#thyolo

By: The Malawi Star

Vincent Wandale, Supreme Leader of the People’s Land Organisation, in an exclusive exchange with The Malawi Star, has provided all documents relating to the formation of the United States of Thyolo and Mulanje, including notes from previous meetings with Government about this issue, speeches delivered, documents submitted to the United Nations and independent studies on the regions of Thyolo and Mulanje.

Wandale: Declares Thyolo and Mulanje as a State

Earlier today we reported that Patricia Kaliati, The Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Civic Education, called PLO’s leader Vincent Wandale “a mad man.”

Since then, Mr. Wandale has provided The Malawi Star with a treasure trove of documents related to the formation of this new Sovereign State.  All documents are provided below via clickable link in their original, full context.

Wandale has released all of these documents to the citizens of Malawi stating, “the people must know the truth.”

Make sure to follow The Malawi Star for developing updates on this story.

PLO United Nations Petition

PLO speech on Colonial Land

Organisational profile PLO final

ISSUES AGREED WITH THE PRESIDENT ON THE MEETING HELD AT SANJIKA PALACE ON 15TH OCTOBER 2015

Grounds for Declaration of Independence

Registration of PLO

RESPONSE TO HON BON KALINDO

NOTICE OF NEW SOVEREIGN STATE IN THYOLOAND MULANJE

Rural Radicalism and the Historical Land Conflict in the Malawian Tea Economy

Afr Aff (Lond)-2016-Chinigò-97-118-2

PLO Letter to Estates February 5, 2015

Addendum to 23 december press statement

The PLO Saga Continues as Wandale Challenges his Opponents

By: Feston Konzani

The ongoing saga concerning the People’s Land Organisation’s (PLO) declaration of the United States of Thyolo and Mulanje refuses to dwindle into oblivion.

Two Nations from One?

Recently, The Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Civic Education, Patricia Kaliati, called PLO’s leader Vincent Wandale “a mad man.”

“He is mad due to the medication that he is taking and the government will pay him no mind,” Said Kaliati.

Responding to these claims, Wandale is now accusing Kaliati of defamation because such claims have to be backed up by medical documentation.

“That information has to be backed up by medical reports. I work with the Ministry of Agriculture and I don’t think the Ministry can accept to work with someone who can be considered mad.  I am ok, only that they think they can shield people from reality by trying to tarnish my image. And defamation is a crime according to the laws of Malawi. So as people who are supposed to be at the forefront in protecting and upholding the constitution, they are not leading by example.  PLO is not Wandale, it is a Peoples’ run organization and trying to castigate me personally is indeed a gross form of misrepresentation to the people who are directly affected by the issues that we are raising,” said Wandale in an exclusive interview with The Malawi Star.

When asked whether the PLO is a registered organization according to the Laws of this country and whether there was any legal basis for its existence in Malawi, Wandale was quick to point out that those who want to know anything regarding the PLO’s legality should consult the Registrar General and find the information from there.

Once again reiterating that the PLO is not a “one-man operation,” despite misinformation from various state bodies and individuals, Wandale raised the point that the people in the affected areas have for many years been trying to engage the government in meaningful discussions in an attempt to address the crucial issues facing Thyolo and Mulanje, but they have been marginalized because their own government has failed to offer any solutions to the situations facing them.

“I have met the President who also met some of the members of the organization on these very issues, but nothing tangible transpired.  We issued the government three notices about how they would deal with these and suddenly I am a mad person? By resorting to personal attacks it just goes to show that they have nothing to say,” Continued Wandale.

When pressed on whether as a Sovereign state, they intended to have their own currency, travel documents and all amenities that a state should have, Wandale pointed out that the PLO was ready to do whatever it takes as a sovereign nation.

“We are at the very primary stages, but we are moving in the right direction when it comes to settling and setting down the necessary requirements whether it be currencies, passports, judiciary and the likes. We are a sovereign state just like any other.”

“What we have not discussed with the Malawian government is the form of our relationship because they are still in denial about the whole thing. But if they think that this is just Wandale talking, then they should take a bold step and call for a referendum so that the people from these districts can decide for themselves.”

“There was a referendum in Scotland not so long ago. People decided and made their voices heard, why not Malawi?”

Wandale then switched to one of the most volatile issues raised by the PLO concerning these highly valuable and profitable regions of Africa, stating that “these are the views of those worst affected by the existence of the fraudulently obtained land run by the tea estate owners,”

When questioned whether there have been any reports or otherwise that has been published regarding how the land was fraudulently obtained, Wandale mentioned The Presidential Commission of Enquiry on Land Policy Reform which was commissioned by the President of Malawi in 1999 and it concluded that the land owned by the Tea Estates was fraudulently obtained.

He went on to say that among the bodies that funded the production of the Report is the UNDP.  The authors of the report, according to Wandale, signed an oath that they would not disclose the contents of the report.

“Ironically, the authors of the report were told to take an oath that although they were the commissioners of the report, the findings will not be revealed to the public by them because it was confidential. Until now, not many people know of the existence of such a report as well as its findings.  I have a copy of it and that’s why I can boldly say that these people are thieves.” (emphasis added)

“Self-determination is a right according to the United Nations to which Malawi is a signatory. So why are they forcing us to remain Malawians when we have the right to determine and decide our own future through a referendum? There is a contradiction here, because Malawi as a UN signatory is refusing our right to self-determination,” continued Wandale.

When pressed on the issue of whether or not the state was recognized by any international bodies, Wandale responded by saying that they were a sovereign state according to the UN Charter, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and according to the International Covenant of Economic and Social Rights which recognizes that self-determination is a right.

It was also put to Wandale whether calls for a treason case should be leveled against him and the entire members of the PLO and whether they were afraid of their lives since treason is punishable by death. Wandale said that they had already considered this and that it was a risk they were willing to take, but that they were not willing to sit idly by.

“If it is treason, it can only be decided by the courts and not any other Minister. But the courts will also have to consider the basis for our actions.  If the Malawi government acted on these issues, when we first presented to them on several occasions, we would not have reached this point,” Explained Wandale.

On whether he was doing this for fame, money or martyrdom or just a move to confuse and divide the people of this country, Wandale said that they were and have not received any funding from anyone regarding these issues or anything to do with the PLO.

“There is and has never been anyone behind us in terms of funding.  Those who think there are some people funding us should say ‘these people’ are behind the campaign and not ‘some people’ are funding us.  In fact, our organisation is one of the most unsupported organizations in Malawi. We only have the faith and the belief that what we are standing for is right and nothing else,” Said Wandale.

Meanwhile, The Malawi Star has obtained the PLOs Constitution as well as PLO’s Grounds for the Declaration Of Independence of Thyolo and Mulanje Districts From The Republic of Malawi in which the first article reads as follows:

“When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and assume among the powers of the earth the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation,”

Efforts to speak Human Rights activist Edge Kanyongolo on the issue proved futile as his number went unanswered and unreached in other attempts.

By: Chikondi Magalasi

In what can only be called a catastrophic loss to Malawi as a nation, Thyolo and Mulanje have finally separated from the nation of Malawi, according to PLO Leader Vincent Wandale.

Wandale: Declares Thyolo and Mulanje as Sovereign

Responding to a press release from the Ministry of Information and Civic Education last week, Peoples Land Organisation leader, Vincent Wandale, has finally declared both districts are now a separate nation.

He claims that what Patricia Kaliati and the rest of the staff at the Ministry of Information have reported is only designed to confuse the matter, as they are aware of the situation.

“What the Ministry said is only to compromise the matter, they know that the solution for this matter is a referendum,” said Wandale.

Wandale further confirmed to The Malawi Star that the  United States of Thyolo and Mulanje has already formed its own constitution which is now available.

He said their constitution is completely different from that of the Nation of Malawi, and that  it states that the leader of the newly formed country will be chosen through the Supreme Council, hence he denied being referred to as President of the new nation.

“We have a Constitution which is different from others and you can send me your email address so that I can forward it to you,” challenged Wandale.

The PLO torch bearer insisted and challenged that their Country is the richest in the whole continent of Africa, as it generates approximately the same revenue in one month as the rest of Malawi does in an entire year.

“When we say Malawi then is Thyolo and Mulanje where there are tea Estates. We can say that we are the only richest Country as we make about US$4 billion per month which is a total budget of Malawi,” explained Wandale.

He added that very shortly criminal cases will commence against the tea estate owners in order to find out how they acquired the land which they are now using to grow their tea.

“Yes very shortly we will meet to choose our Chief Justice who will preside over the charges which will be levelled against these thieves, ” added Wandale.

Stay with The Malawi Star as we continue to report on this developing story.

By: Trifonia Chagoma

Barely few days after Traditional Chiefs from Thyolo and Mulanje districts disowned Leader of People’s Land Organisation (PLO) Vincent Wandale, a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Parliamentarian for Mulanje Central, Bon Kalindo has labeled Wandale as a disorderly person.

  Wandale part ways with Kalindo

Kalindon has further announced his withdrawal of Mulanje people from any partnership with the organization headed by Wandale.

  Recently Wandale has been making headlines calling for the two tea growing districts Mulanje and Thyolo to become a sovereign state over land wrangles.

In an interview with The Malawi Star, Kalindo said people of Mulanje they have decided to disassociate themselves from Wandale’s group describing it as a political movement with ill motives.

Kalindo has branded his long time land campaigner as someone who is an outcast and bringing confusion for calling on the two tea growing districts Mulanje and Thyolo to become a sovereign state.

Explained kalindo in an interview “Wandale has lost direction and I have pulled off from the campaingn. I am no longer working with him from now onwards.”

Recently he blamed the Malawi Government under President Peter Mutharika for failure to resolve the long-standing land wrangles between communities and tea estate owners.

“We are seeking declaration of the two districts to be a standalone state-nation after the lapse of a 90 day ultimatum which he gave to president Mutharika,” said Wandale

Kalindo blamed Wandale for being unrealistic citing he has no power or authority to give the president a 90 day ultimatum.

“It’s very disrespectful and rude to give the whole president an ultimatum.  It seems he is doing this for personal gains, “said Kalindo.

Efforts to hear from Wandale proved futile as we went to the press.

By: Chikondi Magalasi

  Just a few days after The Malawi Star reported that some angry people in two tea growing  districts , Thyolo and Mulanje, have vowed to form their own Nation, Chiefs in the districts have brushed the idea aside.

Ngolongoliwa With APM

The Chiefs from the  districts had a meeting on Thursday at Senior Chief Ngolongoliwa’s Mtundawosema Headquarters in Thyolo district in which they discussed to summon Vincent Wandale a torch-bearer for the move of forming the State.

Wandale, who is the leader of Peoples Land Organisation (PLO), recently said People in the districts are tired of the Malawi government for failing to resolve their concerns against Tea estates owners in the two districts.

The PLO leader claimed that there are idle lands owned by estate owners of which people in the districts can use for cultivation in order to feed themselves. He called the newly formed nation as United States of Thyolo and Mulanje.

Speaking after the meeting, Senior Chief Ngolongoliwa who was the Chairperson of the meeting asked the Police to nab and bring him to them so that he should explain what he is saying regarding forming a State since he has never approached them.

He further said that Wandale has no power to challenge President Peter Mutharika on such an issue, therefore he ordered that he must be arrested as he is stealing money from the people.

Land has become an issue in Mulanje and Thyolo (Photo File)

“This man should be arrested because he has swindled peoples’ money under the pretence that he will give them land. We know very well that land in the districts is a problem but that cannot warrant anyone to challenge the government let alone come up with an idea of forming a ‘state’,” said Ngolongoliwa.

Meantime Wandale has said that he is not shaken up with what Chiefs are saying and has assured them that he is ready to face them for discussions. He further claimed that some of these Chiefs are aware of the issue because he approached them sometime ago.

Despite demanding the idle lands from estates Owners, PLO is also claiming some money for all used estate land from 1914 from people who own estates in the two districts.

By: Chikondi Magalasi

Malawians will be patiently waiting to see what will happen to President Peter Mutharika if plans of forming an independent nation for people in his district Thyolo and Mulanje are fulfilled.

Malawians working in tea estates

Some angry concerned people from two districts have vowed to go ahead with their idea of forming a State through an organization called Peoples Land Organization (PLO) claiming that Malawi government has failed to address their land concerns with European Estates Owners in the districts.

PLO Leader, Vincent Wandale said local people from Thyolo and Mulanje want the lands that are idle and belongs to Europeans be given back to them.

Wandale challenged those saying that the two district will struggle economically once disband from Malawi.

He said the two district will generate enough money compared to Malawi government and in no time will be ranked the richest in the African continent.

” United States of Thyolo and Mulanje  is the richest State in Africa, it makes close to US$4 billion per month when we sell macadamia nuts which is a total budget for Malawi per year,” claimed Wandale.

He however further questioned the legitimate government by letting these Estates not to pay tax. He insisted the situation will change once the two district become independent.

“Why is Malawi leaving these people to steal by not paying tax to the government? once we fulfill this and become United States of Thyolo and Mulanje they will be paying,” uttered PLO Leader.

Responding to PLO claims, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Samuel Tembenu admitted that he is aware of the matter but he called for patient.

“Government has been looking into the matter, these Estates that are in Thyolo and Mulanje have been there for a long time, so they need to be patient,” said Tembenu.

The Justice and Constitutional affairs Minister further urged Malawians to stop giving specified period of time to authorities to address the issue.

“Let’s learn to have patience, we should not give ultimatums to the government to resolve any matter, this cannot be so helpful,” added Tembenu.

Reacting to Minister remarks, Wandale cited that the matter resurfaced in 2009 and government has failed to address the issue.

“We have waited for so long and we are tired, we want to take another action using laws,” said Wandale.

Apart from demanding for the idle land from the Estates owner, the organization is also claiming some money for all used estate land from 1914 from people who own estates in the two tea growing districts.

Malawi’s tea industry started around 1800’s by colonial masters and the industry occupies thousands of hectares of land which are believed to have been grabbed from natives.