Missional Law is so excited that on 17th September 2024 has been able to get Kanenani Kanthuumalawa released from Ntchisi Prison. Kanenani was arrested on 26th November 2022 by Nambuma Police Unit in Lilongwe on allegations of causing the death of his cousin. On 21st November 2022 Kanenani was selling beer (locally known as Kachasu) at Nambuma Trading Centre. Previous day the deceased came and drunk beer on credit note. On this day he wanted to crack credit of which Kanenani refused. The deceased used force to take a bottle of beer and drunk uncontrollably. By refusing him, he started the quarrel and assaulted Kanenani who was the owner of the business. Kanenani tried to avoid his bad intentions, but the deceased continued to assault him. Some customers at the place pushed the deceased away together with Kanenani and they fellow into a drainage. The deceased got injured and was taken to the hospital where he died after two days. Upon hearing the story during an interview with Kanenani at Ntchisi Prison, Missional Law did a serious village investigation to find out more about the story. A bail application was written because the investigations were successful. The High Court of Malawi approved that Kanenani was innocent, and he was granted bail on 11th September 2024. Missional Law had to pay for his bail bond. Missional Law also bought him some new clothes and gave him transport fair from Prison to his community. This news brought joy to his wife whom by the time she heard the voice of her husband on the phone call she cried, laughed and sung songs of Praise for the Miracle. Missional Law found Kanenani leading one of the popular Malawian songs which talks about Pual and Silus, but he didn’t know that it was his day. His release has made a lot of inmates to believe in God. Now, he has been reunited with his family. Love and Justice have no boarders.
Owen Chikwati and Harris Fosi were arrested by Kanengo Police Station. The two appeared in court at Nkukula Court on B/theft. Owen and Harris were supposed to stay in prison for five years but only stayed there for a few months because Missional Law intervened. Missional Law conducted a Camp Court on 13th July 2024 and these two were part of the inmates who benefited only that their release was delayed. Our paralegal Officer Moses Chione work so hard to find out what was the contributing factor to the delay. It was found out one officer was corrupt and he had charged the sureties $45 for each inmate to be released. Missional Law worked with the Chief Prosecutor and the Court to help the Owen and Harris who were later released, and the officer was warned. Beginning from the Camp Court, Missional Law has helped the two by paying their Bail fees, granting their Sureties transport to travel to the Court and Police. In additional to that, the organization bought some clothes for the two. We thank God because Owen and Harris are now home transformed and happy with their families.
CHIFUNIRO CHIWOMBADANGA
On 22nd July 2024, Missional Law went to Ntchisi Prison to get Chifuniro Chiwombadanga released after a successful Bail Application of 5th July 2024. Chifuniro was charged with an offense of murder. As a Butcher man he made a lot of relationships in the community were the deceased used to come and cause trouble. One day the deceased met Chifuniro and started causing trouble at his shop. Chifuniro tried to avoid the deceased intentions that day. The deceased started a fight and wanted to stab Chifuniro who was busy doing his business and had tried so much to avoid his bad intentions. Chifuniro tried to defend himself from the deceased who had his knife ready to stab him, but he tried so hard to wrestle the deceased accidently the deceased got stabbed by his own knife and he was reported died later. Chifuniro surrendered himself to the police station. Missional Law followed the whole story and worked with the Malawi Legal Aid to helped Chifuniro who had stayed in Prison for one year. Chifuniro was supposed to be in Prison for the rest of his life but now he has been reunited with his family and community. Justice has no boarders.
BENITO WHITE AND TIYAKO KOLASE
Benito White and Tiyako Kolase are illegal immigrants from Mozambique. These two were arrested by Dedza Police and later thrown into Dedza Prison where they stayed for a month and ten days. Both Benito and Tiyako are married and have kids. During their time in prison, their families had no idea concerning the whereabouts of Benito and Tiyako. The two were charged fines of which they failed because they had no relation who could help them in a foreign land. As a result, Benito and Tiyako lost hope. They were to stay in Dedza Prison for the next six months. When Missional Law visited the Prison on 12 June 2024, it was an answered prayer for Benito and Tiyako. Missional Law paid their fines and the two were released instantly. Missional Law also bought clothes for the two and escorted them to the Malawi-Mozambique boarder. The two were given transport to Mozambique. Now, they are reunited with their families back home.
Yusuf's Story
In our October, 2019 visit we were able to secure the release of Yusuf Chingeni from Dedza prison. His release was nothing less than miraculous. Yusuf, who is a father of five children, was charged with recklessly causing a serious accident on the basis that he was traveling approximately 10 miles over the speed limit. He was charged with this despite the fact that the accident happened at night, an oncoming car had their high beams on that blinded him, and the vehicle he struck did not have any lights.
His release could only be secured through the payment of $200 ($100 for restitution and$100 fine), which was required to be paid no later than the date we were at Dedza. Without this payment, he would be required to serve significant prison time. After we completed our interview, Yusuf informed our team that his sister, Grace, had just finished visiting him and had raised half the funds for his release. We obtained Grace’s number from Yusuf and was able to reach her just before she boarded a bus back to Lilongwe. When Grace returned to the prison, she informed us that she had raised $100 for Yusuf’s release and had brought the funds with her that day. When we informed her that we would provide the remaining $100 for her brother to be released, she fell to her knees, raised her hands up, lifted her head to the sky and exclaimed “Thank you Jesus”. Her purse tipped over in the process and out slide a well-read Bible.
This took us by surprise because Yusuf was clearly Muslim. It turns out that Grace is the only Christian in her family and is regularly persecuted as a result. Yet, she was the one who Yusuf called when he needed help and was the only family member to regularly visit him in prison. She explained that she showed up to the prison that day with money in hand believing that God would provide the remaining amount. Once Yusuf was released, we drove him and Grace back to Lilongwe. It turns out that they live in the same neighborhood and within walking distance as Triza who works under Pastor Charles. Triza regularly ministers to their family and many of them have accepted Christ. We never know how God will show up when we travel to Malawi, but He always does. Yusuf’s story is just one of the many since we first visited Malawi in 2015.
August Camp Court Done
A few weeks ago we started preparing for a camp court as we usually do.
For those who are not sure;
Camp Court is an initiative where courts sit in prisons, as a way of quickly delivering justice to those who have over stayed on remand and the ill.
This time we met a few problems in getting ready for the Camp Court due to the Pandemic. This led to postponing the Camp Court to a future date. We prayed and since our God is good, we managed to have the Camp Court on 18 August, 2021. 13 People were shortlisted and 6 of them we released. Making it a successful Camp Court. It is a good thing to see our bothers and sisters getting out of prison to join their families again.
Thank you all for your prayers, God bless!
Visiting Maula and Bzyanzi with Love!
Every time we visit a prison, the inmates are happy to see someone coming from the outside just to spend some time with them. When that someone comes in with something to share with them, they receive it whole heartedly. On April 16, 2021, our team visited Maula prison with gifts for the inmates. We brought them different gifts including buckets which they can use for water storage, washing, or fit taps and use it for washing hands. They were also given toner for a school printer, note books, pens and more. Maula Prison (located in Lilongwe, Malawi) is our most visited prison.
Next day, on April 17, 2021, our team also went to another Prison located in a different city called Dowa. This is Bzyanzi Juvenile Prison. They have inmates ranging from 17 years to 22 years old. Our team visited them with gifts as it did in Maula the previous day. The gifts included buckets, cups, soap and Soya pieces (soya meat). Our brothers there received these gifts whole heartedly.
On top of these physical gifts, we did not forget to give all the inmates the most important gift which is the word of God! We encouraged them to stay in the faith, to be strong and courageous for the Lord is always with them.If you want to be part of this ministry or help in any other way you can contact us through the “About > contact us” button, sending a message through our Facebook page or through donating using the “Take Action” button on our home page and your help will be of good use in this ministry.
Spencer's Good News Again
Spencer Kang’oma was at Maula prison and released in 2019 during one of our Camp courts. In that same year August, we sent him to Central African Preaching Academy (CAPA) in Lilongwe, Malawi, where he was studying Expository Preaching. It was supposed to be a 1 year program but Covid made the studies longer due to closing down of colleges.
Even through ups and downs, Spencer managed to graduate on 25 March, 2021 with a Diploma in Expository Preaching. Some of our team members were there to witness this. After the ceremony, Spencer was escorted to his home with some of our team members. It has been an amazing journey for Spencer Kang’oma.
Two Women Finally Free
This is Manola Gadinala and zeburi Vusi (Mother and daughter) who have been in prison for 13 months. They were charged of murder. We managed to come in and help with their case. A few days ago they appeared at the High Court where our lawyer Wesley Namasala and our paralegal officer Moses Chione (in white shirt) helped with the case and we were waiting for their release this week.
Today morning was such a beautiful day for these two women. Pastor Charles Msukwa (red shirt), Moses Chione (white shirt) and other Missional Law members traveled to Dedza prison to witness the release of these women from prison and escorted them home. Pastor Charles gave them Bibles so that they can still stay close to the word of God. Thanks for your help and prayers. Continue praying for these women and all prisoners in Malawi!
Bright’s Story
Do you remember the story of Agnes and Bright Tembo? (Mother and Son)
This is Bright Tembo (a son to Agnes Tembo)
Bright has been in custody for more than 2 years without been given sentence. Missional Law came in so that his case could move by helping him appear before court.
On 10 September 2019, Bright appeared before court where Judge Dr Chifundo Kachale sentenced Bright to 21 months of which he has already served, translating to immediate release.
It was amazing to see him free at last as Mr Moses Chione our Paralegal took him home on the Missional Law bike.
Spencer’s Good News
This is Spencer Kang’oma (right) standing next to Pastor Charles. Spencer was released from Maula prison 5 months ago. Spencer has now been enrolled at Central African Preaching Academy (CAPA) where he will be studying Expository Preaching. It is good to see God in action.
Agnes and Bright
This is Agnes Tembo and Bright Tembo (Mother and Son respectively). They were accused of a joint criminal case in 2017. A summary trial which started back in 2017, ended today ( August 6, 2019) when Judge Dr Chifundo Kachale freed Agnes Tembo for lack of evidence. A sentencing for Bright Tembo is set down to 4 September, 2019. This is the Lord working. Continue praying for our friends in prison
The Release of Innocent Phiri
Innocent Phiri is a young man from Kasungu. One day he was offered piece work to herd some cattle from one place to another by two men. As they were herding the cattle, they were stopped by the cattle owner who accused them of stealing his cattle. The two men who hired him ran as they knew the cattle were stolen. Innocent remained with the cattle. This resulted in Innocent's imprisonment. The court granted him bail. Unfortunately, Innocent was unable to satisfy the amount of the bail. On 25 June, 2019 we went to Kasungu prison where we met Innocent. After hearing his story, we worked with a paralegal from Child Rights Advocacy Paralegal Aid Centre, the prosecutor and the court to secure his release. Innocent had been in prison for almost three months. We saw God’s grace and miraculous hand at work during the whole process. Now he is home with his family.
Joyce Released from Prison
Joyce, who was accused of illegal soiling, was released from prison and returned home to her 2 year child. A special thank you to Paralegal Officer Moses Chione and Pastor Charles Msukwa for their work on this matter.
Friday, September 14 - Camp Court at Ntchisi
Nineteen men were released from Ntchisi Prison as a result of a camp court that was organized and funded by H2O, Mosaic, Child Rights Advocacy & Paralegal Aid Centre, and Missional Law.
Wednesday, September 12
Missional Law hosted a legal clinic in Nathenje Village. Over 100 people were in attendance. The topics included land ownership, child marriage and violence against women.
Three Women and a Child Released from Dedza Prison
Three women and a child were released from Dedza Prison today and returned to their village. A special thank you to the members of Clovis Hills Community Church for their partnership and work on this case.
Friday, June 22
Mada and Foster were released from Kasungu Prison. We also took them to the local market to purchase clothes and shoes.
Tuesday, June 19 - 11 Released
Eleven men who had overstayed their sentences were released from Maula Prison as a result of a Camp Court sponsored by Missional Law, Live Love, and Child Rights Advocacy and Paralegal Aid Centre.
June 14 and June 18
We conducted interviews at Maula Prison on Thursday, June 14. We identified about 20 possible cases from a Magistrate Court in Lilongwe. We decided to visit the Magistrate Court on Monday, June 18. While at the Magistrate Court, a prisoner from Maula that was there for his court proceeding approached Paralegal Officer Moses Chione and told him that we needed to help his friend Never. According to his friend, Never was not eating and struggling with his health. The name sounded very familiar so I reviewed my notes from Thursday and realized that I had met Never and interviewed him. He had been in prison since April for abusive language. Upon reviewing his file at the Court we learned he could be released upon payment of $12. Needless to say, we tendered the $12 and secured his release. He lived in Lilongwe so we hand lunch with him and delivered him home. He lives with his adult nephew who was extremely happy and surprised to see him.