Ex-soldiers in Mchinji form Comsip Network

Former soldiers from the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) have regrouped in Mchinji District and formed a group called Retired MDF Comsip Network with an aim to do investment and savings to sustain their lives.

Retired warrant officer class two Ephraim Kachepa, the group’s spokesperson has confirmed when Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Jeffrey Kamanya visited the group on Thursday.

“This is a grouping of retired soldiers, the soldiers’ widowed spouses and its main objective is to do savings, help each other with loans so that we can sustain our lives outside the military barracks,” said Kachepa.

Currently, the group has 34 members and 14 are females. The group started last year and has raised about K1 million. Some of their activities include selling baking flour and rearing pigs.

Teleza Zayambika, widow to late warrant officer class one Zayambika of Cobbe Barracks has benefited from the group and is rearing pigs, which she has managed to sell for K35 000 each.

“Apart from selling the pigs, I also get manure for use in my garden. The Comsip group has really helped me since my husband died. I urge the retired soldiers and their spouses to form similar groups wherever they are,” she said.

Kamanya hailed the soldiers.

“I am glad with the MDF soldiers and I know the kind of life such people lead when they retire. You can even form a Comsip security company and I believe it can be powerful and feared by the thugs. That way you can win a lot of security tenders. You are retired but not tired,” added Kamanya.

In a related development, Kamanya also hailed Timachedwa Comsip in the same district. It comprises serving and retired civil servants.

Comsip operations manager Harold Dunga disclosed that there are around 45 000 Comsip groups in the country with about K572 million cash in circulation as loans, the value excludes assets.

“The figure could double in the next three or four years if we sustain the current growth rate,” he added.