MZUZU—Vice Pres Khumbo Kachali and Harry Mkandawire, a businessman and ruling People's Party member, will build a shelter estimated to cost K35 million at Mzuzu Prison in an effort to ease congestion, according to Pres Joyce Banda who is calling on Malawians to help government in such matters.

Making the announcement on Sunday in Mzuzu where she donated food items to 500 inmates, Pres Banda said there was need for people to set aside their political differences and work together on such issues.

"The reasons people come here remain diverse,” she said, citing cases of women inmates jailed after fighting abusive their husbands. In one case, a husband was killed and in another he became blind.
She said prisons are for reform and not condemnation.

Pres Banda was in Mzuzu where Malawians commemorated the deaths of 19 people during last year’s nationwide anti-government protests.

The protests were staged to bring to the attention of the Mutharika regime the high cost of living and fears that people’s rights were being denied.

Mutharika, who was increasingly becoming autocratic, died suddenly in April from a heart attack. Then Vice Pres Joyce Banda was sworn in as president to finish the remainder of the term which will end in 2014.
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©2012 The Maravi Post. Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgment.