ambulances were dispatched to transfer patients to other medical facilities, the state-run newspaper Akhbar al-Youm reported.

The victims died of suffocation and hospital staff were among those injured, according to local media, which said an investigation had been launched.

Egypt has so far registered 65,188 COVID-19 cases including 2,789 fatalities.

Health facilities in the North African country, like elsewhere, have been strained by the mounting number of infections, which have exceeded 1,000 a day since late May.

Source: Afriupdate

Chakwera has promised to consult nominees before incorporating them into Cabinet

The newly elected President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has promised to consult nominees before incorporating them into Cabinet.

Chikwera’s remarks follow a decision made by Modercai Msiska who refused to take up the post of Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.

“I am happy to report that Dr. Chilima and I have made great progress in the formulation of Cabinet.

“As per procedure, nominees for cabinet will be consulted before appointment, following which they will still be at liberty to reconsider accepting the extent or form of their involvement in the event that certain exigencies of public office demand a change thereof, with assurance of no remonstration or recrimination on my part. I will be announcing the rest of the Cabinet members very soon,” reads in part the statement.

On Monday, Chakwera released a partial Cabinet and he promised to release the remaining Ministers before his inauguration on July 6, 2020.
Chakwera and his Vice Dr. Saulos Chilima have hit the ground running with several changes in government departments.

The latest being the dissolution of boards of parastatals.

Man Beaten to Death By Unknown Persons

The Enugu state police command is currently investigating circumstances surrounding the gruesome murder of a 67-year-old man, Iloabani Eugene Anayo, by unidentified persons in Amamkpunato Achi, Oji-River on Tuesday, June 30.

A statement released by the spokesperson of the state police command, ASP Daniel Ndukwe, said a preliminary investigation shows that the deceased was found in Achi forest with several degrees of machete cuts on the head and neck regions.

Ndukwe said the corpse of the deceased man has been deposited in the mortuary.

He added that the state Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmad AbdurRahman MCPSS, MCJ, MNIM has directed the immediate launch of a full-scale investigation to apprehend and prosecute the fleeing culprits.

See photos of the deceased below.

Two Men from Zimbabwe Sentenced To Death For Killing A Taxi Driver

Two men in Zimababwe have been sentenced to death for killing a taxi driver.  New Zimbabwe reports that, Romeo Jambura, 29, and his cousin, Norest Tamangani, 31 were convicted after a full trial.

The two cousins unsuccessfully tried to deny the charges.

During the trial, the court heard that on 18 November 2018, the two cousins together with an accomplice identified only as Last and Tamangani’s girlfriend, Dallena Mary Makupe, hired a car which was being driven by the late Taruvinga Matiza.

They claimed that they wanted to go to Kuwadzana.  However, along the way, they directed Matiza to turn off the road.  When Matiza complied, the three men pounced on him and viciously attacked him while Makupe watched helplessly.

After killing Makupe, the three-man put his body in the car and transported it to Westgate, where they dumped the body.  After dumping the body, they then drove back to Domboshava where they stay.  Makupe was warned not to tell anyone what had transpired and threatened with death if she ever did so.

Following investigations, the police arrested Jambura, Tambangani and Makupe and charged them with murder.  However, the police were unable to locate Last and he remains at large.  Charges against Makupe were later dropped after the police noted that she had not been an active participant but was a victim of circumstance.

High Court judge, Justice Tawanda Chitapi sentenced the two cousins to death after noting that they had engaged in a spate of crimes which had been thought and planned in advance.  He also noted that the two did not show remorse for their heinous crimes.

In passing his sentence Justice Chitapi said

“The current case, the murder, having been committed in aggravating circumstances, the court has the discretion to impose any of the three sentences provided for. To be taken into account too is the societal interest in ensuring that a serious crime is adequately punished…

…the accused persons only stated that they were sorry that the deceased died after the court had asked counsel whether in view of the court’s findings that the accused were guilty, they had anything to say in regard to regretting their proven capability.

…The court also considered the manner of commission of the offense, the pre-planning, the theft of the deceased’s personal property and car, the vicious attack on the deceased and strangulation, the dumping of the deceased where he could not get help, the conduct of the accused after the crime of going to drink alcohol and being merry without ever looking back on what they had done and the want of remorse as showing a high level of moral blameworthiness.

“In the absence of the accused advancing any reason why the death sentence could not be imposed upon them, the accused would be sentenced as follows; each of the two is sentenced to death. Each of the two accused shall be returned to prison, there to be held until the execution of the sentence,”

Nkhata-Bay Director of Health and Social Services tests positive to COVID-19

Director of Health and Social Services-DHO for Nkhata Bay Dr. Mwatikonda Mbendera has tested positive to COVID-19.

Mbendera confirmed of the development in an interview with Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS).

He said he is currently in self isolation at his home.

Dr. Mbendera also disclosed that he has mild symptoms and he is asking all his contacts to go for testing, stressing that Covid-19 is real.